About Most Blessed Sacrament · Atlanta, Georgia
Most Blessed Sacrament is a Roman Catholic parish in South Fulton, in southwest Atlanta, Georgia, belonging to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Atlanta. The parish was established in November 1960 from portions of St. Anthony's in West End and St. John the Evangelist in Hapeville, growing out of a 1958 Ben Hill mission. After a long stretch under the Missionaries of La Salette (1975–1992), pastoral care returned to the Archdiocese, and today the community is served by Father Desmond W. Drummer and Deacon Frederick Toca from its longtime home on Butner Road. The parish ministers to roughly 250–260 families through Sunday and weekday liturgy, faith formation for children and teens, RCIA, and ongoing adult enrichment.
- Established
- 1960
- Patron
- The Most Blessed Sacrament (the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist)
- Rector
- Rev. Desmond W. Drummer
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Atlanta
Why belong here
Most Blessed Sacrament offers the traditional anchor of a small, family-sized Catholic parish — two weekend Masses, a Wednesday noon Mass with Rosary, Saturday confessions, and First Saturday Eucharistic Adoration — wrapped around a real formation life: an active School of Religion for K–6, a Middle School Ministry (grades 7–8) and High School Youth Ministry (grades 9–12) preparing teens for Confirmation, and a robust RCIA for adults seeking baptism or full communion. The parish is rooted in a half-century of worship on Butner Road in South Fulton, with a dedicated Rosary Garden behind the church, monthly communal prayers of the Rosary, a 'What the Church Believes' adult series, men's Bible study, retreats through Ignatius House, and outreach to a diverse community of roughly 260 families. For Catholics in southwest Atlanta looking for a parish where they can be known by name and help shape the next chapter, MBS is exactly that kind of community.
Mass times at Most Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:45 PM (Reconciliation offered in the Pastoral Center, across the driveway from the Chapel)
- First Saturday of the month (except January and July): 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM in the Church
- Communal Reconciliation Services during Advent and Lent
- Individual appointments available by contacting the priest in the Parish Office
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament 9:45 AM – 11:00 AM on First Saturdays of the month (except July and August — please check the Calendar of Events)
Parish History
Most Blessed Sacrament traces its origins to a 1957 land donation and a 1958 Ben Hill Mission established by Bishop Francis E. Hyland. Erected as a parish in November 1960 with Rev. Walter A. Donovan as founding pastor, the community moved from the Ben Hill Health Center and Ben Hill Elementary School to a Knights of Columbus Hall, then to a combined rectory-chapel on Austin Road, then to Stone Road and Camp Creek Parkway, before settling at its present home — the chapel at St. Joseph's Village on Butner Road — in 1989. The parish marked its 50th anniversary in 2010, with a Rosary Garden dedicated in 2011.
- 1957 — Doris Wilson donates 20+ acres between Fairburn and Austin Roads
- 1958 — Bishop Hyland establishes the Ben Hill Mission of St. Anthony's, West End
- 1959 — Sunday Mass moves to Knights of Columbus Council 4420 (Butner & Tell Roads)
- November 1960 — Parish of the Most Blessed Sacrament erected; Rev. Walter A. Donovan named first pastor
- March 1962 — Combined rectory/chapel opens at 1926 Austin Road
- November 27, 1965 — Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan formally dedicates the new church and school
- Mid-1960s — Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet operate Blessed Sacrament School
- June 1975 — Missionaries of La Salette assume administration
- October 12, 1989 — Archbishop John F. Marino designates the St. Joseph's Village chapel on Butner Road as the parish's permanent home
- June 1, 1992 — Parish returns to archdiocesan clergy; Rev. Bruce W. Wilkinson appointed pastor
- 2010 — 50th Anniversary celebrated; closing Mass with Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory on October 31, 2010
- November 13, 2011 — Rosary Garden dedicated behind the church
Pastor Succession
The parish has been led by 11 pastors across its history — first by archdiocesan clergy, then by the Missionaries of La Salette from 1975 to 1992, and again by archdiocesan priests from 1992 onward. Father Bruce W. Wilkinson's 24-year tenure (1992–2016) is the longest in parish history; he was succeeded as priest-administrator by Father Desmond W. Drummer in July 2016.
- Rev. Walter A. Donovan (1960–1971) — founding pastor
- Rev. Joseph Drohan (1971–1975)
- Rev. James Noonan, M.S. (1975–1980) — first La Salette pastor
- Rev. Peter McKeown, M.S. (Jan–Jul 1980)
- Rev. Richard LaMadelaine, M.S. (1980–1983)
- Rev. William Mulcaire, M.S. (1983–1986)
- Rev. Robert Dyer, M.S. (1986; died November 18, 1986)
- Rev. Joseph Aquino, M.S. (1986–1990)
- Rev. Joseph Nolan, M.S. (1990–1992)
- Rev. Bruce W. Wilkinson (1992–2016)
- Rev. Desmond W. Drummer (2016–present)
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently served by Father Desmond W. Drummer as pastor and Deacon Frederick Toca. Faith formation is coordinated by Gretchen Eugere, with Lyndon Batiste assisting with youth ministry. Most Blessed Sacrament welcomes inquiries about priestly, diaconal, or religious vocations through the Parish Office.
- Rev. Desmond W. Drummer — Pastor (404-349-9263 ext. 102)
- Rev. Mr. Frederick Toca — Deacon
- Mrs. Gretchen Eugere — Faith Formation / Youth Ministry Leader (ext. 107)
- Mr. Lyndon Batiste — Assistant Youth Minister (ext. 108)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Parish School of Religion and Faith Formation Ministry (P.S.R.) leads children, teens, adults, and families into faith through Catholic catechesis, worship, communal prayer, and Christian service. Sacramental preparation is a two-year process; for youth, enrollment in either a Catholic school or the Parish School of Religion is required the year before receiving any of the Sacraments.
- Elementary School Age Catechesis — Grades K–6
- Middle School Youth Ministry — Grades 7–8, Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 PM in the Youth Center
- High School Youth Ministry — Grades 9–12, Sundays 10:15–11:20 AM
- Confirmation Preparation — two-year program beginning in 10th grade
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Teens (RCIT) — for grades 7–12 seeking baptism or full communion
RCIA, Adult Faith Formation & Membership
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) walks inquirers and catechumens through five Rites — Inquiry, Catechumenate, Election, Initiation, and Mystagogia — culminating in reception into the Church at Easter. Adults and families seeking baptism or full communion should contact the pastor. New Member Orientation Classes are scheduled bi-monthly on three consecutive Mondays at 7:00 PM, and parent/godparent instruction is offered separately for those preparing a child's baptism.
- RCIA — Tuesdays 7:30 PM, September through May
- Monthly 'What the Church Believes' series — August through May
- Men's Bible Study
- Ministry to Married Couples
- Weekend Retreats through Ignatius House
- Revivals and Parish Missions
- New Member Orientation — Mondays for 3 consecutive weeks at 7:00 PM
- Parent / Godparent Instruction Classes (by appointment)
Sacraments at Most Blessed Sacrament
Beyond Mass and Confession, the parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic Sacraments. Preparation is required for each; the parish encourages contacting the Parish Office well in advance, especially for marriage (at least six months prior to a proposed date) and Anointing of the Sick in cases of serious illness.
- Baptism — infants and children under 6 (adults through RCIA)
- Confirmation — 10th grade and above (two-year preparation); adults through RCIA
- First Holy Communion — children in 2nd grade and above; adults through RCIA
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment at the Church, home, or hospital; communal on 1st Wednesday Evening Mass in February and October
- Marriage — six-month notice required; pre-marriage instructions arranged at first meeting with priest or deacon
- Holy Orders — appointments arranged with the Pastor or the Archdiocesan Vocations Office
Visit Us & Contact
Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is located in South Fulton at 2971 Butner Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30331 — outside I-285 off Camp Creek Parkway, about 3.5 miles west from I-285 Exit 2, and less than 8 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Parish Office can be reached at 404-349-9263 (fax 404-629-1287) or [email protected]. For GPS, use 2971 Butner Road, SW Atlanta, GA 30331.
- Address — 2971 Butner Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
- Phone — 404-349-9263
- Fax — 404-629-1287
- Email — [email protected]
- Website — mostblessedsacrament.com (also reachable as MBSChurch.com)
- Jurisdiction — Metropolitan Archdiocese of Atlanta
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Walter A. Donovan1960–1971
Founding pastor; appointed by Bishop Hyland when the Ben Hill Mission was erected as a parish in November 1960.
- Rev. Joseph Drohan1971–1975
Purchased a new rectory at 3445 Stone Road; appointed Rev. Terrence Kane as Associate Pastor.
- Rev. James Noonan, M.S.1975–1980
First La Salette Missionary pastor when administration of the parish was assigned to the Missionaries of La Salette in June 1975.
- Rev. Peter McKeown, M.S.January 1980 – July 1980
Succeeded Father Noonan as pastor.
- Rev. Richard LaMadelaine, M.S.1980–1983
Succeeded Father McKeown on July 1, 1980.
- Rev. William Mulcaire, M.S.1983–1986
Switched pastorates with Father LaMadelaine on April 1, 1983.
- Rev. Robert Dyer, M.S.1986
Appointed June 1, 1986; died November 18, 1986 — the first priest to die while serving at Most Blessed Sacrament.
- Rev. Joseph Aquino, M.S.1986–1990
Arrived December 21, 1986 to succeed Father Dyer.
- Rev. Joseph Nolan, M.S.1990–1992
Appointed June 16, 1990.
- Rev. Bruce W. Wilkinson1992–2016
Appointed by Archbishop Lyke on June 1, 1992 when the parish returned to archdiocesan clergy; previously pastor of St. Anthony's; led the 50th anniversary in 2010; took a sabbatical and was succeeded effective June 30, 2016.
- Rev. Desmond W. Drummer2016–present
Appointed priest-administrator by Archbishop Gregory beginning July 1, 2016; current pastor.