Building Our Parish History

Dear Parishioners,

These are exciting days in our parish. On June 8th, the quiet of our parish grounds was disturbed as earth-moving equipment was unloaded and construction started in the area east of our church. Our new gathering space is rising out of the earth. This project has been planned for a long time. The global pandemic and other events caused delays, but now we are moving forward.

At times, I will marvel at how our campus has grown from its humble beginnings from over 100 years ago. The parish started with a rectory on the corner of 17th Avenue and 13th Street. A multipurpose building that contained a school and worship space was the first building the parish constructed next to the rectory. Both of those buildings no longer exist, but now there are five other structures spread out over three blocks. Our beautiful church, the building that houses the Lee Parish Center and the Rectory, the Elementary School, the Middle School and Culemans Fellowship Hall. 

Properties were painstakingly purchased through the years, houses were moved out of the way, 14th Street was closed in the middle of our campus. So much time, effort, and money went into this expansion so that Seton School and Sacred Heart Parish might prosper! I am sure that the pastors who preceded me had second thoughts as they moved on to each new building effort, but they forged ahead, and parishioners responded generously.

Our church was dedicated in 1923. We will dedicate the new Gathering Center addition in 2023. This space will allow for many modern amenities. Our church building will be restored and renewed. The repairs and improvements never really stop, but this will be a significant milestone that will help Sacred Heart be ready to move into the next century.

Let us pray to St. Damian that all will go well over the next six months, and that when we dedicate our new church, it will be a day of joy for all the parishioners of Sacred Heart.

May Our Lady of Peace pray for us.

Fr. Mark