About Sacred Heart church of Holy Family Parish · Galveston, Texas
Sacred Heart Church, located at 1302 Broadway in Galveston, Texas, is one of the six worship sites that together form Holy Family Parish of Galveston & Bolivar. Founded in 1884 as the fourth Catholic church on Galveston Island under the direction of Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher, the parish was destroyed by the Great Storm of 1900 and rebuilt in 1903–04 in the distinctive Moorish-Gothic-Romanesque style that still marks it as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (1981). Today Sacred Heart hosts Sunday Masses at 7:30 AM and 11:00 AM, serves as a Sunday-morning site for confession, and stands as a symbol of Catholic resilience on the island, now part of the unified Holy Family Parish created by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo on August 15, 2009 in the wake of Hurricane Ike.
- Established
- 1884
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Jude Ezuma
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is one of six historic worship sites in Holy Family Parish, giving parishioners the rare gift of choosing where to pray — from a 1904 Recorded Texas Historic Landmark to a youth-focused Mass at St. Patrick, the Cathedral Basilica, or the chapel at Holy Family Catholic School. The community offers OCIA (formerly RCIA), ongoing faith formation for children and youth, a food-distribution ministry in partnership with the Galveston County Food Bank, and a PreK-3 through 8th-grade Catholic school, all under the pastoral care of Fr. Jude Ezuma and parochial vicars Fr. J. Serrato and Fr. Stephen Payne. For a Catholic on Galveston Island or the Bolivar Peninsula, this is a single parish that unites centuries of island Catholic history with the day-to-day life of a contemporary faith community.
Mass times at Sacred Heart church of Holy Family Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Church
- Sunday 8:30 AM at Holy Rosary Church
- Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM at St. Patrick Church
- Saturday 5:30 PM at Our Lady by the Sea (Port Bolivar)
- Saturday 6:30 PM at Mary Star of the Sea (Jamaica Beach)
- Wednesday 4:30–5:30 PM at Ursuline Chapel
- Or by appointment — call 409-762-9646
Adoration times
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Perpetual Adoration Chapel at the Holy Family Parish Life Center (1525 25th Street) — contact the Parish Office for an access code or to commit to a regular hour as an adorer
- Wednesday 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (per third-party parish schedule)
Sacred Heart Church — History & Architecture
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, at 1302 Broadway, has been a spiritual and architectural treasure on Galveston Island since its founding in 1884. Established under Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher, the third Bishop of Galveston, the parish was organized on June 21, 1884 with the appointment of Reverend John F. O'Connor, and celebrated its first Mass one month later in the chapel of St. Mary's University. The original 1892 church by the noted Texas architect Nicholas J. Clayton was a French Romanesque structure that, at the time of completion, was the largest church building in the state of Texas. The present-day building, completed and consecrated on January 17, 1904, is a Moorish-style design enriched with Gothic and Romanesque influences, with a gleaming white façade, octagonal towers, flying buttresses, graceful arches, and a prominent onion-shaped dome. The church was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1981.
Founding and the First Church (1884–1900)
Sacred Heart was organized in 1884 as the fourth Catholic church on Galveston Island. The parish worshipped in the chapel of St. Mary's University for nearly eight years before its first purpose-built church — a French Romanesque design by Nicholas J. Clayton — was completed in 1892 and dedicated on January 17 of that year by Bishop Gallagher to the Sacred Heart of our Divine Redeemer.
- June 21, 1884 — Rev. John F. O'Connor appointed to organize the parish
- July 20, 1884 — First Mass celebrated by Father Alevin in the chapel of St. Mary's University
- 1892 — Original French Romanesque church completed and dedicated; at the time the largest church building in Texas
The Great Storm of 1900 and the Rebuilding (1900–1904)
On September 8, 1900, the Great Galveston Hurricane and its estimated 15-foot storm surge destroyed the newly built church. Only a few sacred items survived, including the Mass bell and a statue of the Sacred Heart. Under Pastor Rev. D. J. Murphy, the parish resolved to rebuild immediately. Jesuit Father Peter Jimenez designed the new structure; Bishop Gallagher laid the cornerstone on June 21, 1903; and the rebuilt church was completed and consecrated on January 17, 1904.
- Architect of rebuilt church: Jesuit Father Peter Jimenez
- Cornerstone laid June 21, 1903
- Church completed and consecrated January 17, 1904
Architectural Significance
The new Sacred Heart was built in a Moorish style enriched with Gothic and Romanesque influences. Its gleaming white façade, octagonal towers, flying buttresses, graceful arches, and impressive dome make it one of the most recognizable — and architecturally distinctive — ecclesiastical buildings in Texas, and the reason it was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1981.
- Style: Moorish with Gothic and Romanesque influences
- Features: gleaming white façade, octagonal towers, flying buttresses, dome
- Recorded Texas Historic Landmark — 1981
Storms, Restoration, and Enduring Resilience
The 1915 hurricane destroyed the church's elegant original dome; Nicholas Clayton — architect of the parish's first church — was commissioned to design the onion-shaped dome that still crowns the building today. The Sacred Heart statue salvaged from 1900 was placed atop the new dome until 1948, when a lightning strike necessitated its removal. In 1950, a Carrara marble replica of the Christ of the Andes was installed in its place. On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike caused significant roof damage and flooding; repairs were completed by the end of 2011.
- 1915 — original dome destroyed; onion-shaped dome designed by Nicholas Clayton
- 1948 — Sacred Heart statue struck by lightning and removed
- 1950 — Carrara marble Christ of the Andes replica placed atop the dome
- 2008 — Hurricane Ike damages roof and floods the church
- 2011 — major repairs completed
Holy Family Parish of Galveston & Bolivar
Sacred Heart is one of six worship sites that together form Holy Family Parish, the Catholic parish serving all of Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula. On August 15, 2009, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo canonically erected Holy Family Parish in response to the devastation of Hurricane Ike. It united the Catholic communities previously served by St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica, Sacred Heart, St. Patrick, Holy Rosary, Mary Star of the Sea, Our Mother of Mercy, Reina de la Paz, St. Peter the Apostle, and St. Theresa of Lisieux parishes. The parish is currently served by Pastor Fr. Jude Ezuma and parochial vicars Fr. J. Serrato and Fr. Stephen Payne, with the unifying mission: 'One Holy Family Parish, united in the joy of the Holy Spirit and in charity, as missionary disciples.'
- Parish Office & Life Center: 1525 25th Street, Galveston, TX 77550
- Phone: 409-762-9646
- Six worship sites: St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica, St. Patrick, Sacred Heart, Holy Rosary, Mary Star of the Sea (Jamaica Beach), Our Lady by the Sea (Port Bolivar)
- Parish established August 15, 2009 by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo
Religious Education & Youth Ministry
Holy Family Parish runs a full faith-formation program for children, youth, and adults, coordinated by Sisters of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ) and supported by lay staff.
- Director of Religious Education: Sr. Emilia Ogar, HHCJ ([email protected], Ext. 202)
- Religious Education: Sr. Betty Kalu, HHCJ ([email protected], Ext. 213)
- Faith Formation Assistant: Allan Weilert
- Youth Minister: Jennifer Gay ([email protected], Ext. 201)
OCIA — Becoming Catholic (Adults)
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), formerly known as RCIA, is the parish's process for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. The program runs from September to May each year and combines systematic teaching of the Catholic faith with discernment, community involvement, and the sacraments of initiation.
- Program runs September to May each year
- Combines catechesis with discernment and parish life
- Open to adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, and/or Eucharist
Family Life & Pastoral Ministries
The Family Life and Pastoral Ministries office coordinates adult faith formation, sacramental preparation for adults, and outreach to neighbors in need. The Food Distribution Ministry partners with the Galveston County Food Bank to serve the wider Galveston community.
- Coordinator: Sr. Emilia Ogar, HHCJ ([email protected], Ext. 202)
- Food Distribution — 1st Thursday of each month, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM, in partnership with the Galveston County Food Bank
- Adult Confirmation preparation
Holy Family Catholic School
Holy Family Catholic School serves students in PreK-3 through 8th grade in a small, Christ-centered environment on the parish campus. The school welcomes students of all faiths and cultures and seeks to develop each child academically and spiritually, partnering with parents and the wider parish community.
- Grades: PreK-3 through 8th grade
- Welcomes students of all faiths and cultures
- Located on the Holy Family Parish campus at 1525 25th Street, Galveston
- Tuition assistance available
Sacraments
Holy Family Parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation, healing, and vocation through age-appropriate faith formation, adult OCIA, and ongoing pastoral support. Contact the parish office at 409-762-9646 for current preparation requirements and to register.
- Baptism — requires a recently issued baptism certificate and completion of Proximate and Immediate Preparation Lessons
- Eucharist
- Confirmation — including a separate process for adult Confirmation
- Marriage — preparation and information through the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick and other pastoral sacraments available through the parish office
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Jude Ezuma and parochial vicars Fr. J. Serrato and Fr. Stephen Payne, with religious and lay staff supporting faith formation, family life, and youth ministry.
- Fr. Jude Ezuma — Pastor
- Fr. J. Serrato — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Stephen Payne — Parochial Vicar
- Sr. Emilia Ogar, HHCJ — Director of Religious Education / Coordinator of Family Life and Pastoral Ministries
- Sr. Betty Kalu, HHCJ — Religious Education
- Allan Weilert — Faith Formation Assistant
- Jennifer Gay — Youth Minister
Visit & Contact
Sacred Heart Church is at 1302 Broadway, Galveston, TX 77550, on the island's east-end historic corridor. The parish office that serves all six worship sites is at 1525 25th Street, Galveston, TX 77550, with a 25th Street parking lot adjacent to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Perpetual Adoration Chapel.
- Sacred Heart Church: 1302 Broadway, Galveston, TX 77550
- Parish Office & Life Center: 1525 25th Street, Galveston, TX 77550
- Phone: 409-762-9646
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://holyfamilygb.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John F. O'Connor1884 (appointed)
Appointed by Bishop Gallagher on June 21, 1884 to organize the new Sacred Heart Parish.
- Father Alevin1884
Celebrated the first Mass for Sacred Heart Parish on July 20, 1884 in the chapel of St. Mary's University.
- Rev. D. J. Murphy1900–1904
Led the parish in rebuilding after the Great Storm of 1900; the present church was completed and consecrated on January 17, 1904.