About Sacred Heart · Morrilton, Arkansas
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morrilton, Arkansas, is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Little Rock (River Valley Deanery) in Conway County, serving the Arkansas River Valley since 1879. The parish was founded by the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers (C.S.Sp.) and is the spiritual home of Sacred Heart Catholic School, one of only two PreK-12 Catholic schools in the state. Sacred Heart offers Mass in both English and Spanish, daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays, and a Spanish-speaking community alongside its longtime English-speaking congregation.
- Established
- 1879
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Stephen Hart
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Little Rock (River Valley Deanery)
Why belong here
Sacred Heart Morrilton is one of the oldest Catholic communities in central Arkansas, faithfully serving the River Valley since 1879, and offers an unusually full sacramental life for a parish of its size — daily Mass, Saturday Vigil, a weekly Spanish Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., regular Reconciliation times, and a livestreamed Vigil Mass on YouTube for the homebound. The parish is closely tied to Sacred Heart Catholic School (PreK–12, founded the same year), giving families an integrated parish-and-school community, and welcomes newcomers, returning Catholics, and those exploring the faith through its Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (with Fr. Kiran)
- Saturday 5:00 – 5:20 p.m.
- Sunday 7:30 – 7:50 a.m.
- Sunday 10:00 – 10:20 a.m.
Adoration times
- Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Welcome & Parish Mission
Whether you are new to the River Valley area, a current parishioner, starting your journey into the Catholic Church, or returning to the Catholic Church, Sacred Heart says your presence is 'lovingly welcomed in our Catholic community.' The parish mission is 'to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to our local community in word, deed, and truth,' and the parish describes itself as a welcoming community called to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people.
- Parish mission: To proclaim the Gospel of Christ to our local community in word, deed, and truth.
- Welcoming statement extended to newcomers, returning Catholics, and those journeying toward the Church.
History of Sacred Heart Parish
Founded in 1879 by the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers (C.S.Sp.) at the request of Bishop Edward Fitzgerald of Little Rock, Sacred Heart grew quickly through the work of two religious orders of women. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny built the original three-story brick convent/school/chapel in 1880. After they returned to France in 1898, the School Sisters of Notre Dame arrived in 1899 and built up both grade school and (from 1919/1921) the four-year high school, graduating their first class in 1925. A devastating 1956 fire destroyed the original building; it was rebuilt and re-dedicated exactly one year later. A new high school with gym and cafeteria followed in 1965. After the SSND departed in 1984, lay leadership has continued the school's mission; today it is one of only two PreK-12 Catholic schools in Arkansas.
- 1878 – Bishop Fitzgerald's appeal for clergy; Father Joseph Strub, C.S.Sp., makes Morrilton the center of his St. Joseph colony.
- January 1879 – Father Charles Steurer, C.S.Sp., and Brothers Gene and Leo arrive to found the parish.
- 1879 – Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny arrive and build the three-story brick convent/school/chapel.
- 1898 – Sisters of St. Joseph return to France.
- September 12, 1899 – Mother Bonaventure, S.S.N.D., arrives with two teaching sisters and a novice.
- 1919 – First year of high school curriculum under Rev. Henry J. Goebel, C.S.Sp.
- 1921 – Classical four-year high school begins.
- 1925 – First high school graduating class.
- December 18, 1956 – Fire destroys the 1880 building.
- December 18, 1957 – New grade school dedicated by Bishop Fletcher, exactly one year after the fire.
- July 18, 1965 – New high school with gymnasium and cafeteria dedicated.
- 1984 – School Sisters of Notre Dame depart; lay leadership continues.
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by a pastor with an associate pastor and three deacons, and is supported by a parish office manager, a Director of Religious Education, and an Associate DRE. Fr. Stephen Hart, ordained May 27, 2017, also serves as pastor of St. Elizabeth Church in Oppelo.
- Pastor: Fr. Stephen Hart — [email protected], 501-354-4181 or 501-289-6542.
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Kiran Kishore Ingilela — [email protected], 501-289-6542.
- Deacon Steve Mallett — [email protected].
- Deacon Peter Post — [email protected].
- Deacon Gregory Donaldson.
- Parish Office Manager: Victoria Lee (parish bulletin) / Kimberly McNabb (DOLR listing) — [email protected].
- Director of Religious Education & OCIA: Sarah M. Koch — [email protected].
- Associate DRE: Sarah Duvall.
Sacred Heart Catholic School (PreK–12)
Founded the same year as the parish, Sacred Heart Catholic School has long strived to be a Christ-centered community dedicated to developing the whole child and serving families in the Arkansas River Valley. As one of only two PreK-12 Catholic schools in the state of Arkansas, it provides a faith-filled education across Preschool, Elementary, and High School divisions on its St. Joseph Street campus.
- Founded 1879 — same year as the parish.
- Motto: 'Enlightening Minds, Enriching Souls, and Inspiring Hearts Since 1879.'
- Grades: PreK3 through 12th grade.
- Address: 106 N. St. Joseph St., Morrilton, AR 72110.
- School colors: Red and white. Mascot: Knight.
- Phones: High School (501) 354-8113; Elementary (501) 354-4416; Preschool (501) 354-4944.
- Principal: Jennifer Roscoe ([email protected]).
- Assistant Principal: Kyle Duvall.
- Director of Advancement: Alisha Koonce.
- Faculty/staff include a Bookkeeper (Annise Ryan) and Secretary (Barbi Kordsmeier).
Faith Formation & OCIA
Faith formation at Sacred Heart includes the parish-based religious education program for children, sacramental preparation (First Communion and Confirmation), Vacation Bible School, and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for adults seeking to enter or return to the Catholic Church.
- Director of Religious Education: Sarah M. Koch.
- Associate DRE: Sarah Duvall.
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults journeying toward the Catholic faith.
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation programs.
- Vacation Bible School as a parish-wide event.
- SEARCH retreat (#156) for high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates — sponsored by the Diocese of Little Rock's Catholic Youth Ministry Office.
Parish Life, Fellowship & Outreach
Sacred Heart offers a strong fellowship network, especially through Senior Saints — a social gathering for ages 50+ that meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at the KC Hall in Morrilton with snacks, bingo, and prayer. The parish also runs a Finding Peace Support group.
- Senior Saints (50+) — 2nd & 4th Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at the KC Hall, Morrilton. Coordinators: Julie Session (501-977-6535) and Karen Welcher (501-472-3870).
- Finding Peace Support group.
- Knights of Columbus — hosts parish bingo in September and April; subsidizes Sacred Heart School.
- Parish Bazaar — annual fundraiser for the school, held the weekend after Memorial Day (Friday Night Social 6–10 p.m.; Saturday events 5–11 p.m.).
- Oktoberfest — first weekend in October.
- Trivia Night — held in February.
- Parish Council — elections held in August each year.
- Flocknote — text 'sacredheart48' to 84576 to receive parish notifications.
Sacraments at Sacred Heart
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments with regular parish-based preparation. Couples are asked to contact the parish office at least eight months before a wedding so the Pastor can be consulted, and baptisms are scheduled by appointment — with Spanish baptismal talks held in the Church cry room.
- Baptism — by appointment (call 501-354-4181); Spanish baptismal talks in the Church cry room.
- Marriage — call the parish office at least 8 months prior; consult the Pastor.
- Reconciliation — see full schedule above.
- First Communion & Confirmation — parish preparation programs.
- Anointing of the Sick — by arrangement through the parish office.
- OCIA — for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church.
Contact, Location & Communications
The parish office is open Monday–Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1620, Morrilton, AR 72110. Sacred Heart also ministers to St. Elizabeth Church in Oppelo as a mission parish.
- Address: 506 East Broadway Street, Morrilton, AR 72110.
- Mailing: P.O. Box 1620, Morrilton, AR 72110.
- Phone: (501) 354-4181.
- Parish Email: [email protected].
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00–11:30 a.m. & 12:00–3:30 p.m.
- Also serves St. Elizabeth Church — Oppelo.
- Parish YouTube channel — livestream of Saturday Vigil Mass.
- Flocknote updates — text 'sacredheart48' to 84576.