Gil O'Brien

I believe Gil O’Brien, one of the original Community members, is a saint. He was an architect who received his degree at Clemson University in South Carolina. He was a man brave enough to single-handedly raise four children from a first marriage and instill in them his love of God. A staunch Catholic, he was active in the early Aquinas prayer meetings. At one of the meetings he received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit which changed him from a man-pleaser to a God-pleaser. He also met with the Friday group who were interested in forming community. He encouraged and walked with that group until Community was formed. Then he dove into the deep water and helped to keep it afloat.

Being a man who made a comfortable living, he was the one who brought an early prophecy to the Community regarding its call to poverty. He was instrumental in creating the Sharing Fund and gave of his resources unstintingly to build the kingdom of God. A man given to hospitality, Gil went out of his way to greet newcomers and make them feel at home. He fulfilled one of his dreams when he moved from the country club life to Faith Village. He couldn’t help being an architect, though, when they had the early Community meetings in the LDR building (Learning to Read Center), which then became the single women’s household, and now is the Gilbert J. O’Brien Pastoral Center. He worried that all the jumping and shouting would make the floor fall in, but God was faithful and it never did!

In the late 70’s Gil’s mom, who lived with him, had cataract surgery and he needed someone to help sit with her while he was at work. Alpharatta Gerard, a widow, agreed to serve and ended up becoming his wife. Alpharatta had ten children so Gil received an even larger family to love. Gil was always thankful for the grace God gave him to raise his kids and the love he felt from the Lord when his daughter, Brigid, gave her heart to Him. His prayers were answered again when God gave Brigid a strong Christian husband in Keith Brown. Gil truly appreciated his wife and cherished her as a support and as a sounding board for his ideas.

Gil’s love of Alleluia Community was most apparent in the deep relationships he cultivated. He was extremely thankful for extended family and the ‘genuine” people he shared his life with in Community. Gil appreciated the confidence he had in Jesus as well as the assurance of God’s presence in his life every day. If he could leave us with a bit of wisdom, it would be to “Use your money to build the kingdom of God and, in the face of trial, remember that this too will pass.” “Put your trust in the Lord and live each day unto Him” was the way this simple saint lived his life. May we all learn from his example on earth and greet him joyously when we arrive in heaven.

Gil had retired as a major in the Army Reserve and was a veteran of World War II, living in Augusta for 35 years. He was owner of his own architect firm and had designed the original Faith Village bell tower among other major endeavors in the CSRA. He was a member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Irish-American Heritage Society, the American Institute of Architects, and various local philanthropy organizations.

Children: Brigid O’Brien Brown, Lauren O’Brien Burnett, Gilbert J. O’Brien III, Craig C. O’Brien