About Sacred Heart · Nacogdoches, Texas
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a historic bilingual parish in Nacogdoches, Texas, in the Diocese of Tyler. Founded in 1847 when the first Bishop of Galveston, Jean Marie Odin, upgraded the Nacogdoches mission to parish status, Sacred Heart is the oldest Catholic parish in Deep East Texas and its territory once stretched from the Sabine to the Red River. The current parish campus sits at 2508 Appleby Sand Road and includes both the modern main church and the lovingly restored 1847 Chapel — the original wooden frame church built the year the parish was established. Today the parish celebrates Mass in English, Spanish, and Latin, runs a major food pantry, and serves as the hub of "Catholic Nacogdoches."
- Established
- 1847
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. George Elliott, STL
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tyler
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is the historic heart of Catholic life in Nacogdoches and the anchor of the wider 'Catholic Nacogdoches' community, offering a rare combination of longstanding tradition and vibrant contemporary ministry. Visitors will find Mass in English, Spanish, and Latin, daily confessions, Eucharistic adoration, and a richly bilingual sacramental and formation life. The parish also reaches outward through its twice-monthly Food Pantry serving Nacogdoches County, its annual Multicultural Festival, youth programs like SHOCK and Totus Tuus, and ministries for every age and stage — making it a place where longtime parishioners and newcomers alike can find a home.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Main Church
- Tuesday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Main Church
- Wednesday 4:30 PM – 5:20 PM, Main Church
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM, Main Church
- Thursday 3:00 PM – 4:45 PM, Main Church
- Friday 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM, 1847 Chapel
- First Friday 7:00 PM – 7:50 PM, 1847 Chapel
- Saturday 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM, 1847 Chapel
Adoration times
- Wednesday 9:00 AM (following conclusion)
- Saturday 11:15 AM (following conclusion)
Parish Identity & Mission
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nacogdoches, Texas, calls itself the hub of 'Catholic Nacogdoches' — a wider Catholic community built around the historic parish. Its stated mission is 'to be a community that follows and shares Jesus Christ through the sacraments, prayer, catechesis, evangelization and works of charity.' Banners on the parish website proclaim: 'Bringing people to God and God to people.' The parish is bilingual (English and Spanish) and traditionally includes a Latin Mass, reflecting a community that welcomes diverse expressions of the Catholic faith.
- Tagline: 'Bringing people to God and God to people.'
- Mission: to follow and share Jesus Christ through sacraments, prayer, catechesis, evangelization, and works of charity
- Bilingual parish: English, Spanish, and Latin
History of the Parish
Catholicism in the Nacogdoches area traces back to Spanish Franciscan missions founded around 1716. After decades of disruption from French incursions, Spanish withdrawal, and the Texas Revolution, Bishop Jean Marie Odin of the newly created Diocese of Galveston elevated Nacogdoches from mission to parish status in 1847 — formally establishing Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Louis Chambodut as first pastor. The original 50' × 26' wooden frame church was built that same year on Pecan Street and served for nearly ninety years. A second church was built on North Street at Mimms Avenue in 1936 under Father Francis P. Crane, and the present church on Appleby Sand Road was completed in 1992 under Father James E. Young. The original 1847 wooden structure survives on the current campus as the restored 1847 Chapel.
- 1847 — Parish founded; Father Louis Chambodut first pastor
- 1847 — Original wooden church built on Pecan Street
- 1936 — Second church built on North Street & Mimms Avenue
- 1937 — 1847 church dismantled, lumber used to build St. Ann's Chapel at Fern Lake
- 1991 — Groundbreaking for current church (March 17)
- 1992 — Present church completed and dedicated (June 26)
- Original 1847 structure restored on current campus as the '1847 Chapel'
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by a pastor and two parochial vicars, who together provide Mass in English, Spanish, and Latin, sacramental preparation, and ongoing pastoral care for the bilingual community of Nacogdoches.
- Fr. George Elliott, STL — Pastor ([email protected])
- Fr. Matthew Stehling — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Fr. Nick Nappier — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, with a clear bilingual process for each and contacts listed on the parish website.
- Baptism — interview with a parish deacon through the parish office
- Wedding — begin the marital process by emailing Fr. Nick ([email protected])
- Anointing of the Sick — call the office to schedule an appointment with a priest
- Funeral — contact the parish office to be connected with the funeral coordinator
- First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation — Sacramental Preparation for ages 7+ with at least one year of faith formation; Reconciliation in fall, Confirmation and First Communion together in spring with the bishop
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full faith formation program for children and adults, including weekly Religious Education classes for grades 1–5 on Wednesday evenings, the OCIA process (formerly RCIA) for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, and Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation.
- Religious Education — grades 1–5, Wednesday evenings (4:00–5:15 PM and 6:15–7:30 PM class blocks; 5:30 PM Mass in between)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — inquiry-based journey culminating at the Easter Vigil
- Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation
- Totus Tuus — summer Catholic youth program of catechesis, evangelization, and Eucharistic worship
Youth Ministry
Sacred Heart's flagship youth ministry is SHOCK (Sacred Heart's Outstanding Catholic Kids), a weekly program for middle and high school students that meets in the parish gym during the school year. The parish also hosts the Totus Tuus summer program. Rebecca Higgins serves as Youth Director ([email protected]).
- SHOCK — middle school (grades 6–8), Wednesdays 6:15–8:00 PM
- SHOCK — high school (grades 9–12), Mondays 6:30–8:30 PM
- Youth Director: Rebecca Higgins — [email protected]
- Totus Tuus summer program
Outreach & Charity — Sacred Heart Food Pantry
The Sacred Heart Food Pantry is one of the most visible expressions of the parish's commitment to works of charity. Operated out of the parish gymnasium, it serves Nacogdoches County and surrounding areas with a grocery-style shopping experience, allowing families to choose what works best for them. The pantry is open the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 9:00–11:30 AM (and on the 2nd Tuesday only during November and December).
- Open 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- November & December: 2nd Tuesday only
- Location: Sacred Heart Catholic Church Gymnasium
- Contact: 936-564-7807 Ext. 114
- Requirements: ID or Pantry Card — all are welcome
Parish Ministries & Groups
Beyond its youth and outreach programs, Sacred Heart hosts a wide range of adult ministries, devotional groups, and community organizations serving both English- and Spanish-speaking parishioners.
- Adoration Ministry
- Ladies Guild
- Loving Hearts
- Caballeros de Cristo (Hispanic Community)
- Alliance of the Two Hearts
- St. Boniface High School
Multicultural Festival
The annual Multicultural Festival is Sacred Heart's biggest fundraiser of the year, raising $60,000–$70,000 for the Building & Maintenance Fund. Past proceeds have paid for major projects like the church's air conditioning system; 2026 proceeds will go toward replacing the church's front doors. The 2026 festival is scheduled for April 25–26 on the parish grounds. Father George Elliott has emphasized the festival's role in bringing together a divided culture: 'bringing a whole bunch of different people together in this way allows us to recognize... we're all just trying to make it through life and be good human beings.'
- 2026 festival: April 25–26 on the parish grounds
- Festival Coordinator: Chris LaBauve
- Raises $60,000–$70,000 annually for Building & Maintenance Fund
- Includes a 5K & 1M Run & Walk (2026: April 25, 7:30 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Ministry)
- Raffle tickets available at the parish office
Facilities & Historic Chapel
The 2508 Appleby Sand Road campus is the parish's third home, in continuous use since 1992. The defining historic feature is the restored 1847 Chapel — the original 50' × 26' wooden frame church that has been moved and repurposed across Nacogdoches County for nearly 180 years and now serves as a working chapel for early-morning English Masses, the Saturday Latin Mass, and First Friday Latin Mass. The parish also operates a gymnasium (home of SHOCK youth meetings and the Food Pantry) and the parish office.
- Main Church (1992)
- 1847 Chapel — original wooden frame church, restored on site
- Parish Gymnasium — hosts SHOCK youth meetings and Food Pantry
- Parish Office — 936-564-7807
Visit, Contact & Practical Information
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at the parish office, online, and on Facebook. The parish website (sacredheartnac.org / catholicnac.org) hosts the full Mass and confession schedule, the parish bulletin, sacramental sign-ups, food pantry information, festival news, and online giving.
- Address: 2508 Appleby Sand Road, Nacogdoches, TX 75965
- Phone: 936-564-7807
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: sacredheartnac.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/sacredheartnac/
- Bulletin, schedule, and online giving available on the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Louis Chambodut1847–
First pastor of the newly formed parish, appointed by Bishop Jean Marie Odin when the Diocese of Galveston elevated Nacogdoches from mission to parish.
- Father A. Chanrion
Raised funds that made possible the original 1847 wooden church on Pecan Street.
- Father Francis P. Crane1936–
Built the second parish church on North Street at Mimms Avenue in 1936, with funds from the Phelans and property from Mrs. C. C. (Louise) Rhein.
- Reverend James E. Young1991–1992
Led the campaign to build the current Appleby Sand Road church; groundbreaking March 17, 1991; dedication Mass June 26, 1992.