Several years ago, I was working with a couple who was relocating to Richmond Hill from the West Coast. After two days of looking at homes in Richmond Hill, I still had not “sold” them on our fi ne community. We had toured the primary school, stopped at both of the marinas, eaten lunch—twice, toured the golf courses, and walked the recreation complex. I realized I may need some help.

I knew the couple was Catholic, but at the time, I did not know Father Joe Smith of St. Anne’s Catholic Church. With my customers in tow, I knocked on the door at St. Anne’s and told the lady at the front desk that we would like to see Father Joe. Much to my surprise we were soon sitting and chatting with the very busy Priest!

For the better part of an hour, we talked about his love for St. Anne’s and the community of Richmond Hill. Father Joe told us of the history of St. Anne’s Church—how it was built by Henry Ford in the mid-30s and named Martha-Mary Chapel after Ford’s mother and mother-in-law. On Sundays, the chapel was used for community non-denominational worship services, led by lay people. After Ford passed away in 1947, the church was not used.

Fortunately, Auxiliary Bishop Francis Hyland of the Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta learned of the difficulties of the 30 or so Catholics living in Richmond Hill at the time. It was hard making a 17-mile trip to Savannah for Sunday worship. Eventually, he arranged for Martha-Mary Chapel to become property of the Diocese and in 1955 it was solemnly dedicated. Th is marks the time when the Catholic community in Richmond Hill began to see growth.

Father Joe did a very good job selling my clients on our great town and his beautiful church; they are members of St. Anne’s today! That day upon leaving the church, I knew he was a man who I wanted to know better. Since then, Father Joe and I have had many interesting conversations about many things… the Catholic Church, our community, real estate, and politics.

Father Joe Smith grew up on Tybee Island and attended St. Michael’s at the beach with his family. During his childhood, he developed a great love and appreciation for the Catholic Church and our wonderful coast. After high school, he went on to Armstrong State College, where he completed his degree in Business Administration. He took a job with Savannah Electric after graduating. During his time in the corporate world, it was he who fi- gured out how much it cost Savannah Electric to produce electricity for its clients. While working with Savannah Electric he did a lot of volunteer work in Savannah with the homeless shelters and food kitchens.

By the time he reached his mid-thirties Father Joe realized that the corporate lifestyle was not for him. He felt he had a calling to become a priest, but was not completely sure. He decided to attend Seminary School in Baltimore, where he studied Undergraduate Philosophy at Loyola College and Pre-Theology at St. Mary’s University and Seminary. He received a Master’s of Arts Degree in Western Civilization and Church History and a Master’s of Divinity Degree from Saint Vincent De Paul University and Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. In the Catholic Church, the requirements for the ordination of a priest are four years of college with an undergraduate degree, one full year of college philosophy, and a four year Master’s of Arts or Master’s of Divinity degree. Father Joe holds all three!

During his Seminary years, his focus was personal spiritual development. Outside of Seminary, Father Joe taught scripture to teenagers at The School of the Cathedral in Baltimore. He worked in a prison as the Chaplain’s assistant, and as a pastoral assistant in a church in Florida. While holding a full load of classes, Father Joe also did a one-year internship at Hospice of Palm Beach, where he received certification in Hospice and Hospital Chaplaincy. He spent a semester in the Dominican Republic as part of a graduate program developed by Notre Dame, called An Emersion in Personal Powerlessness, Experiencing the Lives of the Third World Power.

The object of this course was to learn about poverty. “There is nothing

like learning hands on; I spent four months living in complete poverty.

With 15 people, I lived in an 800-square foot home where we ate mostly beans and rice and were paid two dollars per week. During the day we worked at an orphanage and daycare taking care of 1,500 children,” recalls Father Joe.

Since graduation from seminary school, Father Joe has worked as an

Associate Pastor for St. Anne’s Catholic Church of Columbus, Georgia,

Th e Church of Christ the King in Pine Mountain, and St. James

the Less Catholic Church of Savannah. Seven years ago, he moved to

Richmond Hill to become the Pastor for St. Anne’s Catholic Church.

In those seven short years, Father Joe has seen St. Anne’s grow from 350 families to 850 families!

He holds Mass three times a week, once on Saturday night and twice

on Sunday—for an average of 1,200 people. The historic chapel was not big enough to hold his congregation and in 2004, the church built Holy Family Hall, which can hold up to 950 people! The intent for the Hall was to use it as a temporary building for worship until the congregation can build its planned, larger church. The Martha-Mary Chapel will continue be used for special ceremonies such as weddings and funerals.

Upon coming to Richmond Hill, one of Father Joe Smith’s goals was

not only to be the Priest for St. Anne’s, but be a Priest for the community. He is proud that not all of those attending Mass are members of St. Anne’s or even affi liated with the Catholic Church. As stated by a former St. Anne’s Pastor, Doug Clark, “only in community with other people can man or woman find fulfilled humanity.”

Words from the community:

“Father Joe has been a great help to our family. He was very helpful to Mathew and Theresa when they were working to get married before Matt’s deployment to Afghanistan and he has been a true blessing

after Matt was killed. Father Joe is a real community asset.

Richmond Hill is a much better place because of him.”

— Gary Freeman

“Father Joe’s optimistic, cheerful manner brings a sense of promise and peace that transcends a single religion or set of beliefs.”

— Lynne Butler Bayens

“Father Joe brought peace and tranquility to my family prior to Owen’s death. He has taught me how to celebrate life even with the passing

of your loved one. He is a true inspiration and guiding figure to all in our community.”

— Janet G. Thayer

“I am a military wife and mother of three kids. My family has moved many times in the past few years and St. Anne’s is the first place where I have felt at home. Father Joe makes it easy to be Catholic.”

— Charlene Voge