About Sacred Heart Catholic Church · Crosby, Texas
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Roman Catholic parish in Crosby, Texas, in the northeast Houston metro area. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston and is the spiritual home of Sacred Heart Catholic School, founded in 1948. The parish traces its roots to 1908, when Mass was first celebrated in Crosby homes by missionary priests arriving by train, and it has grown into a multi-generational community of faith serving Crosby and the surrounding area for more than a century.
- Established
- 1935
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Emmanuel Akpaidem, M.S.P.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a century-old bilingual Catholic community rooted in the Crosby area that offers the full rhythm of Catholic life in a close-knit setting: daily Mass, Saturday Vigil, two English Sunday Masses plus a Spanish Mass, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and First Friday and First Saturday devotions. Families can raise their children in the faith through Sacred Heart Catholic School (founded 1948) and a full Faith Formation program for PreK4 through 12th grade, while adults grow through RCIA, Adult Formation, and youth ministry. With three deacons, a long-running Catholic Daughters junior court, and a parish school just down Runneburg Road, it is a place where multi-generational parish life and daily prayer still anchor the week.
Mass times at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 1st Saturday Devotion/Reconciliation: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (followed by Rosary and Mass at 9:00 AM)
- By appointment / contact the parish office at (281) 328-4871
Adoration times
- Tuesday–Friday: Adoration in the Chapel after the 8:30 AM morning Mass
- Friday Holy Hour: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Parish History
Catholic life in Crosby began in 1908, when missionaries traveling by train celebrated Mass in the homes of roughly 20 Catholic families. In 1913, those families — with Rev. W. Lang — built Crosby's first Catholic church for $1,100. The 30-by-60-foot structure, built by Rudolph Lostak and finished in 1914 by Fritz Weber, featured a high bell tower and a domed ceiling painted like a blue sky with stars and angels. A 1915 storm blew the building off its blocks; it was rebuilt by Joseph Malchar Sr. The parish was formally established with its first resident pastor, Rev. Chas Kunc, in 1935–1936. Father Kunc built the first rectory (still in use) and a second church in 1940, which stood until 1981. The present church was built in 1977–1978 by Father John Feidler at a cost of $375,000, and the first Mass was held on Christmas Day, 1978. The parish's own history page notes that 'It is unknown how Sacred Heart Church got its name.'
- 1908: First Masses in Crosby homes by visiting missionary priests
- 1913–1914: First church built; cost $1,100; finished by Fritz Weber
- 1915: Storm destroys first church; rebuilt by Joseph Malchar Sr.
- 1935–1936: Parish formally established; Rev. Chas Kunc becomes first resident pastor
- 1940: Father Kunc builds the second church
- 1977–1978: Father John Feidler builds the present church; first Mass Dec. 25, 1978
- 1981: Second church torn down; original school building burns
- 1986: Parish celebrates 50 years
Parish Staff and Clergy
Sacred Heart is led by Rev. Emmanuel Akpaidem, M.S.P., a member of the Missionaries of St. Paul, who serves as Pastor. He is assisted by three deacons — Deacon James Hamm, Deacon Archie Benham (retired), and Deacon Fortunato Guevara — and by Director of Religious Education Sharon Cotton and Parish Secretary Rosa Solis. The parish previously was served by Rev. Gary Rickles and by Rev. Christian Unachukwu, M.S.P., per Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston pastoral appointments.
- Pastor: Rev. Emmanuel Akpaidem, M.S.P.
- Deacon James Hamm
- Deacon Archie Benham (Retired)
- Deacon Fortunato Guevara
- Director of Religious Education: Mrs. Sharon Cotton
- Parish Secretary: Mrs. Rosa Solis
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation at Sacred Heart partners with parents to teach children to know and love the Catholic Faith, with programs for PreK4 through 12th grade. Registration for the 2025–2026 Faith Formation year closed August 22, 2025, with bilingual orientation meetings held in the Parish Hall (Spanish August 23; English August 24). Adult and youth volunteers serve as catechists, classroom assistants, and prayer leaders. Adult Faith Formation is also offered year-round, drawing on Catechesi Tradendae's teaching that adult formation is 'the principal form of catechesis.'
- Faith Formation Class & Children O.C.I.A. (PreK4–12th grade)
- Youth Formation (grades 6–12)
- Adult Faith Formation
- Bilingual registration and orientation
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process through which adults explore and enter the Catholic Church, running each year from September through initiation at the Easter Vigil. Classes meet Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in Room A and are led by Mr. John Cox. The program welcomes Catholics wanting to deepen their faith, spouses of Catholics, baptized Christians from other traditions, and the unbaptized.
- When: Wednesdays, 6:30–8:30 PM, Room A
- Led by: Mr. John Cox, (281) 328-4871
- Runs: September through Easter Vigil
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Sacred Heart Catholic School has educated students from Kindergarten through 8th grade since 1948 and is recognized as a pillar of Catholic education in the Crosby community. After the original school building burned in 1981, Father John Feidler built the present school building, completed in 1982. In 2003, Rev. Terence Brinkman added the Early Childhood Building, expanding the school to its youngest learners. The school is led by Principal Susan Harris, M.Ed., and partners closely with the parish for the sacramental and faith life of its students.
- Founded 1948 by the parish
- Original school building burned 1981; present school building completed 1982 by Fr. John Feidler
- Early Childhood Building added 2003 by Fr. Terence Brinkman
- Principal: Susan Harris, M.Ed.
- Address: 907 Runneburg Rd., Crosby, TX 77532; (281) 328-6561
Parish Ministries and Groups
Sacred Heart offers a number of ways for parishioners to give of their time and talent. The Junior Catholic Daughters is open to Catholic girls ages 6–18 and develops faith through monthly service and activity in the parish and wider community. Other parish opportunities are coordinated through the parish office and ministries page.
- RCIA (Becoming Catholic)
- Adult Faith Formation
- Faith Formation & Children O.C.I.A.
- Youth Ministry (grades 6–12)
- Junior Catholic Daughters (ages 6–18) — contact Claudia Londrigan, (281) 415-0475
Liturgy and Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church: Baptism, Confirmation (Chrismation), Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The parish's Liturgy & Sacraments page grounds parish life in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (citing CCC 1113, 1116, and 1082), describing the sacraments as 'the masterworks of God' in the new and everlasting covenant.
- All seven sacraments celebrated
- Mass intentions may be scheduled by calling the Church Office
- Communion brought to the pew upon request to the Deacon before Mass
Visit, Contact, and Location
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is located at 915 Runneburg Road in Crosby, Texas 77532, on the same road as Sacred Heart Catholic School. The parish office can be reached at (281) 328-4871 (fax (281) 328-1075). The parish maintains an active Facebook page under the name 'Sacred Heart Catholic Church Crosby, TX' and lists its full schedule of Masses, devotions, and Adoration on its Visit Us and Mass Times pages.
- Address: 915 Runneburg Rd., Crosby, TX 77532
- Phone: (281) 328-4871 | Fax: (281) 328-1075
- Website: https://shcrosby.org/
- Facebook: Sacred Heart Catholic Church Crosby, TX
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Chas Kunc1936–
First resident pastor of Sacred Heart; built the first rectory (still in use) and the second church building in 1940.
- Rev. John Feidler
Built the present church in 1977–1978 (first Mass Dec. 25, 1978) and the present school building completed in 1982 after the original school burned in 1981.
- Rev. Terence Brinkman
Built the Early Childhood Building at the school in 2003.
- Rev. Gary RicklesEffective July 1, 2020
Appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart, Crosby by the Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston.
- Rev. Christian Unachukwu, M.S.P.Effective January 1
Served as Administrator of Sacred Heart, Crosby.
- Rev. Emmanuel Akpaidem, M.S.P.Effective September 10
Moved from Administrator to Pastor of Sacred Heart, Crosby.