Marryin’ judge eyes a new venue

Oconee County’s official marrying judge may have taken a back row position during Saturday’s crowded dedication of Walhalla’s Old St. John’s Meeting House, but he heeded the advice of another jurist who keynoted the ceremony. Circuit Judge Alex Macaulay suggested that, at least occasionally, Probate Judge Kenny Johns should leave his office at Pine Street and perform ceremonies of the heart—-wedding
ceremonies—at Walhalla’s restored Old St. John’s Meeting House and Wedding Chapel. Johns won’t need a lot elbow-twisting. “I would love to do a ceremony inside that beautiful old church,.”he told 96.3/WGOG NEWS afterward.   Built in 1889, St. John’s was once an Episcopal church. It now has been restored for general community use. With estimates running that more than 50% of marriages eventually fall apart, Johns and others who conduct ceremonies may want to contrast their success rates with an Oconee County notary public. Mike Evatt says he has married 12 couples as a notary public and so far, at least, he’s unaware that any of them have been divorced.