History – Nuestra Historia

On August 9, 1985, Archbishop Thomas Donnellan established a new parish for western Douglas County from the mother parish of St. John Vianney in Lithia Springs. The Reverend Edward O’Connor was the first pastor of this new parish of about 250 families.

The first Sunday Mass of the new parish was celebrated on November 30, 1985 at the old Whitley-Garner Funeral Home chapel on Broad Street. In February of 1986, a building on Spring Street was rented in which to celebrate Holy Mass, and the people of the parish chose St. Theresa of the Child Jesus as its patron saint.

Construction work for the new church site on Prestley Mill Road began in February of 1988. The official groundbreaking on the ten-acre site took place on Sunday, April 10, 1988.

The first Mass, wherein the new but still unfinished church building was dedicated, was celebrated on February 1989 by Archbishop Eugene Marino. The stained glass window, designed by Rev. Fr. Methodius Telnack of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, was installed in April of 1989.

During the term of the second pastor (1991 to 1994), Rev. Msgr. Hugh Marren, four classrooms and a nursery were built in the basement of the new church. The St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Knights of Columbus council were established in the parish.

During the term of the third pastor (1994 to 1996), Rev. Fr. William M. Hickey, the rectory was renovated. Social and wedding committees were established.

During the term of the fourth pastor (1996 to 2001), Rev. Fr. Stewart Wilber, the RCIA was established in the parish. Additional stained glass windows were added on the sides of the church. Rev. Fr. Augustine Tran became the first parochial vicar in December of 1998. The new Parish Life Center was dedicated in the summer of 1999.

During the term of the fifth pastor (2001 to 2009), Rev. Fr. Richard Tibbetts, the Liturgy Committee was established. A new rectory was built in 2003. There were five parochial vicars during the term of Fr. Tibbetts: Rev. Fr. Sam Porres (2002-2003), Rev. Fr. Dennis Juan (2003-2004), Rev. Fr. Joseph Shaute (2004-2007), Rev. Fr. Jaime Rivera (2007-2008) and Rev. Fr. Dayro Rico (2008-2009).

In July of 2009, Rev. Fr. Fernando Molina-Restrepo arrived as the sixth pastor together with Rev. Fr. Bill Hao as parochial vicar (2009-2010). On July 7, 2010, Fr. Kizito Nkemjika Okeke and Fr. Michael Silloway were assigned to St. Theresa as the new parochial vicars.  There are currently four permanent deacons: Rev. Mr. Charles Patrick, Rev. Mr. Terry Holmer, Rev. Mr. Ron St. Michel and Rev. Mr. Israel Melara.

St. Theresa Parish has now grown to about 1,142 registered families.