This chapel was built for Henry and Clara Ford in 1937 and named for their mothers. Mary was Henry’s mother and Martha was Clara’s mother. Pews and other church furnishings were constructed at the Ford Plantation carpentry shop. The Diocese of Savannah purchased the chapel in 1955 and it became St. Anne Catholic Church. Though St. Anne has a newer home, they still maintain this historic church.
My wife and I were married in this simple but beautiful chapel in May of 1991. It was a beautiful spring day, and we had a small reception in the parish house next door. We did not realize, until we got the post-ceremony photos back, that those tall windows on both sides of the sanctuary let in enough light that the photographer didn’t really need to use a flash, they turned out so well.
We also did not realize, until we saw the pix later, that the priest who married us stood on the top step of the dais on which the altar was placed, whereas my wife and I stood on the ground level. Because we were taller than he was, we all looked the same height from the front!
It was a beautiful day, one which I will never forget.
Were you ever able to get to the Ford mansion inside the gated community?
We never tried. Was this question for me or Brian?
I think it was for anyone who might have been there?