Sacred Heart Church, located in Galveston Texas is just breathtaking. As a Galvestonian I have admired the beauty of this religious sanctuary all of my life. The photo of this church speaks for itself. Little else in needed when it comes to describing just how magnificent this landmark truly is.
Sacred Heart is a Catholic Parish. The church was established on June 21, 1884 by Rt. Rev. Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher. He decided the East End of Galveston would become the Society of Jesus. Reverend John F. O'Connor was given the task starting this parish. With the help of Father Slevin Sacred Heart had its first mass the Sunday after July 15, 1884 (Father Slevin arrived on the Island July 15, 1984). The land which would become Sacred Heart was donated by Michael B Menard. The Menard family has played a large part in the history of Galveston, Texas.
At one point Sacred Heart was the largest church in Texas (1892). It was also the third largest in the southern United States. This is in part due to the history Sacred Heart had with St. Mary's University.
The building was designed by architect Nicholas Clayton. The design was French Romanesque. Sadly the Storm of 1900 demolished the original building. This storm devastated most of Galveston and became what has been known as the worst natural disaster to ever strike the United States. All but two stained glass windows, the Mass bell, the statue of the Sacred Heart and the Crucifix were destroyed. These items remain at the church to this day. The Catholic parish family immediately made plans to reconstruct the church. On June 21, 1903 a cornerstone was laid and the church was consecrated on January 17, 1904.
Here are some exerts from the Texas Historical Commission Marker. These words truley describe the heart and soul of why Sacred Heart Chruch is an amazing part of my cities history. This church just embodies what life in Galveston, Texas is all about. Beauty, tranquility and beleifs in the true foundations that make us know we are.
The present building, the second for the parish, was constructed in 1903-04 during the pastorate of the Rev. D. J. Murphy. A prominent landmark in the city, it features ornate octagonal towers, flying buttresses, elaborate ornamentation, and a variety of arches. The design reflects influences of the Moorish, Byzantine, Gothic, and the Romanesque styles. The buildings original dome. damaged in a 1915 hurricane, was redesigned by Nicholas Clayton. Scared heart Church has played a significant role in the growth and development of Galveston. Since the 1880's, many of the city's prominent business, professional, civic, and religious leaders have been associated with the parish. Recorded Texas Landmark- 1981
I hope these facts and photos make you want to explore Galveston, Texas. This church is open to visitors. Please come experience the absolute stunning beauty of Sacred Heart. The location and contact information is as follows.
Sacred Heart Church
1302 Broadway
Galveston, Texas 77550
409-762-6374
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A beautiful church, the palms even make it more beautiful. We need to come down and visit Galveston and take the grand tour of the island. Thanks for sharing.
Youn sould Carl. Galveston is changing so much and all for the better. Plus we have that old historical feel that everyone loves.
Christina do I have you mixed up with someone else? I thought you had moved to San Antonio from California? I have met so many people here on AR it is difficult to keep up.
Christina & Kevin, excellent job on the photo and description of this relic. So glad that after the devastation in Galveston, this church was rebuilt incorporating relics that were saved. Good use of your link and photo naming. It certainly does look majestic. Wish I could see inside.
Christina & Kevin, Wonderful post and great pictures of such an awesome church. I have seen it in person and it is truly magnificent. Good choice for this post!
Carl- We live in San Antonio as well yet we want after this weekend. We are finishing our move up now.
Thanks for the comments Gena. My batteries died right before I was headed inside. I was so upset.
Thanks for your comments Ricki. it really is an amazing church. My brother became a member. I have always been Lutheran but many friends and distant family attend this church.
Hi Christina and Kevin,I have heard from the judges and will send a group e-mail with the winners names out tomorrow via group e-mail after I talk to Marchel (hint you might want to check :). I will also be writing a post with all the critiques on the post in the contest in the next couple of days. Thanks for sharing your beautiful church and story with us, and please go ahead and post it to any groups you want including ours. Also our mascot has a name, another hint, it starts with a T :). Liz
Hi Liz- It was fun but I am am for you. I was so mad that my camera batteries died so I could not go into the church and photo its beauty. Those rechargeables just don;t seem to be as good as old fashioned batteries yet I can't print my own money so I am stuck with them. Of course I had no time to go and buy some. That church is really amazing so I may still go back and get the other pictures.. I really loved your pictures. Photography is an interest of mine. i hope to take some classes this summer now that my kids are a bit older.
Tex is my father-in-laws name so I think that is a good choice. perfect for BBQ. I already know exactly who my mouth watering post is going to be about.
Thanks for all the info. I am finally done with my move so now I just have to work and get organized.
Have a great week.
Christina
Christina & Kevin - That is an absolutely beautiful church! I have driven by it when in Galveston and always admired it greatly! Nice post and history lesson!
Thanks Candy. It is really pretty
What an absolutely lovely post about a Catholic church, the history, the photos and architecture! A fantastic story for localism! With someone as knowledgeable as yourself about the local market area...local buyers and sellers will be blessed to have you working on their behalf!
Christina, What a gorgeous Church; your pictures of it are just INCREDIBLE. I wrote about a church in the Tomball area that was built about the same year as this one but WOW what a difference between the two churches. Back then they wouldn't be just a little over an hour away though.
Our other judge was Gena Riede and she voted your post a winner also and awarded you a tie with Bill
Cherry for 3rd place. 3rd place had a total of 300 points so 1/2 of 3rd place from Gena's vote would be another 75 points. You will be receiving a total of 375 extra points from AR. I have featured you award winning post and will be doing a blog with all the comments on what the judges had to say about your great post in the next couple of days. Again congratulations on your award winning post, it was truly beautiful, Liz
Christia Stopped by to say congatulations. Enjoyed reading the histoy and the photo's of that magnificant church.
Thanks to the judges and Liz. Liz you have been great and the contest was fun.
We appreciate your time and efforts to make this a fun place to blog.
thanks for the congrats Carl.
Have a good day everyone.
Christina
Howdy Christina and Kevin
on being a frist place winner in the
Beast Church contest!!
Sorry I had not goten over to read
it before now.
The photo's are very good that ya took of
the Church for sure.
I enjoyed reading your post very much.
Sacred Heart has always looked like that. Interestingly it felt cold, summer and winter, until the marvelous Fr. Frank Fabji took over as the church's pastor some years back. Now it feels like it looks -- it's a church that's warm and has a soul.
Fr. Fabji, by the way, is a Galveston boy who always wanted to be a priest....always. His mother's maiden name was Maceo, and his dad was really a good guy.
Thanks to Christina and Kevin for giving everyone on Active Rain a superb tour.
So true Bill. My brother-in-law is a good friend of Frank's. They went to school together. Do you know the Naschke family? He is one of the Naschke kids (Derrill).. his father owned the sporting good store on the )island. My family (the Strommen's ) owned and still own a painting business that has done most all the commercial dwelling on the island. I love Galveston.
I am not catholic (Lutheran) so I grew up at St Johns on the island yet Fr. Fabji is captivating. He really draws you in. I have attended a few of his services including funerals and baptisms. There is just something magically about him. He really gets your attention. He was transferred to a church in South Houston. He use to surf with Derrill. I was unaware that he is a Maceo.
I will have to check out your book. I love all the great contributions you make to Activerain about Galveston. Wonderful education for us all. How did you wind up in Dallas?
our post was great as well Bill. I just drove by that church a few days ago when I was showing property.
Thank you for the congrats Dale.
Christina and Karen,
How gorgeous is that! I've driven Galveston many times but I do not remember this one! Next time I'm there I will find it. Thank you for the beautiful pics and post! Congrats, Later in the rain~Deb
It is on Broadway. You an't miss it as you head all the way past the Strand area towards the East End.
Thanks, Christina
Christina,
Of course I know members of the families you mentioned. Good grief, after all they are/were solid rock residents of The Island for generations. And just like my Galveston church, Trinity Episcopal, your church, St. John's has shepherded the souls of many throughout the years.
Fr. Fabji's daddy and Mr. Johnny Arena operated a company called National Vending. They installed and serviced most of the pinball, jukeboxes, cigarette and slot machines in Galveston. The company was a Maceo company and both Mr. Fabji and Mr. Arena were married to Maceo girls. All were wonderful people, and Mr. Arena and Mr. Fabji were really hard workers.
Fr. Frank's cousin told me a couple of years ago that when they were little kids playing house, Fr. Frank always asked for and played the part of the priest. So it's no wonder his homilies are so wonderful. He's had many years to perfect his skills.
One last thought. There are two and only two Galveston couples who really look to me like movie stars: Bill and Darlene Moody, and Leroy and Mary Jo Nashke. Some mighty good genes fell into place for them.
Bill
Mary Jo is really nice and of course so is Leroy yet I always think he reminds me of Santa Claus. He sails alot so he is always burnt from th sun. Derrill and Leroy worked together at bayport machine which is a company they opened some years ago.
Funny what a small world we all live in. Thanks for the history lesson. How did you wind u in Dallas?
OK, here's the answer. My wife, Patty, said, "You're moving to Dallas with me, big boy." Of course I said, "Yes ma'am." But I darned sure don't belong this far from my Gulf of Mexico.
Bill
So true, so true. We have moved 8 times in the last 6 years (due to building). I am glad to finally be home as of a week ago. We moved back into on of our rentals to fix it up. My husband is also in network security and it was a good time to get out of the home building market. We have been super busy since we got back but we do have one of the best sites in Galveston so it is nice to finally not be handing out relos. I thought I would have more time to unpack but we have been showing and listing. It is a great time of year for Galveston real estate.