Sioux City - Sacred Heart

SIOUX CITY - Sacred Heart Parish was established in 1907. Situated in Riverside, an area settled mainly by French Canadian Catholics, the first small wooden church on Nash St. was designed by William L. Steele. Father Theophile J. Plante was appointed pastor on March 1, 1907, and celebrated the first Mass in the new church on July 15. On November 1, Bishop P.J. Garrigan dedicated the church to the Sacred Heart.

In 1910, Father Plante was named pastor of St. Jean Baptiste Church, and Sacred Heart became a mission of that church. When H.A. Jance was appointed pastor in 1918, only 15 people attended his first Mass.

By 1919, the congregation had outgrown the church, and the need for a Catholic school was felt. Bishop Edmond Heelan selected the nine-acre property on Military Road. In September, 1920, Sacred Heart School opened with 89 children in attendance. Franciscan sisters from Dubuque staffed the school.

In 1923, the parish bought the cartridge factory on adjoining property for $1500 and began remodeling. The first floor was the church, the second contained the parish hall and a 10-room apartment for the sisters. Most of the work was done by parishioners.

The first Mass in the "Cartridge Church" was celebrated on Nov. 25, 1925, and on Dec. 20, the church was blessed by Bishop Heelan.

In 1929, Bishop Heelan invited the LaSallette Fathers to take charge of the parish, and on Jan. 17, 1930, Father Cornelius J. Hayes, M.S., arrived in "Siberia." Finding that the parish was almost $55,000 in debt and had a bank account of $76, he immediately started the process of reducing the debt and improving the church and the grounds, a tradition that is still being carried on.

LaSallette Fathers who served as pastors included Father Hayes (1930-38 and 1947-50), Patrick Durkin (1938-42), Harold Clossey (1942-43), John Brady (1943-47), Gerald Bowen (1950-60 and 1968-72), Eugene Lynch (1960-65), Joseph Balgenorth (1965-6-he died during his pastorate), Paul Owens (1966-68), Ronald Groshen (1972-75), William Overmann (1975-79), and Jude Brunnert (1979-82).

Major projects during this time included installing a shrine to Our Lady of LaSallette in 1935. Father Paul Dobberstein from West Bend, Iowa, designed and personally constructed the grotto. A rectory was built on church property in 1952. In 1962, a new school was built opening to 200 students. During the late 60s, the "Cartridge Church" was completely renovated.

In 1982, the LaSallette Fathers returned the church to the diocese. Robert P. Brown was appointed pastor, serving until 1991. He was succeeded by James Bruch whose pastorate lasted until 1998, when Bruce Lawler was named pastor.

The high point in this parish history came when a new Sacred Heart Church building was dedicated on August 18, 1991, by Bishop Lawrence Soens. Costing $1.4 million, the interior was designed by Frank Kacmarcik of St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minn. The space includes a gathering space, a daily Mass chapel, the Blessed Sacrament chapel, a reconciliation room, and offices, as well as the main sanctuary which will seat 450.

In 1997, a $3.3 million building campaign was started to retire the church debt and initiate a needed expansion of the school. On November 29, 1999, Bishop Daniel DiNardo dedicated the school addition.

At present, the parish is realizing plans to renovate the interior of the church and improve the parking lot.

Sacred Heart Parish today embraces 661 families, 1665 individuals. There are 235 students enrolled in the school.