A Brief History of Sacred Heart Parish

Bishop Patrick Keane, third Bishop of Sacramento, first recognized the need for a parish in East Sacramento during the 1920s. In 1922, Bishop Keane purchased the property at the southwest corner of 39^th and J Streets on a slight eminence known as “American Hill.” The site had been home to a Sacramento public elementary school, and later for only one year, the site of Christian Brothers School prior to the Brothers building a school at 21^st Street and Broadway.

On January 1, 1926, the parish of Sacred Heart was established. A temporary building was constructed at the corner of 39^th and I Streets. On Palm Sunday 1926, Mass was celebrated for the first time in this new structure. The site was initially named St. Stephen’s Church with Father Phillip Brady serving as pastor.

Following the death of Father Brady in 1929, Monsignor Michael Lyons was appointed pastor and, with the approval of Bishop Robert Armstrong, fourth Bishop of Sacramento, changed the name of the parish to Sacred Heart of Jesus. Funds for construction of the new church were raised through pledges, card parties, dinners, and festivals. Monsignor Lyons was extensively involved in the new church’s design, as well as its décor. Mr. Harry Devine, architect and parishioner of Sacred Heart was chosen to design the church and the rectory. The cornerstone was laid on March 15, 1931 and construction began. The Rectory was completed first, on July 28, 1931. The church, a Romanesque structure designed in the Lombard style with red and black bricks and terra cotta, contained stained glass windows designed by noted Irish artist Harry Clarke. The Stations of the Cross were painted in France and the pews were built by cabinetmakers of the parish. On September 13, 1931, the completed Sacred Heart Church, located at 39^th and J Streets, was dedicated by Bishop Armstrong.

The church interior underwent a partial renovation in the late 1960s in response to the liturgical changes made by the Second Vatican Council. In 2014, the church underwent a total interior renovation under the guidance of Jeff Greene of EverGreene Architectural Arts in New York City, and architect Harry Hallenbeck. While structurally the same as when built, the church interior was painted with decorative details highlighting its architectural beauty, new carpets were installed, and all interior systems were upgraded. In addition, re-leading and cleaning of the stained-glass windows was begun and was completed over a two year period.

Succession of Pastors

Sacred Heart Parish School

The Parish School opened in 1934, located at the corner of 39^th and I Streets. The original structure took several years to build on the 2.1 acre site. In 2009, a new, state-of-the-art school campus was opened on the west side of 39^th Street, with the original site becoming part of the Mercy General Hospital complex. For more details consult http://www.sacredheartschool.net/