About Sacred Heart · Heron Lake, Minnesota
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a historic rural parish serving the small farming community of Heron Lake in southwestern Minnesota. The parish traces its roots to the early 1860s, when the first Catholic settlers arrived in what was then northwestern Jackson County, and today it forms part of a tri-parish grouping with Sacred Heart in Brewster and St. Francis Xavier in Windom. The current church building, constructed 1919–1921 and dedicated on August 25, 1921, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Active ministries include Faith Formation, the Sacred Heart Choir, a prayer chain, the Catholic Order of Foresters, parish guilds, and the Sacred Heart Cemetery Association, all supported by the surrounding Catholic farming community.
- Established
- 1884
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Father Peter Schuster
- Diocese
- Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a living historic parish where a small southwestern Minnesota farming community still gathers around an architecturally remarkable church — its stained-glass windows from Trier, Germany, marble altar, dome frescoes, and twin bell towers making it a landmark visible for miles across the corn and soybean fields. The parish offers Sunday Mass at 8:00 am, a strong Sacred Heart Choir, an active Faith Formation program (currently seeking a 7th/8th-grade teacher), a prayer chain, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the St. Bernadette and St. Catherine Guilds, and the Sacred Heart Cemetery Association, all part of a tri-parish family with Brewster and Windom under the pastoral care of Father Peter Schuster and Father Antony Arokiyam. Visitors and newcomers will find a warm rural Catholic community committed to preserving both the sacraments and the century-old sanctuary that has housed them.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sundays in Heron Lake: 7:30 am (1/2 hour before Mass)
- 1st Sunday in Windom: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (during adoration)
- 2nd Saturday in Brewster: 4:00 – 4:45 pm
- Saturdays in Brewster: 4:30 pm (before Mass)
Adoration times
- 1st Sunday in Windom: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (Reconciliation available during adoration)
Parish History
Sacred Heart Parish traces its origins to the early 1860s, when the first Catholic settlers arrived in what was then northwestern Jackson County as part of Bishop Ireland's Catholic colonization of southwestern Minnesota. The first priest to visit was Rev. Herman Richard of Mankato (1874–1879), followed by Father Jung, who continued celebrating Mass in homes and a country school until 1884. After two earlier church buildings — one destroyed by windstorm before being paid for and a second poorly constructed replacement — Rev. Anthony Ogulin, Heron Lake's first resident priest, dedicated a third church to Saints Cyril and Methodius on November 4, 1884. A rectory followed in 1889 and a parochial school opened in 1896 after the parish purchased the old public school for $4,000.
- First Catholic settlers arrive in early 1860s
- First visiting priest: Rev. Herman Richard of Mankato (1874–1879)
- Third church built Nov 4, 1884 — Saints Cyril and Methodius
- First resident priest: Rev. Anthony Ogulin
- Rectory added 1889; parochial school opened 1896
Building the Current Church (1914–1921)
By 1914 parishioners were asking for a larger church and Father Mathias Jostock was appointed pastor. Construction planned for 1916 was delayed by World War I, but work finally began on September 29, 1919. The cornerstone was laid on April 29, 1920 and the bells were christened on January 12, 1921. On August 25, 1921 the new church was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. During construction, on July 21, 1921, the choir balcony collapsed, killing Clem Huising and Anton Broeckling and injuring Otto Kopping and George Golda.
- Father Mathias Jostock appointed pastor 1914
- Construction began September 29, 1919
- Cornerstone laid April 29, 1920
- Bells christened January 12, 1921
- Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on August 25, 1921
- Choir balcony collapse July 21, 1921 — two killed, two injured
Architecture, Art & Sanctuary Features
The current Sacred Heart church is an architecturally rich 1920s-era building that has been called breathtaking by visitors. Its thirteen large stained-glass windows were imported from the Franz Binsfeld and Company of Trier, Germany — the left side depicting the sacraments and the right side the commandments, all donated by parish families. Fourteen bas-relief Stations of the Cross, also imported from Europe, are regarded as outstanding artwork. A pipe organ with 14,000 distinct tones was acquired shortly after the church was built; it was rebuilt in 1984 to produce four million tones.
- Thirteen large stained-glass windows from Franz Binsfeld & Co., Trier, Germany
- Fourteen European bas-relief Stations of the Cross
- Pipe organ rebuilt 1984 — 4 million distinct tones
- Two imported crystal chandeliers
- Marble altar and lectern added in 1975
- Mosaic of the Child Jesus above the entrance; Sacred Heart statue high above
- Twin bell towers with two large bells, visible for miles
Renovations, Restoration & Historic Listing
The interior has undergone four major renovations. In 1932 the baldachin was added and additional wall and ceiling artwork was painted; in 1947 the heating system was converted from coal to oil and the original painted saints on the sixteen pillars were covered; in 1974–75 carpet was laid throughout, plaster was repaired and repainted, and the marble altar and lectern were installed. In 2000, more than 100 parish volunteers demolished the interior of the north bell tower to install a hydraulic elevator providing accessibility to the sanctuary and social hall. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, and a Restoration Foundation was formed to coordinate ongoing work — including HVAC, plaster and paint, lighting, sound, carpet, pew refinishing and Sacred Area & Art projects — with a stated commitment to complete all restoration debt-free ahead of the church's 100th anniversary in 2021.
- Renovations in 1932, 1947, 1974–75, and 2000
- Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989
- Hydraulic elevator installed 2000 by 100+ parish volunteers
- Restoration Foundation projects: HVAC, plaster/paint, lighting, sound, carpet, pew refinishing, Sacred Area & Art
Clergy, Staff & Parish Councils
Sacred Heart is currently served by Pastor Father Peter Schuster (resident in Slayton, MN) and Parochial Vicar Father Antony Arokiyam (based in Windom). The parish office is staffed by Parish Coordinator Melanie Krumbach, with Judy Stenzel serving as Faith Formation Coordinator. Other listed staff and ministry leaders include Parish Sacristan Cleo Miranowski, Parish Decorators Mackenzie Erickson and Dianne Freking, Parish Maintenance lead Jeff Hotzler, and School Custodian Marlys Olson. Sacred Heart operates under the Diocese of Winona-Rochester (Bishop John Quinn).
- Father Peter Schuster — Pastor
- Father Antony Arokiyam — Parochial Vicar
- Melanie Krumbach — Parish Coordinator
- Judy Stenzel — Faith Formation Coordinator
- Parish Sacristan: Cleo Miranowski
- Parish Decorators: Mackenzie Erickson, Dianne Freking
- Parish Maintenance: Jeff Hotzler
- School Custodian: Marlys Olson
- Diocese of Winona-Rochester (Bishop John Quinn)
Tri-Parish Family (Brewster, Heron Lake, Windom)
Sacred Heart in Heron Lake shares clergy and faith-formation staff with two neighboring parishes: Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brewster (Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 pm) and St. Francis Xavier in Windom (Sunday Mass at 10:00 am). Together they form a tri-parish community with shared bulletins, a combined weekly Mass schedule, and joint faith-formation leadership. Confession is offered across the tri-parish on a rotating basis.
- Sacred Heart, Brewster — Saturday 5:00 pm Mass (Office: 507-842-5584)
- Sacred Heart, Heron Lake — Sunday 8:00 am Mass (Office: 507-793-2357)
- St. Francis Xavier, Windom — Sunday 10:00 am Mass (Office: 507-831-1985)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Sacred Heart's Faith Formation program serves parish children and is currently led by Faith Formation Coordinator Judy Stenzel, with Melanie Krumbach supporting from the parish office. The committee — chaired by Carrissa Haberman with secretary Barb Hussong and members Ryan Haberman, Anna Diemer and Jason Diemer — coordinates the program alongside the pastor. As of 2026, Sacred Heart is actively seeking a teacher for the 7th/8th-grade Faith Formation classes for the 2026/2027 school year.
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Judy Stenzel ([email protected])
- Committee Chair: Carrissa Haberman
- Open position: 7th/8th-grade teacher for 2026/2027
- Includes preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation
Music & Liturgy
Sacred Heart continues an active musical tradition dating back to the original construction of the church. The Sacred Heart Choir sings at all weekend Masses and most funerals, and the parish is actively recruiting new members. The rebuilt pipe organ — restored in 1984 to four million distinct tones — accompanies liturgy, and the stained-glass window of St. Cecilia, patron of musicians, watches over the choir loft. Parish Liturgy Committee members help coordinate liturgical ministries.
- Sacred Heart Choir — sings at all weekend Masses and most funerals
- Organists listed in parish directory (Kevin Leopold among them)
- Pipe organ rebuilt 1984 (now 4 million tones)
- St. Cecilia stained-glass window above the organ pipes
Parish Life, Guilds & Fraternal Organizations
Beyond worship, Sacred Heart hosts a network of parish-life organizations and fraternal groups. The St. Bernadette Guild (Anna Diemer) and St. Catherine Guild (Martha Liepold) support parish activities, while the Catholic Order of Foresters maintains an active Court at the parish. The Prayer Chain, coordinated by Colleen Freking, lifts up the prayer intentions of parishioners. The Parish Life / Social Ministry Committee works alongside Liturgy, Finance, and Pastoral Councils to coordinate the parish's outreach and fellowship.
- St. Bernadette Guild (Anna Diemer)
- St. Catherine Guild (Martha Liepold)
- Catholic Order of Foresters — active Court
- Prayer Chain — Colleen Freking (succeeding Maurita Volk)
- Parish Life / Social Ministry Committee
Sacred Heart Cemetery Association
The Sacred Heart Cemetery Association maintains the parish cemetery that serves Sacred Heart families. The Association is led by elected officers including President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Trustees, and works in coordination with the parish. The cemetery is mentioned in the parish's history reflections as a place where visitors are invited 'to pause in silence' in honor of the generations of the faithful who preceded them.
- Elected officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
- Trustees coordinate cemetery stewardship
- Referenced as a place of remembrance and prayer in parish reflections
Restoration Foundation & Giving
The Sacred Heart Restoration Foundation was formed to coordinate the preservation of the historic church building. Restoration Foundation Board members and Steering Committee members oversee phased projects — Sacred Area & Art, HVAC, lighting, sound, plaster & paint, pew & wood refinish, carpet, and tuck-pointing — with the stated mission to complete all restoration without taking on debt. Parishioners and benefactors have given generously, including a $100,000 out-of-state gift for specific Sacred Area & Art projects. Donations to the diocesan Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) are made payable to the Diocese of Winona-Rochester with 'CMA – Heron Lake' in the memo line.
- Restoration Foundation Board & Steering Committee
- Mission: complete restoration debt-free
- CMA donations payable to Diocese of Winona-Rochester (memo: CMA – Heron Lake)
- $100,000 out-of-state gift supported Sacred Area & Art
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
Sacred Heart prepares parishioners for the sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, and offers ongoing pastoral care to the sick and homebound. The tri-parish bulletin regularly lists intentions for residents of the Sogge Home, Mikkelsen Manor, Remick Ridge, Pine View and Lakeview Assisted Living. Father Peter Schuster includes all tri-parish members in his daily prayers and private Mass intentions, and any cancelled Mass intention is offered at his private daily Mass unless rescheduled.
- Baptism Preparation
- Marriage Preparation
- Reconciliation — see confession times
- Communion / Anointing to the sick and homebound
- Pastoral care for residents of Sogge Home, Mikkelsen Manor, Remick Ridge, Pine View and Lakeview Assisted Living
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
The parish office in Heron Lake is staffed by Melanie Krumbach and is open Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The mailing address is P.O. Box 377, Heron Lake, MN 56137. Sacred Heart maintains an active Facebook page, posts its bulletin online, and publishes a printed parish directory. Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed and are encouraged to call ahead or check the website bulletin for the most current Mass and event schedule.
- Office phone: (507) 793-2357
- Office email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Mailing: P.O. Box 377, Heron Lake, MN 56137
- Active Facebook presence; bulletin posted online; printed parish directory
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Herman Richard1874–1879
First priest to visit Heron Lake; said Mass in private homes.
- Father Junguntil 1884
Continued services in private homes and a country school.
- Rev. Anthony Ogulinfrom 1884
Heron Lake's first resident priest; oversaw construction of the third church (Saints Cyril and Methodius) on November 4, 1884.
- Father Mathias Jostockappointed 1914
Pastor who led the project to build the current Sacred Heart church; construction was delayed by World War I and eventually completed in 1919–1921.
- Father Andrew D. Olsem
Preached the 125-year anniversary homily on August 7, 2009, reflecting on the parish's history.
- Father Pratap
Listed as resident priest during the Restoration Foundation phase.