History of
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church
Gary, Indiana

The following document was transcribed from a mimeograph of two type-written pages detailing the history of Sacred Heart Parish written by Cecilia Jasiak who was one of the original parishioners. Cecilia's father, Edward Licheniak, is mentioned in the beginning of the history as one of the founders of the parish. It appears as if the history was written in response to a request by Sister Anne Marie Knawa, the author of a book entitled As God Shall Ordain: A History of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, 1894-1987 which details the history of the Franciscan nuns who served Sacred Heart as teachers, school administrators, cooks, organists and choir support.

The parish was located at 15th and Marshall in Gary, Indiana in the district known as Tolleston. The Diocese of Gary closed the parish in 1987 due to the dwindling number of parishioners and the cost of maintaining the property and buildings. The building sat empty for several years, often times subject to acts of vandalism. In the late 1990s, the building and grounds were purchased by a retired contractor living in the area who renovated the church using his own personal resources. The building is now home to a new family of worshippers.

The spelling, phrasing and grammar of the original document are preserved in this transcription. -Michael Jasiak

Sacred Heart Church
By Cecilia Jasiak

Sacred Heart Mission Church was started in 1912-1913 by very religious men, immigrants from Poland. Mr. Wszolek, Mikos, Anthony Siminski, Wojciech Klocek, Edward Licheniak, Karakula, Wojciech Padol, Zdobylak and Zon. Started having meetings about building a Church and School. St. Hedwigs Church was a distance for Children to walk or go on a streetcar to Church.

Rev. Kachelek Pastor assisted by Father Chilewski were asked what could be done. So the Group of men were told to go for donations for the Church. The land was donated by United States Steel Co.

The frame Church was built facing 15th Avenue and one classroom in the basement on the west side entrance.

The First Mass was Midnight Mass Christmas 1913. Kerosene lamps and candles were used. Our first Organist and teacher was Sister M. Marcellina had to come by streetcar every day She was living at St. Hedwigs convent. No matter how hard it was she never complained.

After Father Chilewski was transferred Father Skszypinski was comming from Whiting for the 10:00 A.M. Mass.

In 1917 Our First Pastor was appointed Father Gapczynski. He did a lot for the Parish. Moved the Church to face Taney St. Three classrooms and furnace were made under the Church. Moved the rectory from 15th & Taney St and built the Sisters' Home next to the Church.

Our second Pastor was Rev. Chemma.

The Third Pastor was Father Doctor. In 1929 built the present Church and school above it, and also the Hall. He was an artist and very religious.

Rev. Wroblewski with the help of Mr. Karakula, the janitor made a beautiful park of the Church grounds.

In 1934 Rev. Nadolny became our Pastor and purchased us our present organ from a Hammond Theater. Sister Adela was organist in 1927 and organized the Choir.

Rev. Casmir Moskwinski became Pastor in 1942, a hard worker added rooms and modernized the Rectory also the convent rooms were added, fixed the Hall and left in 1945.

In 1945 Rev. Louis Michalski, added the 2 classrooms to the hall. He left in 1947 to St. Hedwig Church. During his stay here we got our 1st assistant Rev. Walter Mastej.

In 1947 Rev. Wencel Karp came he built the present Rectory and Convent. Fr. Mastej stayed here 10 years as Assistant Rev. Leonard Lukaszewski came in 1956. left 9/25/60 Father Eric Schaff came and left 9/2/62. When Father Schaff left Rev. Louis Wozniak came as an assistant, since Father Karp's health was failing he was asked to come here as Pastor. Fr. Wozniak said no I'll go as an assistant. Fr. Wozniak became Pastor in September 1966.

During the Pastorate of Fr. Wozniak we celebrated our Golden Anniversary of our Parish. The School was closed due to the decline of children attending school and the mounting cost of keeping it going. At the celebration of the Archconfraternity's 25th Anniversary it was announced that Fr. Wozniak would be leaving for Our Lady of Consolation Parish that week. Sept. 1971.

In Oct. 1971 Rev. John Siekierski came here for about a year as administrator.

In Sept. 1972 Rev. Gerald Sroka came here as pastor and is still here.

Sister Domicela & Sister Sylvestra

In 1933 Sister Benigna was Superior. Sr. Felicissima was the cook. Sr. DeLourde was organist. Sr. Borgia and Sr. Alfons. Sr. Egidja.

Sr. Adela came here 1934 with Sr. Eustace. Sr. Alfonsine, Sr. Theodora.

The organist in 1935 was Sister Rozalima. 1937-42 Sr. Herminegelda, 1942-52 Sr. Virginette 1952 Sr. Hugoline 1953 Sr. Deofilia

Our sisters in our Parish Sr. Huberta, Theresa, Alberta, Rozaline, Rosemary Consilia, Annuncia, Sister Hillaryja and Sr. Kinga was the last superior.

Zygnunta, Tarcisia '44

© 2001 Michael Jasiak
Last updated on: 18 June, 2008 15:46