About Cathedral of the Sacred Heart · Pensacola, Florida
The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is the mother church (cathedra) of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, located in Pensacola's historic East Hill neighborhood. Established as a parish in 1905 and elevated to cathedral status in 1975 when the diocese was created, it serves as the seat and pastoral home of the local bishop. The current brick church was dedicated on May 18, 1967, in a Modern interpretation of the Romanesque Basilica style, and underwent a major liturgical-art renovation completed in 2020. It shares cathedral dignity with the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee, and is home to Sacred Heart Cathedral School (founded 1906/1907) and a wide range of parish ministries serving the Florida Panhandle.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Steve Olson, JCL (Rector since 2025)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Why belong here
The Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, which means it is the pastoral home of the local bishop and the spiritual center of Catholic life across the Florida Panhandle — a place where diocesan ordinations, confirmations, and major liturgical events take place. Daily and Sunday Masses (including a Vigil Mass, three Sunday morning Masses, and a Sunday evening Vespers), weekly Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration from 3pm to 10pm, Saturday confessions, and a robust catechetical program (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, OCIA, sacramental prep, Kids Club, and youth ministry) make it easy to grow in faith at any stage of life. Add in its classical, parish-based school, vibrant choirs, Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, St. Vincent de Paul conference, Scouting troops, and outreach to the sick and homebound, and the Cathedral offers both the scale of a large regional parish and the warmth of a long-established East Hill community.
Mass times at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 2:30pm (and by appointment)
Adoration times
- Wednesdays 3:00pm-10:00pm (Eucharistic Adoration)
About the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
Nestled among the trees of Pensacola's East Hill neighborhood, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is the symbol and mother church of the region's Catholic community. With the distinction of being the mother church of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, the Cathedral is the pastoral home of the local bishop, the seat of his cathedra, and the gathering place for diocesan liturgies such as ordinations and confirmations. It shares the honor of cathedral status with the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee.
- Established 1905 as a parish; elevated to cathedral 1975
- Modern Romanesque brick church dedicated May 18, 1967
- Major liturgical-art renovation completed and rededicated November 22, 2020
- Diocese: Pensacola-Tallahassee; current Bishop: William A. Wack, CSC
History
Sacred Heart Parish was founded in 1905 in Pensacola's growing East Hill neighborhood under the Diocese of Mobile. The first church was nearly destroyed by the 1906 hurricane while still under construction; Bishop Edward Allen dedicated the rebuilt Gothic Revival church in April 1907 to twenty-five founding families. A parish school (Sacred Heart Academy) opened the same year. Within fifty years the parish had outgrown the original church; the present cathedral was dedicated in 1967, and in 1975 Sacred Heart was named cathedral of the newly created Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.
- 1905 — Parish established; Father Fullerton appointed to oversee construction
- 1906 — Hurricane destroys roof of first church during construction
- 1907 — Gothic Revival church dedicated; Sacred Heart Academy founded
- 1951-52 — New school building completed
- 1956 — Old church sold to City of Pensacola for $100 (later to Greater Pensacola Symphony Orchestra); now on the National Register of Historic Places
- 1967 — Present brick cathedral dedicated May 18 by Archbishop Thomas J. Toolen of Mobile
- 1975 — Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee erected; Sacred Heart named cathedral
- 2020 — Cathedral renovation groundbreaking February 23; rededication November 22
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Cathedral runs a 'flipped model' of faith formation that combines in-person parish community nights with at-home catechetical curriculum, designed for the whole family. Wednesday evenings 5:30-7:00pm gather all ages in the Parish Hall, Meeting Rooms, and Atrium for meals, formation, and interactive family events, while a Sunday 10:45am-12:00pm option offers Kids Club (K-5) and OCIA for adults. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion (2nd grade) and Confirmation (begins 8th-9th grade) is integrated into the program.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3-5) — wait list for 2025-2026
- PreK-4 class and Kids Club for Kindergarten
- Sacramental Preparation: 2nd-grade First Reconciliation/Communion; Confirmation in 8th-9th grade
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — Deacon David Ell and Carolyn Ell
- Adult Bible Study — Mary and Larry Vallia
- Youth Ministry — Keiler MacNeal
- Children's Religious Education — Erica Maloney (ext. 122)
Sacred Heart Cathedral School
Founded in 1906-1907 as Sacred Heart Academy, Sacred Heart Cathedral School is the parish's PreK-8 classical Catholic school, located adjacent to the Cathedral at 1603 N. Twelfth Avenue. Its mission is to 'educate hearts and minds for God,' using a classical curriculum integrated with Catholic values, Socratic questioning, project-based learning, fine arts, French, and a 1:1 MacBook Air program in the upper grades. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd anchors the spiritual life of the Primary School, and the Morning Star Program (since 1990) offers specialized education for students with unique learning needs.
- Founded 1906-1907 as Sacred Heart Academy
- PreK-8 classical Catholic curriculum
- Spirit of Truth Religion Series and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium
- Morning Star Program for students with unique learning needs (since 1990)
- Tuition assistance available for any family
Music Ministry
The Cathedral's tile, brick, and marble acoustics support a vibrant Music Ministry under Director Tom Baroco. Singers and instrumentalists lead the assembly at weekly Masses and major diocesan liturgies, with a regular schedule of choirs and instrumental ensembles.
- Cathedral Choir — sings weekly at the 11:00am Mass
- Cathedral Festival Choir — sings at diocesan events and special liturgies
- Contemporary Choir — twice monthly at the Sunday 5:30pm Mass
- Handbell Choir — monthly at the 8:00am and 11:00am Masses
- Instrumentalists: flute, clarinet, trumpet, piano, and organ
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Beyond formation and liturgy, the Cathedral hosts a wide range of parish groups and service organizations for every age and stage of life. The parish staff and lay ministry leaders coordinate faith formation, youth ministry, hospitality, charity, scouting, and women's and men's groups; members of the laity also serve as lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and visitors to the sick and homebound.
- Knights of Columbus — Mike Vogel
- Council of Catholic Women — Dana Fredriksson
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference — Rose Molchan
- Boy Scouts / Cub Scouts — Chris Hrbacek; Girl Scouts — Terrie Campbell
- Hospitality Team — Andrea Rosenbaum
- Lectors — Corri Snigg
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — coordinated by Fr. Randy Recker
- Sick and Homebound visitation — Deacon Paul Graaff
- Mom's Groups, Men's Groups, and Small Groups (various days/times)
- Gift Shop — Cathedral Staff
Outreach & Charity
Outreach at the Cathedral is coordinated by the parish staff in partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, Knights of Columbus, and Council of Catholic Women. The parish also ministers to those who cannot come to Mass through a dedicated Sick and Homebound ministry led by Deacon Paul Graaff.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference (Rose Molchan)
- Knights of Columbus charitable works
- Council of Catholic Women service initiatives
- Sick and Homebound visitation and Communion calls (Deacon Paul Graaff)
- Parish Outreach Program staffed by the Cathedral team
Clergy, Staff & Leadership
The Cathedral is led by Rector Fr. Steve Olson, JCL (since 2025), with Parochial Vicar Fr. Randy Recker. The parish and school are supported by a full lay staff and a Parish Finance Council that advises the Rector in accordance with canon law and diocesan regulations.
- Rector — Rev. Steve Olson, JCL (ext. 114)
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Randy Recker (ext. 111)
- Director of Youth & Parish Life — Keiler MacNeal (ext. 117)
- Director of Faith Formation & Family Ministry — Erica Maloney (ext. 122)
- Director of Music — Tom Baroco (ext. 121)
- Parish Manager — Sarah Iserman (ext. 120)
- Finance Coordinator (ext. 110); Parish Coordinator (ext. 123); Maintenance Supervisor; Resident Seminarian
- Parish Finance Council members: Michele Coleman, Clifton Gavin, Tim Kane, Todd Rosenbaum, Sarah Iserman (ex officio), Fr. Steve Olson
- Pastoral Council Chair — Open
Sacraments
The Cathedral celebrates all seven sacraments. Preparation is integrated with the parish Faith Formation program, with marriage and baptism coordinated through the parish office, OCIA for adult initiation, and ongoing visitation for the sick and homebound.
- Baptism — preparation through the parish office
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion — 2nd-grade reception
- Confirmation — begins 8th-9th grade for those baptized as children
- Marriage — preparation through the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick and Sick/Homebound Communion visits (Deacon Paul Graaff)
- OCIA for unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and Catholics seeking Confirmation
Building Project & Liturgical Art
A three-phase capital project transformed the Cathedral campus. Phase 1 added to the school; Phase 2 was the church renovation itself, and Phase 3 expanded the parish hall. The $4.5 million church renovation (within a $6.5 million total project) broke ground February 23, 2020, and was dedicated November 22, 2020, by Bishop William A. Wack.
- Architect of record — Quina Grunhoefer Architects
- Liturgical art — Rambusch Company
- Project management — Morette Company
- New 10-foot Sacred Heart stained-glass window in apse
- Transepts opened up; cross-shape plan restored
- New Italian-marble altar (containing relic of St. Thérèse of Lisieux), tabernacle (bell-tower design), reredos, and baptismal font
- Mother-pelican emblem at front of altar (Christ and Pensacola)
- Removed choir loft and attic; added new balcony and entrance
Visit & Contact
Visitors are warmly welcomed at the Cathedral for Mass, Vespers, Eucharistic Adoration, or simply to see the renovated worship space. The parish office is open Monday-Thursday 8:30am-4:00pm, and Spanish-language assistance is available Monday and Wednesday 8:30am-2:00pm.
- Address: 1212 E. Moreno Street, Pensacola, FL 32503
- Phone: (850) 438-3131
- Parish office hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30am-4:00pm
- Spanish help: Mon & Wed 8:30am-2:00pm (ext. 112)
- School: 1603 N. Twelfth Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32503
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Fullerton1905-
Appointed by Bishop Edward Allen from St. Michael's Church to supervise construction of Sacred Heart in 1905 and lead the founding parish.
- Very Rev. James Valenzuelapre-2025
Pastor/Rector; led the parish through and after the 2020 renovation and is the named pastor on school administration pages.
- Rev. Steve Olson, JCL2025-present
Current Rector of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and Sacred Heart Cathedral School.
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