About Sacred Heart Catholic Church · Coronado, California
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish located at 655 C Avenue in Coronado, California, in the Diocese of San Diego. The parish traces its origins to 1887, when the local Catholic community first gathered for Mass in a chapel inside the Coronado Beach Building. Now approaching 140 years of continuous ministry, Sacred Heart serves Coronado and the surrounding bayside community with Sunday and weekday Masses, year-round faith formation for children and adults, an active OCIA (formerly RCIA) process, Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust calendar of outreach and spiritual-growth groups. The 1920 church building, designed by noted architect Irving Gill, has been designated a Coronado historic site and is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Mission Revival ecclesiastical architecture in California.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Michael F. Murphy
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a faithful, century-old Coronado parish where the parish website openly emphasizes that its people are 'nourished by the Eucharist, supported by each other, and uplifted by God's blessings.' Members can worship at five Sunday Masses, attend weekday Mass and a morning Communion Service Monday through Friday, and pray before the Blessed Sacrament during Wednesday Adoration. The parish invests deeply in every age and stage — Children's Religious Education, Youth Ministry and Confirmation, a Young Adult Ministry, a year-round OCIA process for adults discerning Catholicism, and ongoing Adult Faith Formation — all under a full-time Director of Catechetical Ministry. Outreach ministries and parish organizations give parishioners concrete ways to serve the local community, while the historic Irving Gill sanctuary and Heart of Jesus Prayer Garden offer places for quiet prayer and devotion.
Mass times at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 – 4:30 PM (in the church)
- Parish Reconciliation Services during Advent and Lent (call the parish office for the current schedule)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM, St. Francis Chapel (with Benediction at 11:45 AM) — June through August
- Wednesday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM, St. Francis Chapel (with Benediction at 3:45 PM) — September through May
- Special 250 Holy Hours of Adoration campaigns throughout the year (see parish calendar)
Our History: 138 Years of Faith in Coronado
Sacred Heart's story begins in 1887 with Father Antonio Ubach celebrating the first Mass in a chapel inside the Coronado Beach Building at 124 Orange Avenue. After Mrs. T.J. Fisher donated the 7th and B Street lot in 1891, an 80-seat church was built and dedicated that Easter, and Father Robert Byrne became the parish's first resident pastor in 1897. Under Father James W. Collins (1906–1924) the parish grew so much during World War I that a larger church was needed; Collins engaged Irving Gill to design the current sanctuary, which was dedicated in 1920 and praised by Bishop Cantwell as 'one of the most perfect examples of ecclesiastical architecture in California.' Father John Purcell then guided the parish for 35 years (1941–1976), opening Sacred Heart Parish School in 1947 with Benedictine Sisters from Atchison, Kansas, and being elevated to domestic prelate by Pope Pius XII in 1953. The building was named a Coronado Historical Site in 1980 and the parish was led by Monsignor John R. Portman from 1976 to 1996, during which time the 1983 'Operation Facelift' renovation re-centered the sanctuary around the altar. Bishop Robert H. Brom appointed Father Michael F. Murphy — himself ordained at Sacred Heart in 1983 — as pastor in 1996, and he continues to lead the parish today.
- 1887 — first Mass in the Coronado Beach Building chapel
- 1891 — first church built at 7th & B, donated by Mrs. T.J. Fisher
- 1897 — Father Robert Byrne becomes first resident pastor
- 1906 — Father James W. Collins begins pastorate
- 1920 — current church designed by Irving Gill, dedicated by Bishop Cantwell
- 1941 — Father John Purcell appointed pastor
- 1947 — Sacred Heart Parish School opens (Benedictine Sisters, Atchison, Kansas)
- 1953 — Monsignor Purcell elevated to domestic prelate by Pope Pius XII
- 1976 — Monsignor John R. Portman succeeds Purcell
- 1980 — church designated a Coronado Historical Site
- 1982 — Deacon Franklin Osgood ordained as parish's first permanent deacon
- 1983 — Operation Facelift renovation; Father Michael Murphy ordained at Sacred Heart
- 1996 — Bishop Brom appoints Father Michael F. Murphy as pastor
- 2017 — building designated a City of Coronado Historic Resource
Clergy & Parish Staff
Father Michael F. Murphy has served as pastor of Sacred Heart since 1996. He is assisted by Msgr. Donal Sheahan and Auxiliary Bishop Neal J. Buckon (Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA) as priests in residence, and by a team of six permanent deacons: Federico Drachenberg, Bobby Ehnow, Robert Griffin, Kevin Murray, John Roberts, and Dave Warren. A full parish staff led by Business Manager Stephanie Johnson supports the parish's ministries, faith formation, music, weddings, marriage prep, and facilities.
- Pastor: Rev. Michael F. Murphy
- In Residence: Msgr. Donal Sheahan; Most Reverend Neal J. Buckon (Aux. Bishop, Archdiocese for the Military Services)
- Deacons: Federico Drachenberg, Bobby Ehnow, Robert Griffin, Kevin Murray, John Roberts, Dave Warren
- Business Manager: Stephanie Johnson (ext. 305)
- Parish Secretary: Karla Silva (ext. 301)
- Director of Catechetical Ministry: Cary Gould (ext. 302)
- Coordinator of Faith Formation (3 yrs – 18 yrs) & Young Adult Ministry: Katherine Soper
- Youth/Confirmation: Lauren Gauvin (ext. 306)
- Music Coordinator: Pat Robell (ext. 310)
- Wedding Coordinator: Anne Rising (ext. 308)
- Marriage Coordinator: Alejandra Casas-Sage
- Maintenance: Kathy Fink (Coordinator), Gary Sypteras, Mary Lou Ibarra
Faith Formation for Children, Youth & Adults
Under Director of Catechetical Ministry Cary Gould, Sacred Heart's Faith Formation program serves parishioners of every age. Children's Religious Education begins around age five or six and follows a two-year preparation track that ideally precedes First Reconciliation and First Communion (typically in 2nd grade) and Confirmation (typically in 10th grade). Coordinator Katherine Soper leads both the Children's Religious Education and Middle & High School Youth Ministry, while Lauren Gauvin coordinates Youth/Confirmation ministry. Young Adult Ministry is also active through the YAM program. The parish views parents as the 'first teachers' of faith and the home as the 'domestic church.'
- Children's Religious Education (Pre-K through 8th grade)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation (2-year process)
- Confirmation preparation (typically 10th grade)
- Middle & High School Youth Ministry
- Young Adult Ministry (YAM)
- Adult Faith Formation
OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Sacred Heart runs a year-round OCIA process (formerly known as RCIA) for adults discerning the Catholic faith. The parish describes it as a personalized formation program rather than a class to 'graduate' from, serving those never baptized who want to become Catholic, baptized Christians seeking full communion, baptized Catholics needing Confirmation or First Communion, and Catholics who want to serve as sponsors. Candidates need a fully confirmed, practicing Catholic sponsor and are encouraged to attend Sunday Mass as part of the journey. Contact the Ministry Center at (619) 435-3167 or [email protected] to begin.
- Year-round, personalized intake — start whenever you are ready
- Serves unbaptized adults, other Christians, and Catholics completing Initiation
- Adult Confirmation preparation available
- Sponsor guidance provided if needed
- Contact: [email protected] or (619) 435-3167
Spiritual Growth & Small Communities
Beyond the sacraments, Sacred Heart offers a wide range of ongoing groups and resources to help parishioners grow in prayer and discipleship. These include Bible Study Groups, a Contemplative Prayer Group, Cursillos in Christianity, Small Church Communities, Mom's In Prayer, a Vocation Awareness group, and a Discernment and Prayer Series with Father Mike Murphy himself. The parish also provides homilies online and curated resources for prayer and study.
- Adoration
- Bible Study Groups
- Contemplative Prayer Group
- Cursillos in Christianity
- Discernment and Prayer Series with Fr. Mike Murphy
- Heart of Jesus Prayer Garden
- Mom's In Prayer
- Small Church Communities
- Vocation Awareness
- Young Adults Ministry
- Online homilies and prayer resources
Parish Life, Outreach & Family Ministry
Sacred Heart's Parish Life section groups its many activities into Liturgical Ministries, Parish Organizations, Parish Outreach, Family Life & Spirituality, a Special Needs Parent Support group, and ongoing News, Photos, and Upcoming Events. Music is led by Music Coordinator Pat Robell, and the parish supports couples through dedicated Wedding Coordinator Anne Rising and Marriage Coordinator Alejandra Casas-Sage.
- Family Life & Spirituality
- Liturgical Ministries
- Parish Organizations
- Parish Outreach
- Special Needs Parent Support
- Music Ministry (Pat Robell, ext. 310)
- Wedding & Marriage Preparation
Visit, Contact & Get Involved
Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed at Sacred Heart. The parish worships at 655 C Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118, with a Ministry Center phone line at (619) 435-3167 and general inquiries handled at [email protected]. The website's bulletin, calendar, and live-stream links make it easy to follow along from anywhere; the parish Facebook page (SHCCoronado) shares ongoing news and event photos. The parish also runs a major capital campaign to fund the next generation of ministry on the campus.
- Address: 655 C Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118
- Phone: (619) 435-3167
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: sacredheartcor.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/SHCCoronado
- Live-streamed Mass available online
- Capital campaign underway (Goal $9,000,000; pledged reported on website)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Antonio Ubach1887–c.1897
Celebrated the first Mass in the Coronado Beach Building chapel at 124 Orange Ave. and later dedicated the first church in 1891; legendary early San Diego priest.
- Father Robert Byrne1897–1899
First resident pastor; raised in San Francisco, ordained at Old St. Mary's Cathedral.
- Fathers Stotters, P.J. McManus, W. Bettle, J.J. Sheehey, and Bannon1899–1906
Series of priests following Fr. Byrne's resignation.
- Rev. James W. Collins1906–1924
Former VP of Georgetown University; commissioned Irving Gill to design the current church, dedicated 1920.
- Father John Purcell1941–1976
Guided the parish for 35 years; opened Sacred Heart Parish School in 1947; elevated to Monsignor / domestic prelate by Pope Pius XII, installation Mass Dec. 9, 1953.
- Monsignor John R. Portman1976–1996
Succeeded Monsignor Purcell; oversaw the 1983 'Operation Facelift' renovation.
- Monsignor Jeremiah O'Sullivan1996
Succeeded Monsignor Portman as co-pastor in 1996.
- Rev. Michael F. Murphy1996–present
Appointed pastor by Bishop Robert H. Brom; himself ordained at Sacred Heart in 1983.