Sacred Heart Catholic Church

1409 Perry Street
Richmond , Virginia , 23224
804-232-8964
Pastor – David F. Stokes, SJ
fatherdavid@netzero.net

The Beginning

Sacred Heart Church in Richmond , VA , is a great example of how to remain courageous, faithful and vital, even in the face of difficulty. Since its establishment in 1901, the parish has seen its share of challenges such as financial hardship, the closing of a school, numerous church renovations, and even untrue rumors that their beloved church was going to close.

For more than a century, however, the dedicated parishioners and staff of Sacred Heart have worked to make it the energetic, diverse community it is today.

In the late 1800s, Catholics who lived south of Richmond , across the James River in the industrial town of Manchester , did not have a church to call their own. In 1901, thanks to a benefactor named Mrs. Thomas F. Ryan, Sacred Heart Church was built at 14 th and Perry streets, with a new school constructed across the street shortly after. The first pastor was Rev. Thomas E. Waters.

A Tradition of Dedication

In 1902, construction began on the sorely needed rectory, and a unique fundraising effort was born. A parishioner came up with the idea to sponsor a Brunswick Stew to help pay for the rectory. Since that time, stew has been cooked almost annually to raise money for the parish. The stew that is made today uses the very same recipe followed back in 1902 to make that first batch of stew. The fundraising stew is just a small example of the creativity and love Sacred Heart parishioners have for their church.

The parish continued to flourish under the next two pastors: Rev. Cyril E. DeMuynck and Rev. David F. Coleman. Around 1915, however, as the country found itself in the throes of World War I, the parish began to flounder. Despite attempts to raise funds, Rev. R.A. Drake, pastor at the time, failed at this mission and the result was that the parish school had to close.

Over the next few decades, Sacred Heart got back on track financially, particularly under the guidance of Rev. William A. O'Hara. The school reopened in 1931, and in 1951, the parish celebrated its 50 th anniversary.

For the next 40 years, Sacred Heart faced challenges such as declining membership and changing demographics. In 1987, the school closed for good due to a lack of financial feasibility. Although at times, the situation seemed grim, loyal parishioners once again banded together and rolled up their sleeves to raise money, organize programs and do whatever necessary to keep their parish going.

The Jesuits Arrive at Sacred Heart

In 1990, three Jesuits arrived in Richmond to work at Sacred Heart. A letter of intent had been signed by the Maryland Province Society of Jesus and the Diocese of Richmond, signifying that the Jesuits would serve at Sacred Heart Parish. Ownership of the parish remains with the diocese.

The first Jesuit to serve as pastor was Rev. Joseph Lacey, SJ, who set to work overseeing several restoration efforts. At the same time, Rev. Michael Maruca, SJ, founded Sacred Heart Center in the former school and over the next 14 years it had great success in expanding the learning capacity and skills of many mostly African-American students. Two years later, Rev. Robert Curry, SJ, became pastor of Sacred Heart and continued the renovations. At this time, the parish consisted primarily of Caucasian and African-American people.

Welcome to the Hispanics

With the arrival of Spanish-speaking Rev. David F. Stokes, SJ, as pastor, came new evangelization opportunities. His appointment to Sacred Heart coincided with a diocesan effort to integrate members of the growing Hispanic congregation into the parishes in and around Richmond . Hispanic Catholics from the area began to attend one of the Sunday Masses at Sacred Heart, which was celebrated in Spanish. From there, the move to integration took off, and numerous opportunities for bilingual ministries were identified.

In 1999, about 200 Hispanic Catholics joined Sacred Heart Church. A welcoming party was held and Father Stokes appointed two representatives of the Hispanic congregation to the Parish Council.

The changing face of Sacred Heart Church reflects the growth of the Hispanic population around the country and in Richmond . The Diocesan Office of the Hispanic Apostolate reports that at least 100,000 Hispanics live within the boundaries of the Richmond diocese, and about 70 percent of them are Catholic.

Sacred Heart Today

Today, the parish of Sacred Heart is home to about 570 families. Father Stokes presides at two Sunday Masses in Spanish and at one of two English Masses on Saturday evenings or Sunday mornings, rotating with Rev. Harry Hock, SJ, who presides at one of them. Father Hock is also the administrative assistant for the Sacred Heart Center , located across the street from the church. The center sponsors a variety of neighborhood outreach and education programs as well as a daycare.

Many longtime parishioners credit members of the Latino congregation with helping to stabilize the declining population of the parish.

"Our English-speaking parishioners have welcomed the Spanish-speaking Catholics," explains Father Stokes. "Our numbers were declining, and the neighborhood had become somewhat abandoned and challenged. We realized that the Hispanic Catholics save our parish by being here."

Father Stokes and members of the parish always look for innovative ways to bring the Spanish-speaking and English-speaking congregants together. Some of those efforts include catechism classes taught in English by mostly bilingual teachers and joint social gatherings.

"The people are what make this church unique," says Lucy Cruz, executive associate at the parish. "It really feels like a family here; the people are so down-to-earth. We all work together, and it is really a lovely community."

Ms. Cruz never met a parish project she didn't like. In addition to her job as associate, she is also the religion education coordinator, a founder and member of one of two Hispanic choirs, a key player in getting young people involved in the Spanish retreat called Encuentro and the diocesan youth convention, and she serves on the Hispanic Commission of the Richmond Diocese.

"My hope for the future is that, as our parish continues to grow, more and more lay people will get involved in leading different ministries such as teaching sacramental classes," said Ms. Cruz.

Father Stokes points out that leadership in the parish is increasingly multi-cultural, making Sacred Heart a model for diversity within the larger Catholic Church.

The parish is just off Interstate 95 and welcomes visitors en route between the northern tier of the Maryland Province and North Carolina . Guest rooms for Jesuits are available.