Spencer - Sacred Heart

SPENCER - Sacred Heart of Spencer had its beginnings in 1872 when the first Mass was said in the home of Joe Maurer. Eleven years later, when there were nine families in the area, the first church was built.

The building was a small, rectangular frame structure. No bell hung in the bell tower until one was donated in 1909 by parishioner Joseph Hoffrichter. The first priest, Father Norton, not only served Sacred Heart, but parishes in four other communities. In 1898, a large rectory was built for $4000. With remodeling, it served the parish until 1965.

By 1916, the parish had grown, and although the pastor, Father Bernard Hunt, hoped for a school, he knew a new church was needed. The second church was of golden brown brick and measured 96 by 63 feet. It could seat 400 people. Built in the style of a combination Romanesque and Mission, it was considered a "structure of beauty." Cost of the building was $19,000.

A building fund for a new school was established in the 40's, and with a fund-raising campaign, the project began in May of 1950. Work on the $150,000 one-story building progressed rapidly. While construction was underway, classrooms were set up, and as rooms were completed, the grades were moved into the school. The total enrollment for the school was 149 pupils.

A house was remodeled for use as a convent and six Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict were engaged as teachers. The following year, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration were contracted. The order continued to staff the school for 37 years. Since then, Sacred Heart has been staffed entirely by lay teachers and has been a K-6 school (since 1988).

Currently, the convent is used as a parish center. The last nun to leave Sacred Heart was Sister Ceciliene Goetz, who retired in 1997. The cloistered area was then slightly remodeled and serves as offices for the religious education program.

Because the parish grew to 450 families, more space was needed. It was decided in 1960 to move the parish to a new location. Priority was given to the church, convent and rectory with consideration for a school to be built later.

Fourteen acres of land was purchased, another fund drive held, and by the close of 1964, the first three buildings were complete. Cost of these three buildings, inclusive of furnishings, was $510,000. The church could seat 850 people, was of contemporary design, constructed of gray granite.

The new school was completed by 1969. In addition to eight classrooms, there is a kindergarten room, central library and a gym that is used for hot lunch. A glass-enclosed passageway links all buildings.

Parishioners have welcomed and said goodbye to 16 pastors and 11 assistants. The last assistant left in 1983. Sacred Heart's present pastor, Father Roger Linnan, cares for the 850 families now in the parish.