Our History
On Sunday, November 25, 1900, about 150 people
gathered in the chapel of St. Joseph's Hospital to celebrate the first mass of
the new parish, later to become known as Sacred Heart. Father Clement Burger
was the celebrant, and he had been sent to Lancaster to establish a parish in
the growing west end of Lancaster City. He was temporarily in residence at St.
Anthony's Church and had been assigned the task of taking up a census and
subscriptions towards buying a lot for the new church.
In early January of the next year, arrangements were made for the purchase of a lot at the corner of West Walnut and Nevin Streets. While the plans for purchase were in progress, several contractors submitted bids and the building of the church began and was to be ready for altars and pews by September 1, 1901. This building was two stories high, with a chapel on the first floor and rooms for a school on the second floor. Facing Nevin Street, this building still stands, functioning now as the Sacred Heart School.
Throughout the early 1900s, the parish thrived and formed
many organizations. Successful fundraising by all members of the parish,
including the children, helped to reduce the parish debt and on August 3, 1902,
Father Burger announced that a school would be opened for the upcoming school
year. On September 8, Sacred Heart of Jesus School opened with an enrollment of
50 students.
The school grew steadily, and by 1921 the Bishop gave permission for an addition to include more classrooms, a basketball court, and social rooms and hall. This expansion benefited the school; however, the chapel on the first floor was proving inadequate for the growing parish. Plans for a new church building began later in the 1920s, but the Great Depression and World War II interfered with these plans.
In 1939, the parish was able to purchase properties on the north side of Walnut Street, and these properties were to serve as a convent for the sisters.
Contributions continued to flow in, and by 1945, as men returned from the war, plans for a new church came to fruition.
Under the careful direction of Father John Kealy, our fifth pastor, permission was granted in 1952 to proceed with the projected plans for the new Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. On May 25 of that year, Bishop George Leech broke ground for the present Sacred Heart Church. Father Kealy's influence and planning can be seen throughout the building.
Under our ninth and current pastor, Father Michael Grab, Sacred Heart parish ministers to 900 families. The school includes grades kindergarten through eighth and has an enrollment of about 200. The school is served by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.