Download A History of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church

A History of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
The history of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church has been one of triumph
and tribulations, successes and setbacks – and traditionally one of devotion,
enthusiasm, and perseverance. In 1885 there were approximately sixty parish
members. As the twentieth century ends and a new century begins, there are more
than six hundred and fifty registered families in the congregation.
One of the missions founded by the Jesuits from Selma, Alabama, Sacred Heart
was first housed in a building at the corner of Third and Spruce Streets in Anniston.
There was no resident pastor; the Jesuits came from Selma on the first and third
Sundays of each month. It was in 1898 that the Most Reverend E.P. Allen, Bishop of
the Diocese of Mobile in Alabama, installed the first pastor, the Reverend D.A. Brady.
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As the parish outgrew this little location in GlenAddie, services were moved to a
hall on Noble Street, between 12th and 13th streets. “While holding services here,”
writes Father Brady, “the Right Reverend Bishop, then being on a visit to Anniston,
thought it better to buy some land, and with the generous aid of Mr. William H. Zinn, it
was concluded to buy property on the corner of 11th and Quintard… a one story cottage
with five rooms being on said lot at the time of purchase.” This property was bought
from the vestry of Grace Episcopal Church. The church building was completed in late
summer of 1899, and the Anniston Hot Blast of Sunday, November 19, 1889 notes:
“The ceremony of dedicating the handsome new Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart
will occur this morning at 9:30 o’clock, Bishop Allen of Mobile will officiate…”
Little is recorded concerning the parish for the next twenty-two years. Then, on
Palm Sunday night, April 10, 1922, a fire of “undetermined origin” destroyed the church
building. The following Sunday, Easter services were held at Grace Episcopal Church
at the invitation of the Reverend W.M. Stoney, Rector of that church. Thereafter,
services were held for more than a year in a building at 919 Noble Street. The pastor,
Reverend T.J. Early, sought financial help from friends, relatives, and other
denominations.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 19, 1923, another new church was dedicated
at the corner of Quintard and 11th; construction cost was approximately twenty thousand
dollars. In 1928 a rectory was built next door to the church. However, in the late ‘30s
and early ‘40s, there were financial problems which necessitated the renting of the
rectory for physicians’ offices, and the priest resided in a small cottage behind the
church.
Then came World War II and the arrival at Fort McClellan of the famous 27 th
Division. The setbacks diminished, debts were lifted, attendance jumped from seventy
to more than four hundred. The fort, the Anniston Ordinance Depot, and local industries
continued to bring more families into the area. St. Mary’s School (now Sacred Heart
School) and Convent were dedicated in 1958. The Most Reverend Archbishop Thomas
J. Toolen presided at the ceremonies. The Reverend Frank Giri was pastor.
And the pilgrimage continues! In 1989, the Very Reverend Richard E. Donohoe
was named pastor. Within the next year, planning began for a new church.
Committees from the congregation were organized – site location, building, arts and
environment, liturgy, music, and finance. The pilgrimage would continue with the parish
being an integral part.
In 1997 the church building and rectory at 11th and Quintard were sold to Trinity
Lutheran Church. On December 14, 1997, ground breaking ceremonies were held on
the property at the corner of Golden Springs and Greenbrier Roads. The Most
Reverend David E. Foley, Bishop of Birmingham in Alabama, led hundreds of
parishioners to the site through a cold, wet drizzle. It was a joyous site, and their spirits
were warm.
During the transition period, liturgies took place in the lunchroom/auditorium of
Sacred Heart School. As in the 1920s, other denominations opened their doors. In
their sanctuaries Sacred Heart members held their weddings and their funerals with
dignity and solemnity. The whole community helped our faith community.
One hundred years ago in November 0f 1899, the little church on the corner of
11th and Quintard was dedicated. After that building was destroyed by fire in 1922, a
new church was dedicated at the same location in November of 1923.
And now, on this, the first day of November 1999, the pilgrimage has reached its
triumph. Under the inspiring leadership and through the perseverance of Father
Donohoe, with the enthusiastic support of Sacred Heart parish and other communities
of faith, we are indeed a “pilgrim people, a family of believers, united in one spirit!” And
once again, we have a home.
Mrs. Jean Willett (deceased)
UPDATE
The Very Reverend Richard E. Donohoe was reassigned as Rector of The
Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham in 2000 by The Most Reverend David E. Foley,
Bishop of Birmingham in Alabama.
A temporary was sent to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, arrogant Bobby
“Sullen” Sullivan, who served until 2006, at which time The Most Reverend David E.
Foley, Bishop of Birmingham in Alabama reassigned The Very Reverend Bryan K. Lowe
from Assistant Pastor of The Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham to Sacred Heart of
Jesus Catholic Church in Anniston.
David E. Lindquist, et. al