The scent of salt air mingles with the incense. We stand before the Sacred Heart Church of Ocean Beach a testament to faith and community. This isn’t just any church. It’s a story etched in redwood and reinforced concrete.
Established May 10 1911 by Bishop Thomas Cantwell the original Sacred Heart Church was a small redwood structure. It stood on the corner of Santa Monica Avenue and Defoe Street later renamed Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. Imagine a tiny church nestled amongst the burgeoning Ocean Beach community. Only about 100 people lived there then. By 1927 that number exploded to 6000.
The growing congregation needed more space. In 1924 lots were purchased on Saratoga Avenue. The little wooden church was carefully moved to its present location at 4776 Saratoga Avenue. Father Declan Foley oversaw this relocation. He was the second resident pastor arriving from Toronto Canada in 1921.
Father Foley wasn’t just a pastor he was a builder. Under his guidance the church saw significant improvements. He secured the land for the current church. He oversaw the move. The first Mass in the new location was celebrated June 24 1924.
Life in the parish wasn’t all solemn services. Before the parish hall was built community dinners and bazaars happened in the Episcopal Church. The annual Ocean Beach barbeque was legendary. Families gathered on the sand. A huge pit was dug in the sand. Beef was roasted all night. It was a huge social and financial success for Sacred Heart.
The years between 1945 and 1947 marked a significant transformation. The old redwood church was sold for a mere $1000. The Frank Hope Construction Company built the current steel-reinforced concrete structure. It boasts sixteen large stained-glass windows. They depict the twelve promises of the Sacred Heart. Father Hannon claimed these were the first of their kind in a church. Each window cost $400 a considerable sum at the time. Thirty-six smaller stained-glass windows were also added. All windows were donated by parishioners.
The cornerstone of the new church was laid in 1946. The first Mass was celebrated on Palm Sunday 1947. The late Bishop Buddy dedicated it that May. A new school Sacred Heart Academy opened in September 1948. Dominican Sisters from Springfield Illinois were the teachers.
The church continued to evolve. Monsignor Francis Dillon oversaw the construction of the current rectory. He later became the first Pastor Emeritus after his retirement in 1968. Many other pastors served. Father Ron Hebert the current pastor since 1996 oversaw renovations. An adoration chapel was added.
The Altar Society has been a constant presence since the 1920s. They continue supporting the parish through fundraising. Sister Ann served from 1986 to 2010 leading the Caring and Sharing ladies. Reverend Giles Schmitt became the first Deacon in 1975.
Sacred Heart Church isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to the enduring faith and the strong sense of community in Ocean Beach. Its history is written not just in stone but in the hearts of its parishioners. A rich tapestry of faith community and resilience is woven into the very fabric of this special place. The Sacred Heart Church of Ocean Beach a beacon of hope and a place of spiritual renewal.