St. Ann’s Church was a foundation for many Catholic families for generations. Its inception dates back to 1850 when it was constructed from logs by the Scotch Irish families of Leake County. By the turn of the century, 300 people were associated with St. Ann’s, according to current owner of the church, Greg Harkins. His family was part of the foundation of the church that was moved to his property outside of Canton in 1998 where he refurbished it.
Two decades ago, the historic structure had run its church course and was about to be torn down. But Harkins couldn’t let his heart be crushed.
“I went up there to tell it goodbye on my own,” Harkins said through tears. “I was Baptized there. My father was Baptized there. So was his father, and his father, and his father and his father were all Baptized in that spot. I didn’t want to see it go. I went and talked to the Bishop and he said if I would do something worthwhile with it, he’d give it to me.”
Harkins couldn’t say yes quick enough and found movers to bring the church to his property 35 miles away (but the movers had to drive over 100 to actually get there.) The renowned chairmaker who has U.S. Presidents on his client list dug deep in his wallet and began renovating the sacred structure.
“If I had to do it over again, I’d still do it,” Harkins said. “We did everything but take the top off of it. A thousand people have told me how I had rebuilt the church. Actually, the church rebuilt me.”
He refurbished and restored it top to bottom and did replace the slate roof and opened it up as an occasional dining hall. There were a few weddings and other social occasions held there that would put a small dent in the upkeep costs and provide money for more renovations.
“But my goal is for this building to become a church again,” he said. “This thing rebuilt me. I was raised by a family that didn’t know what ‘no’ meant, didn’t know what ‘quit’ was. Hard, hard working people. About 5,000 people told me I couldn’t do this but I figured if anybody could do it, I could.”
After borrowing $20,000 to get the building to his property and start renovations, Harkins quickly learned he would have to dig deeper into his heart and pocketbook for this special project.
“I had spent $20,000 before they ever broke the building free from the foundation,” he said. “I started selling chairs for less than I was selling them to anyone who bought a chair in memory of St. Ann’s. I don’t know how I was able to do it but I did.”
Today, Harkins continues to provide the property for special occasions and teaches some cooking and chairmaking classes. He is looking to increase the congregation from one to many.
The beginnings of the church are planted deeply in the Harkins family.
“In 1835, Peter and Ann Harkins (great-great-great-great-grandparents and founding members of the church) came from Ireland and landed in New Orleans for a few years to get traveling money,” Harkins said. “They’d get off and work to make money and get back on the train. Being Irish and Catholic were two strikes against them and they walked up the Natchez Trace to the Luckett Community, the only Catholic community in Central Mississippi. They built the first church out of logs in 1850 and then out of boards in 1873. They took the logs and built somebody a barn.”
The church caught on fire in 1937 but mass was still held for another year. In the rebuilding it was stated that it was built by 22 Irishmen and one Jew.
“I knew who the 22 Irishmen were but I have no idea who the Jewish gentleman was though,” he said. “They started construction on St. Patrick’s Day in tearing it down to a point which I think was to the bottom of the windows. In 1938 they started rebuilding.”
A decade later when African Americans began leaving the state, the St. Ann Church family got together and built a school and church for them across the gravel road. Harkins remembered his great-aunt telling him, “’These people are friends of ours. They helped raised our children and we helped raised theirs but we had nothing to give them but a sack of potatoes when they left.’ They figured the best thing to do for them was to build a church and school.”
The church was well-known in the political realm as they turned in their precinct box of votes first for nearly 80 years even though their votes weren’t always an indication of who would win.
“If somebody didn’t show up to vote, they’d vote for them because they knew who they were going to vote for,” Harkins said with a laugh. “As it went, whoever the Harkins Precinct voted for was the one that lost.”
From humble beginnings, St. Ann’s affected generations of families. Harkins dream is to begin another humble beginning.
“I want people to love this place like I do,” he said. “Someone texted me the other day asking what I meant by a congregation of one. I’m it. I don’t know why the Lord wanted it rebuilt here, but He did.”
The church is located at 268 Mississippi Highway 16 W. in Canton. For more information to reserve St. Anne's for a special event, call (601) 201-1480 or see www.harkinschairs.com.
