About Sacred Heart · Du Quoin, Illinois
Sacred Heart Parish is a Roman Catholic congregation in Du Quoin, a small city in Perry County in southern Illinois, serving the area as part of the Diocese of Belleville. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Congregation was formed in 1863, just ten years after the incorporation of the City of Du Quoin itself, and today Sacred Heart is partnered with Immaculate Conception Parish in nearby Tamaroa to form a single pastorate. The parish operates out of a striking late-19th-century church that has long been called 'the Cathedral of Southern Illinois,' alongside a rectory, Haffner Hall (the parish center), and a historic parish cemetery, and it continues a strong tradition of Catholic education, music, and community service to the wider Du Quoin area.
- Established
- 1863
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Carl Schrage (Pastor, Sacred Heart & Immaculate Conception)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers a deeply rooted Catholic life in a small-town southern Illinois setting, with a weekend Mass and three weekday Masses, regular Reconciliation on Saturday afternoons and before Sunday Mass, and Eucharistic Adoration every Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Parishioners can join the Knights of Columbus (Council 1298, founded 1908) or the Catholic Daughters of America, sing in either the 5:00 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. choir, or help with vibrant outreach to the wider community through the Weekend Warrior weekend-food backpack program, the Du Quoin Food Pantry, the Community Clothes Closet, and St. Joseph Thrift Shop. With religious education (PSR) for grades 1–8, youth ministry, RCIA, parish school sponsorship of children attending St. Bruno Catholic School in Pinckneyville, and home visits to the sick and homebound, Sacred Heart is a welcoming pastorate that worships and serves together with Immaculate Conception in Tamaroa.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 8:00 – 8:15 a.m.
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- EVERY FRIDAY 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Parish History & Heritage
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Congregation was formally organized in 1863, just ten years after the City of Du Quoin itself was incorporated, and the parish's 1868–1911 founding pastor, Father Charles Klocke, is remembered for growing the mission from 30 families to more than 300. The 1890 church — built by immigrant communities speaking English, Italian, German, and Polish — is still called 'the Cathedral of Southern Illinois.' Sacred Heart's heritage includes a 40-acre parish cemetery (later expanded by another 15 acres) with a Knights of Columbus veterans' memorial, and a school tradition that began in Father Klocke's rectory in 1872 and continued through the century-long service of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
- Congregation organized: 1863
- First church dedicated: April 19, 1868
- Present church dedicated: November 4, 1890
- Parish cemetery acquired: 1874 (40 acres) + 15 acres donated later
- Founding pastor Father Charles Klocke served 1868–1911 (43 years)
- Most recent renovation: 1994 (new altar, baptismal font, four sanctuary windows)
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish home page lists Rev. Carl Schrage as Pastor of Sacred Heart Church and Immaculate Conception, while the parish About page identifies Rev. John Igwe, C.M. as Administrator appointed in summer 2024, and the Diocese of Belleville directory lists Rev. Longenus Odum, C.M. as Administrator — the parish appears to have transitioned leadership several times recently. Day-to-day operations are supported by a parish secretary, a Coordinator of Religious Education, a maintenance supervisor, and a Parish Council.
- Pastor: Rev. Carl Schrage (per parish home page; Sacred Heart & Immaculate Conception)
- Administrator: Rev. John Igwe, C.M. (appointed summer 2024, per parish About page)
- Administrator (Diocese listing): Rev. Longenus Odum, C.M.
- Deacon: Anthony (Tony) Kellerman
- Secretary: Erica Woodside (since July 2023)
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Janet (Jill) Hayden
- Maintenance Supervisor: Tony Kellerman (since January 2014)
- Parish Council President: Paul Martin
- Parish Council Vice President: Kim Dorsey
- Parish Trustees: John Childs, Kathy Scaglione
- Secretary (Immaculate Conception listing): Kelly Paxton
Faith Formation & Catholic Education
Children in public school may enroll in the PSR (Parish School of Religion) program for grades 1 through 8, meeting on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. — during which students participate in Mass, class, activities, projects, sacramental preparation, youth Masses, and service opportunities. The parish also supports families still wishing a Catholic school education by sponsoring children at St. Bruno Catholic School in Pinckneyville (about six students currently, with daily bus service to and from Du Quoin).
- PSR classes: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 5:30–8:00 p.m., $40/student
- Sponsorship of St. Bruno Catholic School, Pinckneyville (daily bus from Du Quoin)
- RCIA: Rev. John Igwe & Deacon Tony Kellerman
- Youth Minister (High School): Krista Piotrowski
Music & Liturgical Ministry
Two parish choirs serve the different weekend Masses and rehearse together each Thursday evening. All parishioners who feel called to sing are invited to join. The parish also schedules liturgical volunteers for each Mass — ushers, readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, gift bearers, and Art and Environment.
- 5:00 p.m. Music Director: Justin Nehrkorn
- 8:30 a.m. Music Director: Aaron A. Atkins
- Choir practice: every Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
- Liturgical roles scheduled weekly: ushers, readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, gift bearers, Art and Environment
Parish Organizations
Sacred Heart's lay organizations stretch back more than a century. Women's groups have included the National Council of Catholic Women, the Altar Society, the Sewing Circle (now the Quilters), and (continuing today) the Catholic Daughters of America. Men's groups are represented by the long-running Knights of Columbus Council 1298, founded in 1908.
- Knights of Columbus Council 1298 — Grand Knight David Sheehan; Deputy Grand Knight Paul Martin; Financial Secretary Kenny Scaglioni; Treasurer Tom Murray; Recording Secretary Rockne Berg; meetings 1st Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.; 618-542-8400
- Catholic Daughters of America Court Ave Maria #1385 — Regent Lisa Mohr; Vice Regent Sharon Martin; Financial Secretary Anna 'Sis' Eichhorn; Treasurer Pam Loiacono; Recording Secretary Cyrillic Prusacki
- Catholic Daughters of America Court Ave Maria #1385 — Unity • Charity • 357-2611
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is a major pillar of parish life, with three 'second collections on the first Sunday of each month' supporting food, clothing, and weekend backpack programs for local children and families. The parish runs St. Joseph Thrift Shop as a nonprofit fundraising arm and actively partners with the Du Quoin Food Pantry and the Community Clothes Closet. Care for the sick and aged is built into parish life through home and nursing-home visits arranged by calling the rectory.
- Weekend Warrior Program (started September 2010): 20 bags/week of microwavable food for K–8 students; bags delivered Thursdays by 3:30 p.m.
- Du Quoin Food Pantry, 314 N. Maple St.; distribution third Thursday each month
- Community Clothes Closet; distribution third Thursday each month
- St. Joseph Thrift Shop (parish nonprofit thrift store supporting charitable works)
- Lenten Fish Fry (Fridays during Lent)
- Home and nursing-home visits for the sick, aged, and homebound (call 618-542-3423)
Sacraments
The parish provides the full normal range of parish sacraments, with specific preparation requirements for Baptism and Marriage listed on the parish website.
- Reconciliation: Saturday 4:00–4:30 p.m., Sunday 8:00–8:15 a.m., or by appointment
- Baptism: during weekend Masses by appointment; registration and a baptismal preparation session required
- Marriage: notify the pastor at least six months in advance
- RCIA for adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church
- Visits to the sick/homebound: call the rectory (618-542-3423)
Facilities: Church, Haffner Hall, Office & Cemetery
The parish plant in Du Quoin includes the 1890 church, the rectory at 17 N. Walnut (built 1924), the former school building (school closed 2008; now houses the parish office at the rear, third door under the carport), Haffner Hall at 16 N. Walnut (the 1961 parish center), and the parish cemetery on the outskirts of town. Haffner Hall is available for rental for parish and community events.
- Church: 100 West Main Street, Du Quoin
- Rectory / mailing address: 17 N. Walnut Street, Du Quoin, IL 62832-1607
- Parish office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (in the rear of the old school building, third door under the carport)
- Haffner Hall rental: 618-542-3423 / 618-542-2285
- Parish Cemetery: ~55 acres total (40 acquired 1874 + 15 donated), with a Knights of Columbus veterans' memorial
Getting Involved
The parish encourages newcomers to register by calling the office (618-542-3423) or emailing [email protected]. Volunteers are regularly needed for choirs, liturgical ministries, the Weekend Warrior Program, the Du Quoin Food Pantry, the Community Clothes Closet, and St. Joseph Thrift Shop.
- Register by phone (618-542-3423) or email ([email protected])
- Volunteer for Weekend Warrior, Food Pantry, Clothes Closet, or Thrift Shop
- Join a choir (Thursday 7:00 p.m. practice) or sign up as a liturgical minister
- Join the Knights of Columbus Council 1298 or Catholic Daughters Court Ave Maria #1385
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Cusack (of Vandalia)pre-1863
Said the first known Mass in the Du Quoin area, in the home of Michael Bradley.
- Fathers Lambert, Mark, Vahey, Walsch1860s
Visiting priests who celebrated Mass in area homes every few months before the parish was organized.
- Father Charles Klocke1868–1911
Founding resident pastor; 43 years of service; oversaw first church (dedicated 1868), the schools, the cemetery (1874), and the building of the present church (dedicated 1890). Died February 9, 1911.
- Father Charles J. Eschmann1911–c.1922
Installed marble Communion railing, new organ, and new altar in 1919. Died May 25, 1937, at Waterloo, Illinois.
- Msgr. Cyril Nicholas Haffner1922–1966
44 years as pastor. Built the rectory in 1924, oversaw a 1936 school addition, and saw Haffner Hall (parish center) constructed in 1961 in his honor. Died May 26, 1966, age 81.
- Father Joseph Duehren1966–1974
Installed a new marble altar facing the people per Vatican II. Retired after 8 years; died in Columbus, Ohio.
- Monsignor Angelo Lombardo1974–c.1985
Succeeded Father Duehren.
- Father Steve Humphrey1985–c.1992
- Father Richard Daly1992–c.2000
- Monsignor Harry J. Jerome2000–2009
Native son of the parish; installed February 6, 2000.
- Father H. Thomas Stout2009
Installed July 16, 2009; died suddenly only two months later.
- Father Bernardini Nganzirecent (administrator)
Served as parish administrator in recent years.
- Father Nicholas G. Junkerrecent (administrator)
Most recent parish administrator named in parish history page.
- Rev. John Igwe, C.M.2024–
Administrator appointed summer 2024 (per parish About page).
- Rev. Longenus Odum, C.M.
Listed as current Administrator in the Diocese of Belleville directory.
- Rev. Carl Schrage
Listed on parish home page as Pastor of Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception.