Atlanta, Georgia: Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
The history of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Atlanta:
During the Civil War…or War Between the States…whichever you prefer to call it, the city of Atlanta was burned almost to the ground. There was one notable exception, however: the Catholic Church and several buildings in the city center were spared. This was through the efforts of Father Timothy O’Reilly, pastor of the parish.
In 1864, upon hearing of the order by General Slocum (a member of General Sherman’s staff) to burn down the city of Atlanta, Father O’Reilly sent word to the General that if they would attempt to burn down the Catholic Church they would risk massive desertions among their ranks, since many of the soldiers fighting with Sherman were Catholic.
As a result, the church was spared. The original wood building was simply called the Catholic Church, until it was named the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in 1873.
In later years it was replaced by a newer, more permanent structure, as the congregation grew. Then, in 1982, the church was partially destroyed in a fire and once again re-built.
Traveling to the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Atlanta:
Address: 48 M.L.K. Jr Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
GPS coordinates: 33° 45′ 1.4400” N, 84° 23′ 22.4952” W
Tel: +1 (404) 521-1866
e-mail: contactus@catholicshrineatlanta.org
Click here for the official website of the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Atlanta
