Sacred Heart

Parish History

Sacred Heart was established in 1893 when Fr. Klein celebrated the first Mass in the Lawrence area and Fr. John Hansen became the first parish priest. A rectory followed in 1898 and was used to hold school in its downstairs rooms, with Sacred Heart School opening formally in 1901 under four Notre Dame Sisters. The current school building was erected in 1917 and the present church in 1923, dedicated on December 18, 1924 with the entire $105,000 construction debt paid off the same day. Fr. Charles Becker shepherded the parish from 1916 until his death in 1943 and rests in the Sacred Heart Cemetery under a memorial stone.

• 1893 — First Mass celebrated by Fr. Klein; Fr. John Hansen named first parish priest
• 1898 — Rectory built; downstairs rooms used for school
• 1901 — Sacred Heart School opens with 48 students and 4 Notre Dame Sisters
• 1916 — Fr. Charles Becker arrives as pastor
• 1917 — Present school constructed (cost: $45,000)
• 1923 — Present church constructed (cost: $105,000)
• 1924 (Dec 18) — Church dedicated debt-free
• 1943 — Diamond Jubilee celebrated; Fr. Becker dies in office
• 1949 — Convent built
• 1975 — Current rectory built under Fr. John Kelly; dedicated by Bishop Glennon Flavin
• 1980 — Cemetery improved with new entrance and fencing
• 1986 — Church repainted; crucifixion scene moved
• 1993 — Centennial celebrated with Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz
• 2002 — Sacred Heart Daycare opens in the convent
• 2008 — Wheelchair ramp built
• 2009 — 'Repairing Our Roof and Building Our Faith' campaign
• 2010 — Cemetery directory constructed
• 2015 — Sacred Heart School closes
• 2016 — Baptismal room renovated under Fr. Bush; mural by John Beyke
• 2023 (Oct 12) — Accidental fire damages the sanctuary
• 2024 (Jan) — Fr. Denton Morris assigned as pastor
• 2024 — Parish marks 100th anniversary of the current church
• 2026 (June 20) — Bishop James Conley celebrates Mass of Rededication

2023 Fire and Restoration ('Restore the Heart')

In 2023, with the church approaching its 100th anniversary, then-pastor Fr. Jamie Hottovy launched a major interior renovation intended to reveal long-covered architectural details and add new liturgical furnishings. On the morning of October 12, 2023, parishioner Gary Lemke discovered smoke in the sanctuary; the Nebraska State Fire Marshal later determined the fire was accidental, caused by the spontaneous combustion of stain rags being used in the renovation. Smoke and heat, rather than flames, did most of the damage — warping all of the wiring and compromising the integrity of the stained-glass windows. Because the new altars and pews had not yet been installed, they survived; the original copper Stations of the Cross had been removed and also escaped the flames.

• Cause: spontaneous combustion of stain rags (ruled accidental)
• Damage: warped electrical wiring, compromised stained glass, extensive floor and smoke damage
• Preserved: original copper Stations of the Cross, original 1924 Last Supper carving, original pews, a cross that fell from atop a burned confessional and landed intact on a table
• Stained-glass windows (originally manufactured in Germany) restored by Lambrecht Glass Studio, Omaha
• Restoration leadership: Jean and Char Kriz and Dan Sharp of Lincoln; the Kriz family has restored 42 diocesan churches
• Fundraising: nearly $490,455 raised via online campaigns, fall festival, raffles, auctions, T-shirts and quilt projects

The Rededication (June 20, 2026)

Bishop James Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln celebrated the Mass of Rededication on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in a service attended by roughly 250 people, including long-time parish secretary Barb Janda. The ceremony followed the traditional form: presentation of the church, sprinkling of holy water, anointing of the altar, placement of relics and incensation of the altar. Bishop Conley told the congregation, 'This church is one of the precious jewels of the Diocese of Lincoln. The restoration is worthy of such a beautiful church. Now we are ready for the next 100 years.' Father Morris noted that the long closure and setback deepened parishioners' gratitude for the sacred space and accelerated work that wasn't in the original plan — a blessing-in-disguise the bishop affirmed.

Architecture and the Restored Sanctuary

The restored sanctuary is a blend of historic preservation and renewed purpose. The original structural steel survived the fire, and the original Last Supper carving from 1924, the original copper Stations of the Cross and the original pews have been retained. New liturgical furnishings include a high altar, side altars, altar of sacrifice and matching communion rail. The floors are acacia wood with porcelain tile and Mexican agate inlays down the aisle, accented with religious symbolism such as stars above the altar of sacrifice representing those the wise men followed. Gold-paint ornamentation gives the interior a temple-like feel.

• Capacity: nave ~300; with choir loft ~500; basement hall ~250
• Functional upgrades: full rewire, new HVAC and ductwork, new sound system and wireless microphones, new organ, new elevator to the basement
• Stained glass: original German-made windows, restored by Lambrecht Glass Studio, Omaha
• Symbolism: stars above the altar of sacrifice; cross above the altar pointing to a line of Latin text; gold-paint ornamentation throughout

Missions and the Parish Cluster

Sacred Heart shares its pastor with two mission churches in the Lawrence Deanery of the Diocese of Lincoln. Together the three form a pastoral cluster that rotates Masses and shares religious-education and community events.

• St. Stephen Catholic Church, 1838 Rd 2600, Lawrence, NE
• Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, Deweese, NE

Sacred Heart School and Religious Education

Catholic education has been central to Sacred Heart since 1901, when the school opened with 48 pupils under four Notre Dame Sisters. A purpose-built school was added in 1917. Although the school closed in 2015, the parish continues to provide faith formation for children through the parish CCD program, which was hosted at the local Lawrence elementary school during the church's restoration.

• 1901 — Sacred Heart School opens under 4 Notre Dame Sisters
• 1917 — Present school building constructed
• 2002 — Sacred Heart Daycare opens in the convent
• 2015 — Sacred Heart School closes
• CCD — held at the Lawrence elementary school during the church closure

Parish Staff and Contact

The parish is served by a small staff under the leadership of its pastor. Long-time parish secretary Barb Janda has served for 30 years and was instrumental in organizing the 2026 rededication celebration.

• Pastor: Rev. Denton Morris (since January 2024)
• Parish Secretary: Barb Janda (30 years)
• Phone: 402-756-7393
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: 141 E. 2nd Street, Lawrence, NE 68957 (Mailing: PO Box 247)
• Diocesan affiliation: Diocese of Lincoln, Lawrence Deanery

Community Life and Outreach

Sacred Heart is part of the Lawrence Deanery Council of Catholic Women, joining neighboring parishes in service and fellowship. The 'Restore the Heart' campaign demonstrated the parish's fundraising capacity — combining online giving, a fall festival, raffles, auctions, T-shirt and quilt projects — and brought parishioners together across more than two years of work. Sacred Heart Daycare, housed in the former convent since 2002, continues the parish's ministry to local families.

• Lawrence Deanery Council of Catholic Women (LDCCW)
• Restore the Heart fundraising campaign
• Sacred Heart Daycare (since 2002, in the convent)
• Parish cemetery ministry (improvements in 1980, directory in 2010)