Nestled in the rolling hills of northwest Georgia, near the Alabama state line, is the small community of Cedartown. According to legend, circa 1800, the Cherokee Indians won the area known as Polk County by beating the original inhabitants, the Creek Indians, in a ball game. In 1826, Cedartown was established as a trading center; and in 1833, the first trading post was opened near the Big Spring and the first post office was established.
Over 100 years later, in 1935, early members of St. Bernadette’s Church met in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Najjar. Monsignor Joseph Cassidy celebrated the first Mass in Cedartown; thereafter, Mass was celebrated twice a week by the Reverend James R. Grady of Rome. Some of the earliest members of the church who attended these Masses were the Najjars, Mr. & Mrs. A. P. Gilmore, Dr. & Mrs. W. Lucas, Mrs. John Doehla, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Dickinson, Mrs. Clara Lindsey, and the Gyory family. Homer Lindsey built the wooden Baptismal font still in use at St. Bernadette’s.
In 1940, this group, along with new members of the Catholic community, decided to build a church. Prior to this time St. Bernadette’s was a mission parish served out of St. Mary’s in Rome. The project was undertaken under the guidance of Reverend James Grady, and in 1941 the present church building on the corner of East Avenue and College Street was erected. Dedication services were conducted by Bishop Gerald O’Hara. On January 13, 1943, the Redemptorist Fathers of Dalton temporarily assumed responsibility for serving St. Mary’s of Rome and St. Bernadette’s. This move relieved Father Grady of his pastoral duties in order for him to enter the armed services as a chaplain.
The Redemptorist Fathers cared for both churches until June 1, 1944, when Father D. McCarthy, a priest of the diocese, assumed charge. Father McCarthy served as priest until May 9, 1946. On that date, the Redemptorist Fathers again assumed charge of the church and continued in that capacity until July of 1957. Redemptorist priests serving from May of 1946 until July of 1957 were: Fathers John McCann, Daniel McGlone, Edward Meriarity, Raymond Govern, John Schomber, Gilbert McCormack, John Jerlinski, Anthony Kalb, Joseph Ellison and Bernard Crim, the last Redemptorist serving St. Bernadette’s.
In July of 1957, St. Bernadette’s officially became a parish, served by the Diocese of Atlanta; St. Bernadette’s was no longer a mission church. Diocesan priests serving from July of 1957 to present were: Fathers Donald Kiernan (56-57), John Stapleton (57-60)(deceased), Richard B. Morrow (60-65), Jarlath Burke (65-66)(deceased), Daniel McCormick (66-70), Henry Gracz (70), James Maciejewski (70-72), John O’Shea (71-73), Pat Mulhern (73-75), James Fennessy (75-77), Leo Herbert (77-81), Vincent M. Mulvin (81-83)(deceased), Patrick A. Bishop (83-89), Daniel Stack (89-95) Patrick J. Kingery (95-97), Richard Young (97-00), Jaime Barona (00-02), Rafael Castano was assigned to St. Bernadette’s as Pastor on 1/15/02 and currently serves as pastor.
When Msgr. Don Kiernan came to St. Bernadette’s in June of 1956 he was appointed the first pastor. The parish was made up of Polk, Haralson and Carroll Counties. According to Msgr. Kiernan, “In June of 1956 when I arrived in Cedartown, I rented an apartment on North College Street for six months and construction was begun on the rectory. Mr. Jerry Deckbar of Atlanta was the architect, and Benefield Company of Cedartown was the builder. The original plans included a hall to be added later. This design, however, was changed when Father Leo Herbert constructed the present parish hall.” Msgr. Kiernan left one year and three months after his arrival, and he said, “St. Bernadette’s assignment was my first parish. Priests always have a strong attachment to their first assignment, and I still feel that St. Bernadette’s is my family.”
Former parishioners remembered Fr. Kiernan’s deep involvement with law enforcement officials. Former Chief of Police W. M. Moss said, “Fr. Kiernan was quite a character; he made an excellent impression on the community with his work with the police.” The youth of the parish recalled his “speedy” transport of catechism students from one side of the county to the other. “He had a fabulous sense of humor, a big heart and a heavy foot”, said a parishioner who rode with the former pastor, “I thought he rode on angels wings, because he moved so swiftly down the road ways.”
Fr. Richard Morrow, served from September 1, 1960 to June 1, 1965. He said, “My memories of Cedartown are fond memories. I tell members of other parishes of the devotion of the families of St. Bernadette’s in daily Mass attendance, getting their children to CCD, and working on parish projects as a team. Plus, they were always kind to my dog, Belle.”
“Father Morrow was a constant visitor in our home. One of my husband, Ed’s, favorite stories about Fr. Morrow revolved around the church roof. The Men’s Club was working to repair the roof of the church and Fr. Morrow came to assist. Fr. Morrow didn’t have much experience with tools but he insisted that he fix the cross on the very top of the steep roof. He said that all the men working on that dangerous area had families and he felt he could handle the cross without endangering any of the men. So up he went, but when he got to the top – he froze. The Men’s Club had to remove him and then complete the repairs.”
Father Henry Gracz, who served from June – October 1970, reflected, “My time at St. Bernadette’s may have been the shortest pastorate in the history of the Archdiocese, since there was a crisis in St. Joseph’s in Athens which I was called to work through. However, the welcome and sense of belonging; which was offered has been the strongest of any parish I have ever served. You were genuinely a family offering your love and hospitality – even allowing me (!!!) the opportunity to work at the concession stand which the parish served at the county fair. Our food was better than the carney-folk had for their own employees! I recall being welcomed at family tables as a brother or friend, and finding the same welcome being given at the Lord’s table on Sundays to anyone who visited. Memories still are there of 18 wheelers downshifting at the signal in front of the church and rectory as they made their way to Gadsden, but always of a people who were generous in their love and care for each other.”
Father Patrick Mulhern, who was pastor from June 1973 to January 1975 stated, “I thoroughly enjoyed the community. For every priest who comes to St. Bernadette’s, the first thing that pops to mind is the very supportive group of people making up the family of the church.”
A parishioner said, “When I first think of Fr. Mulhern I think of his voice – it filled our little church with such joy. I remember him encouraging us all to sing in praise of the Lord, though he did tell Daphne Lindsey that he wished we had more voices like hers and fewer like Ed’s.”
Father James Fennessy was pastor from June 1975 to January 1977. A very close Catholic community existed between the Cedartown and Rockmart communities. My memory is that of many great people who loved their church and had a deep faith in Jesus Christ. There are many good people I still remember with affection, but I will decline to name them because I would omit some who richly deserve mention. Some have since gone to their eternal reward in heaven!”
Father Leo Herbert served as pastor from 1977 until 1981. In 1978 the parish hall, which joins the church to the rectory was built. “I truly enjoyed my four very happy years in Cedartown,” he said. ‘The people were tremendous; my backhand improved enormously and I learned something more of the game of golf.” Father Herbert introduced many of us to tennis. He taught me the game and the joy of the sport, which I enjoy to this day. On one beautiful Saturday morning he provided instruction to a large group of women at Peek’s Park; the ability level was greatly varied, novices to medium skilled players. We obviously tried his patience, but he prevailed. I still think he felt that undertaking difficult tasks would earn him credit in the afterlife, but I think he’d rather build another parish hall than teach another group tennis lesson to a bunch of Catholic women.”
Father Vincent Mulvin came to St. Bernadette in 1981. He was the first priest to celebrate Mass in Spanish. Father Mulvin died in the kitchen of what was then the rectory in March, 1983.
“A fantastic man, holy, kind, caring, generous, and warm.” When parishioners were asked to describe Fr. Mulvin, these were the top five adjectives used to describe him. No negatives were even stated. Stories of his compassion and his strength were fast and frequent off the lips of those who loved him. “Sometimes we forgot he was human because he was so good,” said a parishioner who was 20 years his senior,“ then we found out he was human when he died at such a young age. He touched so many lives so positively.”
Father Pat Bishop came to St. Bernadette in June 1983 and stayed until October 1989. During this time Fr. Juan de la Cruz came to say Mass in Spanish. Father Pat formed bridges with the community and other churches in Cedartown. During Fr. Pat’s tenure, Deacon Richard E. Machan became the first permanent Deacon to serve St. Bernadette’s. He served from May 1987 until his death in May 1994.
“My father once described Fr. Pat as a ‘banty rooster – cocksure he can do anything he sets his mind to! My mother thought she had found another son, and I had the opportunity to work with him in both the church and community venues. I remember when he and Virginial Voll had a television program and he reached so many people through that medium who would never have had contact with the Catholic faith.” Odell Owens once said, “Father Pat did a great deal for improving the church’s position and influence in the community.”
Father Dan Stack served as pastor from October 1989 to June 1995. Father Stack was the first bilingual pastor of St. Bernadette. During his time the Spanish speaking community grew by leaps and bounds. Fr. Stack built bridges between the English and Spanish speaking communities of St. Bernadette’s. Deacon Ron Comeau served St. Bernadette’s from June 1991 until June 1995.
Father Patrick Kingery served as pastor from June 1995 to August 14, 1997. Father Kingery increased the seating capacity of the church to meet the growing number of parishioners. He created a permanent place for the Blessed Sacrament in the main body of the church. He was accompanied by his beloved, faithful dog Coco, a four and a half pound Chihuahua.
Father Richard Young’s first assignment as pastor began on August 14, 1997, ending June, 2000. “Like many before me, St. Bernadette’s was my first pastorate, so I was thrilled to come. And I hated to leave! Whenever I’m feeling low, I remember the love and good times at St., Bernadette’s and immediately get a lift. The support shown to the poor, the sick, and the bereaved, the spirit of cooperation in our bi-lingual parish, and the Catholic witness to the people of Polk County from the little church by the Courthouse are indeed remarkable.”
Father Jaime Barona served as pastor from June 2000 until January 2002.
Father Rafael Castaño was assigned to St. Bernadette Church in January 2002 and served as pastor until June 2012. During his pastorate, the parish acquired the property on Evergreen Lane, where the present parish center and church facilities are now located.
In July 2012, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory assigned Father Timothy Gallagher as pastor of St. Bernadette Church in Cedartown. This appointment marked Father Gallagher’s first pastorate after serving as parochial vicar at St. Pius X Church in Conyers. Raised in a small Catholic community in Madison, Georgia, Father Gallagher brought with him a deep appreciation for close-knit parish life. Upon arriving at St. Bernadette, he described the parish as his “dream parish” and expressed joy in living his priestly vocation as a spiritual father to the community. Father Gallagher served the parish until June 2025.
On May 7, 2017, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, parishioners of St. Bernadette welcomed Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new parish center on Evergreen Lane. This celebration marked a decisive step toward a long-awaited new home for the growing parish community.
On June 24, 2018, the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory celebrated the Mass of blessing and dedication for the newly completed St. Bernadette Parish Center. The new worship and religious education center opened a new chapter in the life of the parish, providing much-needed space for Mass, faith formation, parish offices, an adoration chapel, classrooms, and community gatherings.
In July 2025, Father Miller Gómez-Ruiz was assigned to St. Bernadette Church, also beginning his first pastorate. Before coming to Cedartown, Father Miller served as parochial vicar at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Flowery Branch from 2020 to 2021, Transfiguration Catholic Church in Marietta from 2021 to 2023, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rome from 2023 to 2025.