History of Sacred Heart Parish

The Beginnings of a Parish

Sacred Heart was established in 1867. Parish records indicate that Father O’Hare was the first priest assigned here. During the next few years, six priests ministered to the spiritual needs of Monroe’s Catholics. Initially, Mass was celebrated either in private homes or halls. The parishioners purchased the home built by John Jenkins and renovated it into a chapel. The chapel was given the name Church of St. Mary.

In 1896, the chapel was demolished. A beautiful new house of worship was built on the same site. Archbishop Corrigan consecrated the new church, which was renamed the Church of the Sacred Heart. The church became a focal point in the Village, a symbol of faith for all to see.

In the early 1900s Sacred Heart was a mission of St. Columba Parish in Chester. As a mission church, the parishioners organized themselves to establish a Christian community. The Altar Society, the Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters united the people as a community of faith. Still, the people of Monroe eagerly awaited the time when they would be a parish in their own right.

In the late 1940s and early 1950s there were 200 Catholic families living in Monroe year round. Sacred Heart was primarily a resort church with the majority of parishioners being “Summer People”.

We Begin to Grow

In the late 1950s the population of Monroe started to grow. Cardinal Spellman drew new parish boundaries and made Sacred Heart an independent parish community in 1957. Father John J. McCallen was appointed as the first pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart. Since there was no rectory, Father McCallen lived in a private home for almost a year while he looked for a suitable piece of property to build a rectory and provide for future expansion. After a long search, he purchased the Snee Farm on Still Road. This property would provide the parish with enough additional space to build a church, convent, school and cemetery.

In September 1963 Father McCallen initiated a fundraising campaign for a school and a convent. The campaign was a success with over $600,000 being pledged. The groundbreaking took place in December 1963. For a year the parishioners waited with great anticipation for the completion of the school and convent.

The Dominican Sisters of Sparkhill agreed to come to Sacred Heart to teach. Sacred Heart School opened in February 1965 with three grades. Sister Margaret Catherine became the first principal. Over the next five years, Sacred Heart became the largest parochial elementary school in Orange County.

Father McCallen was elevated to Monsignor in 1964. He continued to shepherd his people until his retirement on July 31, 1980. In August 1980, Cardinal Cooke appointed Father William A. Rooney as pastor of Sacred Heart Church to succeed Monsignor McCallen.

During the 1980s Sacred Heart parish experienced a major growth in population. The number of registered families grew steadily from 900 to over 1400. Under the dynamic direction of Sister Marie Murphy, the enrollment in Sacred Heart School increased to 270 students. The Religious Education Program under the supervision of Sister Rose O’Rourke grew from 200 students to over 600.

Motivated by a strong desire to provide her students with the best quality of religious education, Sister Rose began scheduling classes both in the afternoons and in the evenings. It was also during the 80s that Sister Mary Joyce started the L.I.G.H.T (Let in God’s Happiness Today) Program for the 3 and 4 year olds of the parish. It became obvious that the church on Stage Road, the school auditorium and the classroom space were inadequate to meet the spiritual needs of this growing Catholic community.

Looking Into the Future

Monsignor McCallen had been a man of vision. He foresaw the changing needs of his parish. His dearest hope had been that a new church would someday be a reality. He had taken care of the zoning requirements for the new church and often proudly pointed to the exact location of the new church. As the 80s unfolded, steps were taken to make the new church a reality. In 1983 Father Rooney met with Bishop Joseph O’Keefe, the Vicar General. Bishop O’Keefe’s advice and encouragement were most helpful. Preliminary permission was granted to conduct an inquiry among the parishioners to determine if a new church was needed. The results were positive, but hardly overwhelming.

The dream of a new church needed to be put on hold temporarily when the parish experienced several financial setbacks. The convent needed a new heating system. The roofs on the school, gymnasium and convent also needed to be replaced. The cost of repairs amounted to $250,000. It seemed impossible that a parish with a debt of $450,000 would ever be able to build a new church, but the dream was never completely abandoned.

In 1988, Father Stephen Maguire was assigned as the new parochial vicar. Ordained in 1987, Father Steve brought an enthusiasm with him that was highly contagious. Combining a unique set of talents, Father Rooney and Father Steve set out to accomplish the impossible dream – to build a new church.

Two major events occurred that would help to make the dream a reality. One was spiritual, the other financial. In December 1988, many parishioners adopted the spirit of tithing. They were offering back to God the gifts of themselves. For many this meant a beautiful balance of their time, talents and financial resources.

The second event was the introduction of the Shoprite/Grand Union Gift Certificate Program. By using the certificates, the parishioners of Sacred Heart donated 5% of the money they spent on food to the Parish Building Fund.

Building of a New Church

A Building Committee, chaired by Richard McGrail, a parishioner, was formed in 1989. A new survey revealed that the parishioners of Sacred Heart wanted a new church and were willing to support the effort with their time and talents.

The architectural firm of Degenshein, Denker and Bodnar of Nyack was selected to design the church. Mr. Attila Bodnar was chosen to be the architect.

The Building Committee selected the Moran Company, a professional fundraising firm, to coordinate the Building Fund Campaign. Two hundred parish volunteers visited all the registered families in the parish. More than 800 families committed to pledges and contributions totaling $1.6 million over a three-year period.

While the architectural plans were being drawn up, Father Maguire and Rich McGrail spent many hours looking for various items that could be used to furnish the interior of the church. Their diligence was greatly rewarded. Beautiful stained glass windows made in Germany in the late 1800s were purchased from the diocese of Providence, Rhode Island. The marble for the altars, pulpit, baptismal font and tabernacle came from St. Mary’s Church in Gloversville, New York, which was closed by the diocese of Albany.

A few years later when the Salesian Brothers school was closed in Goshen, NY, the brothers donated the stations of the cross and the sanctuary chairs. A parishioner, Peter Ortel, refurbished the stations by adding goldleaf to them. These beautiful items provided our new church with the traditional atmosphere that the people of Sacred Heart wanted. The people of St. Mary’s in Gloversville were delighted that their altars and baptismal font would continue to be used for divine worship.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 9, 1990 at an open air Mass. In a symbolic gesture to show the unity of the parish, all those attending the Mass were encouraged to bring shovels to help in the groundbreaking.

The actual construction began in November 1990. Staff, students and visitors monitored the progress of the building daily. As the framework and rafters began to rise and take shape, it became hard to remember when that area was an open field that once held only a dream.

Approximately 10 months later on September 8, 1991 the cornerstone of the church was laid. Using the same trowel that had been used on the convent and the school in 1964, Father Rooney officiated at the ceremony that was part of the annual parish picnic.

With all the excitement surrounding the new church, the parish was surprised to learn that Father Steve Maguire was being transferred to Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island. It was with great sadness that we said goodbye to our friend who had worked so hard for everyone in the parish.

On the day that Father Steve left, Father Carl D. Johnson arrived. As our new parochial vicar settled in, we found that he brought many new ideas and fresh viewpoints.

As the church was nearing completion, more people visited the construction site. There was excitement in the air as everyone asked, “Do you think the church will be ready for Christmas?”

On December 18, 1991, the village granted a temporary certificate of occupancy for the upper church. Volunteers arrived at the church on December 21^st and 22^nd to help install the pews and to thoroughly clean the church. Young people raked the grounds around the church, ridding them of debris left over from the construction. The Christian Service Committee and Sisters Norbert and Rose decorated the church. Because of the special talents of many people, the church was now ready for the parish to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

There was joy in everyone’s heart as Father Rooney and Father Johnson celebrated the first Mass at the Christmas Vigil. The church was filled to capacity. The wonderment continued when Father Rooney, Father Maguire, Father Johnson and Father Gabe Massaro celebrated Midnight Mass. The music ministry, under the direction of Peggy Nass, beautifully enhanced the Liturgy.

After the Christmas holidays, many things still needed to be done. The parish was unable to use the lower level of the church. Several meetings were held to work out the remaining details. On April 10, 1992, the parish received another temporary certificate of occupancy that included both levels of the church. The parish staff moved into their new offices, providing a more centralized location of services.

During this time Father Rooney was transferred to Holy Trinity in Mamaroneck, Westchester County. Father Johnson was appointed as the administrator until a pastor would be selected by the Archdiocesan Personnel Board and appointed by John Cardinal O’Connor.

At his July 31^st visit to Sacred Heart, John Cardinal O’Connor announced that he would appoint Father Johnson as the Pastor on the day of the dedication of the church.

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church
Church of the Sacred Heart
26 Still Road
Monroe, NY 10950