The records indicate that although Catholics were barred from
Georgia from its founding by Oglethorpe in 1733 until the
expiration of its charter in 1752, when it became a royal
colony, they were present in the Augusta area from the time of
the earliest explorations. The first visit of Catholics to the
Augusta area is recorded as 1540, with DeSoto's expedition. A
generation later, Captain John Pardo and his expedition from St.
Augustine came to Augusta. In 1755 a group of Acadians, in
exile, came to Augusta but were so hostility received that they
settled in the Carolinas instead. Augusta eventually began to be
settled by Catholics from France and Ireland. In 1810, a charter
of incorporation was obtained from the State Legislature, and
the number of Catholics had increased so far as to justify the
residence of a pastor. Under the direction of the first pastor,
Rev. Dr. Robert Brown, the congregation raised funds to erect
the first Roman Catholic Church in Augusta. Construction began
in 1812 and two years late