About Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus · Syracuse, New York
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in the Westside neighborhood of Syracuse, New York, founded in 1892 by Polish immigrants as the first Polish parish in the Diocese of Syracuse. Its cruciform Gothic Revival church, completed in 1910, features twin 212-foot spires, a Gouverneur marble-veneer exterior, and renowned Munich stained glass depicting the fifteen mysteries of the rosary. Designated a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II on August 27, 1998 and formally dedicated on October 3, 1999, it remains a mother church of Polish-American Catholic life in central New York, offering Mass in English, bilingual Polish-English, and Latin, alongside a full program of ministries, religious education, and devotions.
- Established
- 1892
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Andrew E. Baranski, V.F. (Rector / Vicar Forane)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
Sacred Heart Basilica is a living landmark of Polish-American Catholic life in central New York, with a heritage stretching back to 1892 and the singular honor of minor basilica status granted by Pope John Paul II. Parishioners are drawn by the soaring Gothic sanctuary with its 212-foot twin spires, irreplaceable Munich rose windows of the rosary mysteries, and a 1927 Skinner pipe organ; by a weekly schedule that includes bilingual Polish-English and Latin Masses alongside the ordinary English schedule; and by a long list of active ministries — Faith Formation for K–10, RCIA, Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Rosary Society, food pantry, choirs (the I.J. Paderewski and Polonez), and a strong devotion to the Miraculous Medal, St. Jude, and Divine Mercy. It is a place where immigrant history, architectural beauty, traditional devotions, and current parish life meet.
Mass times at Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 11:45 AM
- Thursday 11:45 AM
- Friday 11:45 AM
- Saturday 3:00 PM
Adoration times
- Children's Adoration (periodic, next date To Be Announced on parish website)
History of the Parish and Basilica
Sacred Heart Parish was organized on June 12, 1892 by Polish immigrants as the first Polish Catholic parish in the Diocese of Syracuse, with Rev. Anthony F. Kolaszewski as founding pastor. The present Gothic Revival church was built 1907–1910 by Rev. Francis Rusin and the parishioners themselves, and was raised to the rank of minor basilica by Pope John Paul II on August 27, 1998 with the formal dedication on October 3, 1999.
- 1892 – parish organized, first Mass offered in Kelly's Hall
- 1893 – original wooden church dedicated
- 1896–1939 – Rev. Francis Rusin leads parish and builds the Gothic church
- 1910 – church dedicated June 5 by Bishop Paul Peter Rhode
- 1939–1970 – Msgr. Casimir S. Piejda renovates sanctuary, adds high school and youth center
- 1970–1989 – Msgr. Adolph Kantor restores steeples and exterior
- 1990–2011 – Msgr. Peter W. Gleba leads parish to minor basilica status
- 1999 – designated minor basilica October 3
- 2011 – Rev. Andrew E. Baranski appointed eighth rector
Architecture and Notable Features
The cruciform Gothic Revival church was designed by Syracuse architects Merrick and Randall and built 1907–1910 by O'Connor Bros. Masons and Hueber Bros. Builders. The steel-framed, stone structure is entirely veneered in Gouverneur marble, measures 162 feet in length and 105 feet across the transepts, and is crowned by twin 212-foot spires. Seating capacity is 1,200. The roof was replaced in 2009 with slate and copper, the steeples were restored in the 1970s, and the interior was recently repainted.
- Gothic Revival cruciform plan, 162 × 105 feet
- Twin spires 212 feet high
- Gouverneur marble veneer over steel-framed stone
- Munich rose windows depicting the 15 mysteries of the rosary (~$1 million)
- Henry Keck Studio windows and St. Louis windows
- Stained-glass window of St. Maximilian Kolbe
- 1927 E.M. Skinner Opus 669 pipe organ
- St. Adalbert's Society (Polish Roman Catholic Union affiliate) connection to the parish's founding
Liturgy, Mass and Devotions
The parish's weekend Mass schedule is Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 9:00 AM (English), 11:00 AM (bilingual Polish-English), and 2:00 PM (Latin). Weekday Masses are 7:00 AM Monday and Tuesday and 12:10 PM Wednesday through Friday. The basilica keeps a full traditional devotional calendar centered on the Sacred Heart, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Miraculous Medal, St. Jude, and Divine Mercy.
- Saturday Vigil Mass – 4:00 PM
- Sunday – 9:00 AM English, 11:00 AM bilingual, 2:00 PM Latin
- Weekday Masses – Mon/Tue 7:00 AM; Wed–Fri 12:10 PM
- Confessions – Wed–Fri 11:45 AM, Saturday 3:00 PM
- Wednesday 7:00 PM – Novena to the Miraculous Medal and St. Jude
- Thursday – Divine Mercy Chaplet after 12:10 PM Mass
- Children's Adoration – periodic
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation is offered for children in Kindergarten through Grade 10 from September through May, with K–9 classes on Monday evenings 6:30–7:30 PM and Confirmation II (Grade 10) on Sunday evenings 6:00–7:00 PM. First Penance and First Eucharist are prepared in a two-year program in Grades 1–2, with First Communion traditionally celebrated the first weekend in May. The Catechetical Leader is Sister M. Melanie Jaworski, C.S.S.F., a Franciscan Felician Sister, and the program includes the Diocesan Safe Environment 'Protecting God's Children' lesson each year.
- K–10 Religious Education, September–May
- First Penance and First Eucharist (Grades 1–2)
- Confirmation preparation (Grades 9–10)
- Catechetical Leader: Sr. M. Melanie Jaworski, C.S.S.F.
- Convent / Religious Ed. office: 308 Lakeview Ave., (315) 422-4086
- Diocesan Safe Environment 'Protecting God's Children' component
Ministries, Organizations and Choirs
Parishioners serve in a broad range of liturgical, pastoral and social ministries, supported by fraternal and devotional organizations and two parish choirs. The I.J. Paderewski Choir and the Polonez Choir carry the parish's strong Polish musical heritage, while the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, and Rosary Society sustain its devotional and parish-life traditions.
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Cantors, Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, Ushers Club, Sanctuary Care, Greeters, Church Decorating Committee, Liturgy Committee
- Pastoral: Bereavement, Nursing Homes, Pastoral Council, Promotion Committee, RCIA, Religious Education
- Outreach: Food Pantry (315-492-9325)
- Organizations: Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Rosary Society
- Choirs: I.J. Paderewski Choir, Polonez Choir
- Music Director: Francis A. Schultz (315-956-2066)
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for and celebrates all the usual Catholic sacraments. Baptisms are celebrated Saturday at 1:00 PM with a required parent instructional session the first Wednesday of each month. Weddings require a six-month advance appointment per Diocese of Syracuse policy, with at least one party a practicing Roman Catholic. The Anointing of the Sick is available on request through the rectory for the sick, hospitalized, or homebound.
- Baptism: Saturday 1:00 PM; prep class first Wednesday 7:30–8:30 PM
- First Penance and First Eucharist: spring of Grade 2
- Confirmation: spring of Grade 10
- Marriage: 6-month advance appointment required
- Anointing of the Sick: contact the rectory
Facilities: School, Convent, Cemeteries, and Gift Shop
The parish campus includes the basilica, rectory, convent at 308 Lakeview Avenue, and the former school building. Sacred Heart School closed in 2002 after 110 years of Catholic education and 100 years of Felician Sister teaching. The parish's two cemeteries — Sacred Heart Cemetery in Geddes and the Lakeland Cemetery — are now administered by the Catholic Cemeteries Office of the Diocese of Syracuse, reachable at (315) 446-2649. A parish Gift Shop operates in the church vestibule.
- Rectory at 927 Park Ave. (315) 422-2343
- Convent at 308 Lakeview Ave. (315) 422-4086
- Sacred Heart School (closed June 27, 2002)
- Geddes and Lakeland cemeteries – administered by Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Syracuse (315-446-2649)
- Geddes cemetery chapel dedicated November 2, 1990
- Basilica Gift Shop in the church vestibule
Together in Faith and the Organ Restoration
Under the heading 'Together in Faith — Joining to Restore Our Faith Together,' the parish is engaged in the restoration of its 1927 E.M. Skinner Opus 669 pipe organ, the centerpiece of the basilica's liturgical music program and a key part of the campaign to preserve the building for future generations. Music Director Francis A. Schultz leads the music ministry in coordination with the cantor and choir programs.
- 1927 E.M. Skinner Opus 669 organ
- Music Director: Francis A. Schultz (315-956-2066)
- I.J. Paderewski Choir and Polonez Choir
- Together in Faith capital campaign for organ restoration
Visiting, Contact and Office Information
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM–12:00 noon and 1:00–3:00 PM, with evenings by appointment; the office is closed Saturday and Sunday. Visitors and new parishioners are invited to introduce themselves to the pastoral staff and to register by completing a census form in the church vestibule.
- Address: 927 Park Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13204
- Phone: (315) 422-2343; Fax: (315) 422-2344
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: sacredheartbasilicasyr.org
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 noon and 1:00–3:00 PM
- Religious Ed.: (315) 422-4086
- Cemeteries: (315) 446-2649
- Food Pantry: (315) 492-9325
- Facebook: facebook.com/BasilicaofTheSacredHeartofJesusSyr
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Anthony F. Kolaszewski1892–1894
Founder of Sacred Heart Parish; organizer of the first Polish Catholic parish in the Diocese of Syracuse.
- Rev. Anthony PlucinskiApril 6, 1894 – July 2, 1894
Second pastor; brief tenure.
- Rev. James KlimeckiJuly 7, 1894 – June 15, 1896
Third pastor; resigned due to poor health and advanced age, closing the founding phase.
- Rev. Francis RusinJune 16, 1896 – July 25, 1939
Came immediately after ordination; built the present Gothic church (1907–1910), the school complex, and the parish debt-free through personal collections; amateur carpenter and 'builder-priest'.
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Casimir S. Piejda, P.A.1939–1970
Fifth pastor; elevated to Domestic Prelate on May 10, 1945; oversaw convent addition, high school, youth center, sanctuary and baptistry renovations; resigned January 15, 1970 due to illness; died June 12, 1976.
- Msgr. Adolph Kantor1970–1989
Sixth pastor; restored church exterior, steeples, and school; widely known for his Masses for the sick.
- Msgr. Peter W. Gleba1990–2011
Seventh rector; previously associate pastor 1965–1970; led parish to minor basilica status in 1999; renovated rectory, converted convent to apartments, remodeled church basement, built Geddes cemetery chapel and Lakeland cemetery, added elevator and restrooms; elevated to monsignor 2006; ordained 1953; died 2011 at age 84.
- Rev. Andrew E. Baranski, V.F.2011–present
Eighth rector and Vicar Forane, appointed by Bishop Robert Cunningham; leads current ministry and Together in Faith restoration program.