HISTORY OF SACRED HEART PARISH
Founded in 1882

In 1838, St. John the Evangelist became the first Catholic Mission in this area, and at one time supplied ministry to Sacred Heart Church. Sacred Heart was founded in 1882 by a group of German Catholics who left Sedalia's first Catholic parish - St. Vincent's - to form a parish where they could use their own language. Sacred Heart's first church was a two-story building that housed a church, school and convent. As the town's population increased, the small structure was unable to serve the needs of the growing parish population.

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Construction of the new church began in 1891. The cornerstone was laid May 8, 1892, and the church was dedicated and occupied April 30, 1893. The church is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the area, and has retained its unique atmosphere through many changes, including the installation of the high altar in 1898 and the addition of the side altars in 1902. Electric lights weren't installed until 1914. Although several painting and redecorating projects were completed in the church over the years, none compared to the major restoration that took place in the late 1970s. The entire project took three years to complete and was finished just in time for the celebration of the parish centennial in 1982.

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The parish community completed a major renovation of the Parish Center, formerly the Convent, in 1997. This "new" facility now houses many parish activities, including meeting space, nursery, dining room, and additional classroom space for our growing school enrollment.

Catholic education remains an integral part of our community and parish life. We take pride in our parish school, which offers education of exceptional quality for students in grades Kindergarten through 12. Sacred Heart is the only parish in our diocese which offers a locally-supported Catholic high school.

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Sacred Heart and its mission parish of St. John the Evangelist Parish have been served since their founding by the priests of the Society of the Precious Blood. For over 160 years, our priests have shared with us the strength of their community in prayer, in service, and in ministry. In so many ways their lives and sacrifices are an inspiration to us. Through their devotion and zeal, we have experienced God's love and been stimulated to a more generous love and service of our God and His people.