About Sacred Heart Catholic Church · Conroe, Texas
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a thriving Roman Catholic parish in Conroe, Texas, part of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Founded in 1898 as a mission in the Andrew J. and Hattie Madeley home, the parish has grown into a community of more than 7,500 families served by roughly 70 ministries, a parish school of about 260 students, and over 1,000 students in religious education. Three priests and two religious sisters live on the campus, which is anchored by a 1,500-seat main church dedicated on November 8, 2018 alongside a 200-seat chapel designed as a replica of the original St. Mary's of the Woods mission church. Worship is offered in English and Spanish, with daily and weekend Masses, four days of Eucharistic Adoration, and regular opportunities for Reconciliation.
- Established
- 1898
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Nicolas (Nicolas) Ramirez
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers the rare combination of a historic, downtown Conroe parish (founded 1898, roots in the oil-boom era and the Madeley and McDade families) and a very large, multi-generational community of more than 7,500 families. Visitors will find a vibrant bilingual liturgical life (English and Spanish daily and weekend Masses), four days a week of Eucharistic Adoration in St. Mary's of the Woods Chapel, frequent opportunities for Reconciliation, an on-campus parish school (Sacred Heart Catholic School, founded 1958) serving pre-K through 8th grade, and roughly 70 active ministries spanning faith formation, outreach to the homeless and incarcerated, marriage prep, OCIA/RCIA, youth (Edge and Confirmation), music (multiple English and Spanish choirs), and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus — all on a campus that includes the newly dedicated 1,500-seat sanctuary and chapel.
Mass times at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (Bilingual)
- Tuesday & Thursday 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM (Bilingual)
- Wednesday 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM (Bilingual)
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Bilingual)
- First Friday 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (Bilingual)
- First Saturday 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM (Bilingual)
Adoration times
- Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (St. Mary of the Woods Chapel; no Adoration when parish office is closed; Blessed Sacrament temporarily reposed during all Masses)
Our Story & Parish History
Sacred Heart Parish traces its roots to 1898, when Andrew Jackson Madeley invited the Reverend Joseph I. Kline of Plantersville to celebrate the first known Mass in Conroe — a 29-mile horseback journey — in the Madeley home at Second and Sherman Streets near the railroad tracks. The first mission church, the wood-frame St. Mary's of the Woods, was built on land donated by the McDade family on South Main Street at Avenue G and was dedicated by Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher on October 25, 1916. A larger brick Sacred Heart church followed on the present North Frazier Street campus, largely funded by oilman George Strake (discoverer of the Conroe oil field) and his brother-in-law William Pfifner, and dedicated by Bishop C. E. Byrne on November 9, 1935.
- 1898 — first Mass in Conroe, in the Madeley home
- 1912 — first St. Mary's of the Woods frame church completed
- 1916 — Bishop Gallagher dedicates St. Mary's of the Woods
- 1935 — Bishop Byrne consecrates altar and dedicates Sacred Heart brick church (Nov. 9)
- 1943 — Father Thomas M. Cemon appointed first permanent pastor
- 1951 — Father Timothy T. Cronin named second pastor
- 1959 — Sacred Heart School opens with Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati
- 2018 (Nov. 8) — Cardinal DiNardo dedicates new 1,500-seat church and 200-seat chapel
- 2014 — Montgomery County Historical Commission marker placed (English and Spanish)
Clergy, Deacons & Parish Staff
Sacred Heart is currently served by a pastor and three parochial vicars, with four deacons and a large lay staff supporting parish and school operations. The pastoral team lives on campus alongside two religious sisters.
- Pastor — Fr. Nicolas Ramirez
- Parochial Vicars — Fr. Matthew Krusleski, Fr. Tony (Antonio Castro), Fr. Joppan Chethikunnel Philip, O.S.H., Fr. Jacob Ramirez
- Deacons — Dcn. Jeff, Dcn. Alejandro, Dcn. Richard, Dcn. Bradley
- Staff includes Executive Assistant to the Pastor, Business Manager, Director of Finance, Director of Music, Liturgy Coordinator, Director of Religious Ed./RCIA/AFF, Marriage & Annulment Coordinator, Baptism Coordinator, Spanish Music Coordinator, Jr High & High School Youth Coordinators, Front Office Manager, Web Master, Maintenance and Facilities Technicians
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Sacred Heart spans cradle to adult: K–5 CCE, Edge (6–8), Youth Confirmation (9–12), Adult Confirmation, RCIA/OCIA, Vacation Bible School, a Catholic Homeschooling Ministry, and ACE (Adult Continuing Education). The parish catechizes more than 1,000 students each year.
- CCE Grades K–5
- Edge — Jr. High CCE (Grades 6–8)
- Youth Confirmation (Grades 9–12)
- RCIA / OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
- Adult Confirmation
- ACE — Adult Continuing Education
- Vacation Bible School (VBS)
- Catholic Homeschooling Ministry
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Founded in 1958 by Father Timothy Cronin and opened in September 1959 with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, Sacred Heart Catholic School is a parish primary school serving pre-kindergarten through 8th grade at 615 McDade Street, Conroe. The school enrolls about 260 students and operates under the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, sustained by Father Cronin's original vision of 'the big need for Catholic education in the community of Conroe.'
- Founded 1958 / opened September 1959
- Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati staffed the school at opening under Sister William Mary, principal
- Grades Pre-K through 8th
- Approximately 260 students; 38 school staff
- Onsite licensed daycare for children 6 weeks to age 3
- Future Master Plan: renovated school offices and additional school facilities
Music Ministry
Sacred Heart's Music Ministry supports both English and Spanish liturgies with multiple choirs, ensembles, and a Spanish Music Coordinator. The parish also produces a weekly Catholic Podcast with priest reflections in English and Spanish.
- Traditional Choir
- St. Gregory Choir
- Contemporary Choir
- Modern Worship Ensemble
- Sunrise Cantors
- Resurrection Choir
- Ascend Worship
- Instrumentalists
- Luz y Alegria, Asunción, Amigo Cristo, Lumbrera (Spanish choirs)
- Weekly Catholic Podcast — English & Spanish
Outreach & Charity
Roughly 70 active ministries serve the parish and broader Montgomery County community, with a strong emphasis on outreach to the homeless, homebound, hospitalized, imprisoned, and unborn.
- Conroe House of Prayer (CHOP) — serves the homeless
- St. Vincent de Paul
- CMG Safe Haven
- Respect Life Ministry
- Gabriel Project
- Orphan Ministry
- Home Bound Ministry
- Hospital Ministry
- Nursing Home Ministry
- State Penitentiary
- Bridges to Life Ministry
- Habitat for Humanity
- Funeral Reception Ministry
- Bereavement Ministry
Spirituality & Evangelization
In addition to weekly Mass and Adoration, Sacred Heart supports retreats, prayer groups, and devotions — including a named Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion ministry — alongside parish-wide stewardship and discipleship formation.
- ACTS Retreats Ministry
- Charismatic Prayer Group Ministry
- Legion of Mary
- Live Christ, Share Christ Retreat Ministry
- Spiritual Direction Ministry
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion
- Vocations Ministry
- Financial Peace Ministry
- The 99 Evangelization Ministry
- Stewardship Council
Liturgical & Parish Life
Lay liturgical roles are filled by a large corps of trained volunteers, supported by an Art & Environment team that seasons the sanctuary throughout the church year.
- Altar Servers
- Audio/Visual Ministry
- Altar Society (Linens/Cleaning)
- Art & Environment
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Hospitality
- Lectors
- Sacristans
- Hispanic Ministry Council
Parish Life, Councils & Organizations
Sacred Heart's parish councils and fraternal organizations provide governance, school oversight, fellowship, and service opportunities for adults, youth, and families.
- Parish Finance Council
- SHC School Finance Committee
- SHC School Board
- Hispanic Ministry Council
- Stewardship Council
- Catholic Daughters
- Knights of Columbus
- Filipino Ministry
- Ladies Workshop
- Boy Scouts / Cub Scouts
- Special Needs Ministry (Loving Hearts)
Sacraments
Preparation and ongoing support for each sacrament are coordinated by named parish staff and ministries, including Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Annulment, Anointing of the Sick, and RCIA/OCIA.
- Baptism Preparation (infants to 6 years)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion (CCE K–5)
- Confirmation (Youth Grades 9–12 and Adult Confirmation)
- Marriage Preparation & Sponsor Couples
- Annulment Team / Marriage & Annulment Coordinator
- Anointing of the Sick (Hospital, Home Bound, Nursing Home ministries)
- RCIA / OCIA — Becoming Catholic
Becoming Catholic & Joining the Parish
Newcomers can register online through the parish office (5-business-day approval) and inquire about RCIA/OCIA, marriage preparation, and adult confirmation. The parish explicitly welcomes 'all people regardless of their spiritual struggles and failures,' describing itself as 'a hospital for sinners, not a hotel for Saints.'
- Online Parish Registration
- RCIA / OCIA inquiry for unbaptized and catechumen candidates
- Adult Confirmation
- Marriage Preparation
- Annulment Team
Facilities, Rentals & Master Plan
The campus includes the 2018 main church (1,500 seats), the St. Mary's of the Woods Chapel (200 seats), the historic 1935 brick church and 1970s sanctuary (now a fellowship hall), Sacred Heart Catholic School, a licensed daycare, a rectory, convent, and the Archangels Fellowship Hall (banquet facility available for rent). Future Master Plan phases include additional school facilities, a commercial kitchen, a parking garage, and expanded parking.
- Main Parish Church (2018, 1,500 seats)
- St. Mary's of the Woods Chapel (2018, 200 seats — replica of 1900s mission church)
- Historic 1935 brick church (still on property)
- 1970s sanctuary (now fellowship hall)
- Sacred Heart Catholic School (615 McDade St.)
- Brick rectory (1953) and two-story brick convent (gift of William Moran)
- Onsite licensed daycare (6 weeks to age 3)
- Archangels Fellowship Hall (banquet rentals)
- Future: commercial kitchen, parking garage, additional school facilities, expanded parking
Visiting & Contact
Parish Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Gift Shop: Saturday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Sunday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM. Phone (936) 756-8186; email [email protected]. Church address: 109 N. Frazier St., Conroe, TX 77301. Parish Office: 704 Old Montgomery Rd., Conroe, TX 77301.
- Phone — (936) 756-8186
- Email — [email protected]
- Church — 109 N. Frazier St., Conroe, TX 77301
- Parish Office — 704 Old Montgomery Rd., Conroe, TX 77301
- School — 615 McDade St., Conroe, TX 77301
- Flocknote email newsletter signup available on website
- Live-streamed Masses and weekly podcast online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph I. Kline1898 onward
Pastor of Plantersville; first priest to celebrate Mass in Conroe, invited by Andrew Jackson Madeley; made 29-mile horseback journey.
- Rev. Bernard Leeearly 1900s
Pastor of Plantersville; rode horseback to Conroe to administer sacraments to the Madeley daughter Nellie.
- Rev. George Wilhelmuntil 1912 (approx. 1906–1912)
Succeeded Fr. Kline at Plantersville; missionary to Conroe; oversaw construction and painting of first St. Mary's of the Woods frame church; corresponded with Bishop Gallagher.
- Rev. George Apel1913 onward
Succeeded Fr. Wilhelm at Plantersville; first visit to Conroe mission in 1913; oversaw 1916 dedication of St. Mary's of the Woods by Bishop Gallagher; later transferred to Cameron.
- Rev. George Dykalafter Fr. Apel's transfer
Oversaw the Conroe mission for a few months.
- Rev. Henry Roppsafter Fr. Dykal
Served about a year.
- Rev. V. C. Pfiffnerafter Fr. Ropps
Missionary successor at New Waverly mission over Conroe.
- Rev. Henry Parmentierearly 1930s
Pastor of St. Joseph, New Waverly; oversaw construction of larger brick Sacred Heart church on North Frazier on McDade-donated land.
- Rev. Fabian Stindleafter Fr. Parmentier
Missionary at New Waverly succeeding Fr. Parmentier.
- Rev. Max Budnikafter Fr. Stindle
Missionary at New Waverly.
- Rev. Thomas M. CemonMarch 19, 1943 – June 1951
First permanent pastor of Sacred Heart Parish; built first white-frame parish hall with donated labor; lived in sacristy storage room as first rectory.
- Rev. Timothy T. CroninJanuary 1951 – June 1968
Second pastor; built brick rectory (1953), two-story brick convent and chapel (gift of William Moran), and Sacred Heart School (1959, staffed by Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati); dedicated cafeteria and parish hall in 1968; retired after 17 years at SHC and 40+ years of priesthood.
- Msgr. David Kennedyapprox. 19 years (pre-2013)
Died August 12, 2013, age 84; ordained 1953; Defender of the Bond in the Marriage Tribunal; later retired and assisted at St. Joseph, New Waverly; integrated Hispanic community into parish life via Spanish fluency.
- Rev. Hubert Kealyafter Msgr. Kennedy
Former pastor; together with Msgr. Kennedy began the capital campaign that led to the new church sanctuary.
- Rev. Philip Wilhiteuntil 2018 dedication; through recent Archdiocese reassignment
Led 2018 Dedication Mass (Nov. 8, 2018) with parochial vicars Fr. Emmanuel Akpaidem, MSP, and Fr. Joseph Manapuram; oversaw growth to 7,000+ families and the building of the new sanctuary.
- Rev. Nicolas RamirezEffective July 1 (recent appointment)
Current pastor per Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston pastoral appointments.