Important Moments
The Chapel's Origins
The Kennedy Chapel's origins can be traced back to 1882, when the Slade family first moved to Carrollton, Georgia. When the Slades discovered that there was no Episcopal church in the area, Almarine Slade decided to establish the first Episcopal congregation in Carrollton. This congregation was officially recognized in 1892.
Now, the Episcopal community needed a chapel. The Episcopal church decided that the chapel needed to be central to downtown Carrollton, so the Slades bought a plot of land for the chapel located on the corner of South White Street and West Avenue. The chapel was then consecrated on that land in 1893.
Transition to the Catholic Church
In 1952, the Episcopal community had grown, and they were now seeking a larger church building. Then, 60 years after the chapel was first consecrated for the Episcopal church, it was deconsecrated in 1953 and sold to the Catholic church.
The chapel housed the Our Lady of Perpetual Help congregation for about ten years, but they too eventually outgrew the space. In 1962, the Catholic church moved into their new home, and the chapel was donated to West Georgia College, now known as the University of West Georgia.
Chapel Movement
Chapel Relocation
Through a large community movement, money was raised to physically move the chapel from South White Street to the UWG campus. The goal was to raise $5,000 by December 25th, 1963, which amounts to about $50,000 today. This fundraising effort was particularly special because it was supported by a variety of religious denominations and everyday people.
After the dedication ceremony in May of 1964, the chapel was finally moved to the UWG campus in August of 1964.
The Dedication Ceremony
Arrival
Three months before the chapel was actually moved to campus, there was a dedication ceremony held for the John F. Kennedy Interfaith Chapel on May 26, 1964. For this event, United States Attorney General, Robert F. Kennedy, and his wife Ethel Kennedy, flew from Washington, D.C. to Georgia in order to attend the ceremony in person. The Kennedys first landed at the Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia. They then boarded another plane and flew to Carrollton. Once they were offically in the city, they drove to the university’s campus and made a stop at the Maple Street School to say hello to the elementary students.
The Ceremony
Ceremony
The ceremony took place in the area where the chapel now stands, and it was attended by almost 2,000 people from all around the community according to The West Georgian. The university's choir sang, news outlets like ABC filmed the event, and even a Girl Scout troop attended. Kennedy humbly thanked the school for choosing to name the chapel after his brother, and his remarks raised hope for inclusivity and equality. Then, Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. James E. Boyd took a shovel and broke the ground for the chapel.
Robert Kennedy's Arrival
Lunch and open forum
