About Sacred Heart - Campbellton · Campbellton, Texas
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a small historic parish in the rural community of Campbellton, Texas (Atascosa County), founded in 1897 and now sharing clergy, office, bulletin, and faith formation with St. Andrew Parish in nearby Pleasanton. The current church is a stone sanctuary rebuilt in 1939 in memory of Mary Tom Dunn, and it retains the original 1897 bell, native-stone craftsmanship, and a beautiful cycle of faceted stained-glass windows installed by Cavallini Studios. Sacred Heart continues to serve the people of Campbellton with Sunday and weekday Mass, monthly reconciliation, Holy Hour adoration, First Friday and First Saturday devotions, and a vibrant St. Vincent de Paul food-distribution outreach to local neighbors in need.
- Established
- 1897
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Arul Francis Arputham, MSFS (Administrator, since July 1, 2024)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a tight-knit, historic rural parish where the same family lines that founded the town in the 1800s still worship under the same bell that has rung since 1897. Connected to St. Andrew Parish in Pleasanton, it offers an English-language Sunday Mass, a weekday Mass, regular adoration, monthly reconciliation, healing Masses, and a hands-on St. Vincent de Paul food-distribution ministry that meets local Campbellton families right in the church parking lot. For anyone wanting a small, deeply rooted Catholic community with a beautiful stone sanctuary and real neighbor-to-neighbor outreach, Sacred Heart is a fitting home.
Mass times at Sacred Heart - Campbellton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 1st Sunday: 8:30 AM – 8:55 AM
Adoration times
- Thursdays: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Holy Hour)
Parish History
Sacred Heart's story begins with the first Mass celebrated in John Campbell's dining room in Campbellton, with the family table serving as an altar. The congregation outgrew the home and moved to the community's first schoolhouse, then in 1897 John Campbell donated land for the building of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church — the first Catholic church in the area. In 1899, Rev. P.P. Zard, D.D., arrived and traveled by buggy and horse from Floresville for 27 years. The 1897 church served until 1939, when the bell fell from the tower.
- First Mass held in the Campbell home dining room (table as altar).
- First church building constructed 1897 on land donated by John Campbell.
- Pastor P.P. Zard served 1899–1926 from Floresville.
- Original bell fell in 1939, prompting the current rebuild.
The 1939 Rebuild and Sanctuary
After the 1897 bell fell, the community rebuilt Sacred Heart in memory of Mrs. Mary Tom Dunn. Her husband John Dunn contributed $10,000, and contractor K.G. Granberg was engaged. Native limestone from the Edmond Tom family ranch was hand-carved to form the walls of the new church, giving it a distinctive Mexican-style appearance. When the walls were half-built, Archbishop Arthur J. Drossaerts of San Antonio blessed and dedicated the sanctuary on December 3, 1939. The original 1897 bell still hangs in the rebuilt tower, and the church seats about 250.
- Rebuilt in memory of Mary Tom Dunn; $10,000 donated by John Dunn.
- Contractor K.G. Granberg; native stone from the Edmond Tom family ranch, hand-carved.
- Dedicated December 3, 1939 by Archbishop Arthur J. Drossaerts.
- Capacity approximately 250; Mexican-style architectural features.
- Original 1897 bell preserved and rehung in the new tower.
Stained Glass — Cavallini Studios
The sanctuary of Sacred Heart is enriched by a full cycle of faceted stained-glass windows designed, fabricated, and installed by Cavallini Co., Inc. The windows walk the viewer through the Bible: Creation, the Burning Bush, Noah's Ark, the Nativity, the Baptism of Christ, the Wedding at Cana, the Calling of the Disciples, the Feeding of the Multitude, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, Pentecost, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
- Cycle of faceted glass windows by Cavallini Studios.
- Subjects span Creation → Pentecost, plus Our Lady of Guadalupe and Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Mass and Liturgy at Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart offers a simple, traditional weekly schedule rooted in the rhythms of its rural community. Mass is celebrated in English on Sunday mornings and Thursday afternoons, with the Sacrament of Reconciliation offered once a month before Mass. The parish also joins the wider St. Andrew / Sacred Heart community for monthly devotions and a Healing Mass.
- Sunday Mass: 9:00 AM (English)
- Thursday Mass: 4:00 PM (English)
- Confessions: 1st Sunday, 8:30 – 8:55 AM
- Part of the shared St. Andrew / Sacred Heart liturgical calendar.
St. Vincent de Paul Outreach
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul — the parish's principal charity arm — runs a targeted food-assistance ministry for Campbellton residents in need. Food bags are distributed in the Sacred Heart church parking lot, shortly after Sunday Mass on the last Sunday of each month, beginning February 22 (2026 bulletin). This hyper-local outreach makes Sacred Heart a tangible lifeline for rural families in Atascosa County.
- St. Vincent de Paul food-bag distribution for Campbellton residents.
- Distributed in the Sacred Heart parking lot after Sunday Mass.
- Last Sunday of each month.
Parish Staff and Clergy
Sacred Heart shares its pastoral team and office staff with St. Andrew Parish in Pleasanton. The current Administrator is Fr. Arul Francis Arputham, MSFS (appointed July 1, 2024), supported by four deacons — including one retired — and a lay staff handling religious education, administration, bookkeeping, and facilities.
- Rev. Arul Francis Arputham, MSFS — Administrator
- Deacon Bennie Garcia Jr. (Retired)
- Deacon Kurt G. Warnken
- Deacon Joey Moczygemba
- Deacon Frank Douglas Jr.
- Debbie Shows — Director of Religious Education
- Nancy Antu — Administrative Assistant
- Stephanie Gutierrez — Bookkeeper
- Terry Garcia — Maintenance
Faith Formation
Religious education for both St. Andrew and Sacred Heart families is coordinated through the shared parish office in Pleasanton, open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:00 – 1:00 PM).
- Religious Education Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (lunch 12:00 – 1:00 PM closed).
- DRE: Debbie Shows.
Sacraments
In addition to the regular Mass and confession schedule at Sacred Heart, parishioners may access additional reconciliation times at St. Andrew in Pleasanton and arrange baptisms, weddings, and other sacraments through the parish office.
- Confession at Sacred Heart: 1st Sunday, 8:30 – 8:55 AM.
- Additional confession at St. Andrew: Wednesdays 5:30 – 6:30 PM and Saturdays 4:30 – 5:30 PM.
- Parish office shared with St. Andrew, 626 Market Street, Pleasanton, TX 78064 (830-569-3356 or 830-281-4902).
Visit and Contact
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is at 365 St. Francis Avenue in Campbellton, Texas 78008. The parish shares one office, one bulletin, and one website with St. Andrew Parish in Pleasanton; the office phone is (830) 281-4902 and the website is standrewpleasanton.org.
- Address: 365 St. Francis Ave., Campbellton, TX 78008
- Phone: (830) 281-4902
- Website: http://standrewpleasanton.org
- Archdiocese: Archdiocese of San Antonio
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. P.P. Zard, D.D.1899–1926
Traveled by buggy and horse from Floresville to serve Sacred Heart for 27 years.
- Rev. Arthur J. Drossaerts1939
Archbishop of San Antonio who blessed and dedicated the rebuilt church on December 3, 1939, in memory of Mary Tom Dunn.