About the Church

Sacred Heart Catholic Church was established May 10, 1911 by the Ordinary of Los Angeles and San Diego, Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas Cantwell. The small 40 x 24 foot redwood structure church was erected on the corner of Santa Monica and Sunset Cliffs (Sunset Cliffs was called Defoe Street until it was officially renamed in l927). In 1924, Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Block 30 on the corner of Saratoga and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard were purchased for Sacred Heart parish and the little wooden church was moved to the present location at 4776 Saratoga Avenue.

The second resident pastor, Father Declan Foley from Toronto, Canada, came February, 1921. Many improvements were made under Father Foley’s administration. He purchased the land on which the present church building sits at Saratoga Avenue and Sunset Cliffs and had the church building moved to the new site. The parish had grown considerably. In l909 about 100 people lived in Ocean Beach – by 1927 the population had increased to 6,000. The first Mass at this new location was celebrated on June 24, 1924.

Father Peter Santy succeeded Father Foley on November 24, 1925. During Father Santy’s administration, a small rectory was constructed next to the church on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. Completion date was November 7, 1927. On January 20, 1929, Father J. B. Roure succeeded Father Santy and remained as pastor of “the little brown church” until August, 1933 when he was succeeded by Father Peter A. Connolly, who was pastor of Sacred Heart until 1939. It was under his administration in 1937 that the present parish hall was constructed.

Before the parish hall was built, bazaars and parish dinners were held in the Episcopal Church. Ladies and Gents of Sacred Heart’s growing parish thought nothing of serving 500 or more at their monthly dinners. The old time barbeque, held at the foot of Newport Avenue, was the BIG event of the year for Sacred Heart families and friends. Just about everybody in the Peninsula area gathered together on the sand of Ocean Beach for a feast of beef and all the trimmings. A large pit was dug in the sand and the beef was buried and roasted all night before the big event. The barbeque was a social and financial success for Sacred Heart.

The years 1945-47 were very exciting years for the parishioners of Sacred Heart. After Father Hannon offered to give the little church to anyone who would haul it away, it was sold in 1945 for $1,000. The present church of steel-reinforced concrete was built in the same location by the Frank Hope Construction Company. Unusual features of the church included 16 large stained-glass windows that illustrate the story of the 12 promises of the Sacred Heart. According to Father Hannon, it was the first time such windows had been used in a church. The cost at the time for each large stained glass window was $400.

Thirty-six small stained-glass windows were also installed. All windows were donated and paid for by parishioners. The painting of the Stations of the Cross was done on copper.

The cornerstone for the new church was laid in 1946 and the first Mass was celebrated on Palm Sunday in l947. The late Bishop Buddy dedicated Sacred Heart’s new church in May, l947. In addition, the property on the corner of Saratoga Avenue and Cable Street was purchased for the construction of a new school. In September, 1948, Sacred Heart Academy opened its doors and began its first semester with the Dominican Sisters from Springfield, Illinois as teachers. Land was also purchased in the 4700 block of Cape May for a convent.

Under Monsignor Francis Dillon’s pastorship, property at the rear of the church building was purchased and the present rectory was constructed. The old rectory was demolished and the space converted into the lawn area between the church and parish hall. Construction was completed on a new (and current) rectory adjoining Sacred Heart church. The new stucco and tile-roofed building was to be known as “The People’s Rectory” in recognition of the financial aid donated by the parishioners.

After Monsignor Dillon’s retirement in l968, he became our first “Pastor Emeritus”. Monsignor Kenneth Stack was appointed pastor from 1968 and died in 1973. The two associate pastors at the time, Fr. John Sproul and Fr. John Gomes, filled in until Msgr. John Rhatigan was appointed on January l6, 1974.

Monsignor John Rhatigan became the longest resident pastor of Sacred Heart, serving from l974 to l995. The Associate pastor, who assisted him at the time, was Msgr. Nicholas Clavin. Upon Msgr. Rhatigan’s retirement in 1995, Father Robert White succeeded him for a short period of time. Father Ron Hebert, our current pastor, was assigned to Sacred Heart in l996.

Under Fr. Ron Hebert’s guidance, the sanctuary was remodeled to conform to current Diocesan suggestions. The adoration chapel was added with a partition separating the altar and the chapel. Private adoration is available upon request.

Since the early days of the 1920’s, the Altar Society has worked to provide much parish financial assistance with rummage and bake sales; Christmas and Easter Boutiques. These activities are continuing today.

Sister Ann came to Sacred Heart in 1986 as Director of Community Concerns from St. Benedict’s Monastery in Minnesota and led the Caring and Sharing ladies in fulfilling many helpful parish tasks. The year 2010 saw Sister Ann retiring and moving back to her sister house in Minnesota. She surely is missed.

In 1975 Reverend Giles Schmitt became Sacred Heart’s first Deacon providing much needed assistance for both pastor and parishioners.

Our youth program continues to be a strong example of the Parish’s dedication to the spiritual growth for generations to come.

We have also reached out beyond our Ocean Beach community and have adopted our sister parish of St. Joseph’s Mission in Keam’s Canyon, Arizona. This parish is in the remote high desert area of the Hopi Indian reservation and the Church has been there for more than 80 years. Every year a group of adults and youth from Sacred Heart Parish spend a week at the mission and present a faith formation program for the children of the Parish. Also, repairs and maintenance projects are completed during the week.

These are just some examples of how our Parish community has joined together to keep growing as a Catholic community. The most understated example of our Parish’s commitment to practice our Faith is the personal concern and care our parishioners show to each other and the rest of our community on a daily basis.

*A detailed history of Sacred Heart Parish of Ocean Beach as well as a meditation DVD and booklet on the Stained Glass Windows of Sacred Heart Church are available for purchase through the Parish Office at 619-224-2746.