About Sacred Heart · Norfolk, Virginia
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in the Ghent neighborhood of Norfolk, Virginia, founded in 1894 as the second Catholic parish established in the city. It belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Richmond and is currently pastored by Very Rev. Paul Muyimbwa, V.F. The parish is renowned for its 1925 Florentine Renaissance-style church on Graydon Avenue, its Midmer-Losh pipe organ, and a vibrant justice-and-peace ministry that includes a long-running Sunday Soup Kitchen and partnership with the Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team (N.E.S.T.). With about 600 families, Sacred Heart serves as both a worship community and a hub of outreach to the sick, the hungry, and the homeless of Hampton Roads.
- Established
- 1894
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Very Rev. Paul Muyimbwa, V.F.
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a downtown, walkable parish in historic Ghent that takes seriously both beautiful liturgy and outreach to those in need. Weekend Mass is celebrated with a volunteer choir, a 1927 Midmer-Losh pipe organ, and a contemporary ensemble, while daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays keep prayer at the center of parish life. The parish's Justice and Peace ministry runs a Sunday Soup Kitchen, partners with N.E.S.T. to shelter the homeless on cold nights, visits the sick at Sentara Norfolk General, and supports a local AIDS ministry — so belonging here means joining a community that lives the corporal works of mercy alongside its Eucharistic worship.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM in the Reconciliation Room (back of the church)
- Also by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:30 PM (following the 5:30 PM daily Mass)
Our History
Sacred Heart was founded in 1894 by Rev. Francis X. McCarthy as the second Catholic parish in Norfolk, with the first church built at York and Dunmore Streets. Under Monsignor Thomas E. Waters (pastor 1912–1937), the parish opened a grade school in 1920 staffed by the Daughters of Charity and built the present Florentine Renaissance church in 1925. The parish marked its centennial in 1994 with Bishop Walter F. Sullivan, completed a major renovation in 1988 that added the commons (home to the Sunday Soup Kitchen and N.E.S.T.), and restored its Italian Stations of the Cross and Midmer-Losh organ in 1995. The parish school closed in 1975 when the Daughters of Charity withdrew.
- Founded 1894 by Rev. Francis X. McCarthy
- First church at York and Dunmore Streets (Ward Estate property)
- Sacred Heart Grade School opened 1920 (closed 1975)
- Present church dedicated November 1, 1925 (All Saints' Day)
- Monsignor Waters served 25 years (1912–1937)
- Centennial celebrated in 1994 with Bishop Sullivan
- 1988 renovation added the commons, altar, ambo, baptismal font
- Organ refurbished and Stations restored in 1995
Parish Staff & Leadership
Very Rev. Paul Muyimbwa, V.F., has served as pastor since August 2016. A native of Mukono, Uganda, ordained in 2000, he previously served in the Diocese of Lugazi, the Archdiocese of Boston, and several Virginia parishes before coming to Sacred Heart. He is assisted by Sr. Linh Do of the Lovers of the Holy Cross congregation as Coordinator of Religious Education, Christian Formation, and Youth Ministry; Thomas Conroy as Director of Music; and Chrissy Bush as Office Manager, with Fritz Massey assisting the Soup Kitchen. The parish is guided by an elected Parish Pastoral Council and a Finance Council.
- Fr. Paul Muyimbwa — Pastor (since Aug 2016)
- Sr. Linh Do, LHC — Coordinator of Religious Education, Christian Formation and Youth Ministry
- Thomas Conroy — Director of Music
- Chrissy Bush — Office Manager
- Fritz Massey — Soup Kitchen Assistant
- Parish Pastoral Council (Meg Leeman, Chair)
- Finance Council (Richard Mapp, Chair)
Christian Formation
Under Sr. Linh Do, the parish's Christian Formation ministry empowers children, youth, and adults to grow as disciples through programs faithful to the Gospel and Church teaching. The Religious Education program runs from September through May for students in K through high school, with Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion (2nd grade and up) and for Confirmation (10th grade and up). Adult Faith Formation offers small-group discussion around Scripture, liturgy, theology, and spirituality, and the parish runs the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for those seeking to enter the Church.
- Religious Education for K–High School
- First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation (grade 2+)
- Confirmation preparation (grade 10+, monthly Sunday classes 6:30–8:00 PM)
- Adult Faith Formation small groups
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Youth Ministry
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical life at Sacred Heart is supported by a wide array of lay volunteers. The Choir leads singing at the 11:00 AM Sunday liturgy and major feasts (rehearsals Thursdays 7:30–9:00 PM); a Contemporary Music Group leads the Saturday Vigil twice a month. Cantors, Ushers/Greeters, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Prayer Writers, Sacristans, Art & Environment decorators, Altar Linens volunteers, and Baptismal Garment makers all serve behind the scenes, with the Worship Committee meeting quarterly to evaluate liturgy.
- Choir (Sunday 11:00 AM)
- Contemporary Music Group (Saturday Vigil)
- Cantor Ministry
- Ushers / Greeters
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Prayer Writers
- Sacristan, Altar Linens, Art & Environment
- Baptismal Garments
- Worship Committee (quarterly)
Music & Sacred Music Tradition
Sacred Heart is widely known for its exceptional acoustics and outstanding sacred music tradition. The parish maintains a volunteer choir of about 20 members performing Gregorian chant, sacred polyphony, English choral works, and contemporary pieces, a children's choir with growth potential, and a small contemporary/folk ensemble for the Saturday Vigil. Two exceptional pipe organs anchor the music program: the historic 1927 Midmer-Losh (56 ranks) and an M.P. Moller instrument. The 1927 organ was refurbished by the Columbia Organ Works of Columbia, PA, in 1995, with 15 ranks of pipes added and the console replaced.
- Midmer-Losh pipe organ (1927, 56 ranks)
- M.P. Moller pipe organ
- Volunteer choir of ~20 singers
- Children's choir
- Contemporary/folk ensemble for Saturday Vigil
Justice, Peace & Outreach
The Justice and Peace ministry integrates Catholic Social Teaching into parish life by identifying service opportunities, supporting the soup kitchen, advocating for life and dignity, and partnering with other churches and organizations. The parish has run a Sunday Soup Kitchen out of the 1988 commons kitchen, hosted the homeless on cold winter nights through N.E.S.T. (Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team), visited the sick at Sentara Norfolk General, Kings Daughters, Harbor Point Nursing Home, and Eastern Virginia Medical College, and supported a local AIDS ministry that grew to become a fully independent community-supported ministry.
- Sunday Soup Kitchen
- Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team (N.E.S.T.)
- Hospital Ministry (Sentara Norfolk General, etc.)
- AIDS Network Ministry
- Respect Life advocacy
- Legislative advocacy and peace-making efforts
Parish & Community Life
Parish and Community Life fosters opportunities for parishioners to be active disciples through fellowship, service, and shared activities that build community. The parish also maintains a Parish Pastoral Council and a Finance Council to guide its mission. Knights of Columbus Council #1793 is represented on the Parish Pastoral Council, reflecting the parish's connection to that broader Catholic fraternal tradition of supporting priests, parish, and community.
- Parish Pastoral Council (elected)
- Finance Council
- Knights of Columbus representation
- Fellowship and social events tied to parish life
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments in the context of a worshipping community centered on the Eucharist. Reconciliation is offered every Saturday at 4:30 PM and by appointment; daily, Vigil, and Sunday Masses distribute Holy Communion; the Anointing of the Sick and pastoral care are brought to parishioners in local hospitals and nursing homes. Baptism is prepared and celebrated (at Mass since 1971), First Reconciliation and First Communion are prepared for children in 2nd grade and up, and Confirmation is prepared for teens in 10th grade and up. Weddings and funerals are coordinated through the parish office.
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:30 PM and by appointment
- Eucharist — daily and Sunday Masses
- Baptism — preparation required; celebrated at Mass since 1971
- First Reconciliation & First Communion (grade 2+)
- Confirmation (grade 10+)
- Anointing of the Sick / Hospital Ministry
- Marriage and Funerals (via parish office)
Visit, Contact & Stay Connected
Visitors are warmly welcomed at Sacred Heart. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. The weekly bulletin is available by email subscription through the parish website, and the parish uses an online Ministry Scheduler so volunteers can manage their service times. The church is located on Graydon Avenue in the historic Ghent neighborhood, near the light-rail tracks and the Hague.
- Address: 520 Graydon Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23507
- Parish Office: 757-625-6763
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–3 PM; Fri 9 AM–12 PM
- Weekly Bulletin by email subscription
- Online Ministry Scheduler for volunteers
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis X. McCarthyfounding pastor (1894)
First pastor; built the original church at York and Dunmore Streets on land from the Ward Estate.
- Rev. Thomas J. Wilsonpre-1912
- Rev. R. A. Drakepre-1912
- Rev. Thomas E. Waters1912–1937
Named Monsignor in 1930; opened Sacred Heart Grade School in 1920 and built the present church in 1925; called 'Beloved Pastor' on his memorial bas-relief.
- Rev. E. W. Johnstonafter 1945
Native son of the parish; redecorated the church in pastel green; transferred in 1953 to St. Vincent's, Berkeley Springs, WV.
- Father Kilgalen
Died in office September 1945.
- Father Leitch
- Father Connery
- Rev. John J. Dorgan1987–
Oversaw groundbreaking (Feb 1988) and completion of the church renovation and new commons; consecrated by Bishop Sullivan Oct 30, 1988.
- Rev. Paul T. Gaughanfrom 1968
Implemented the fully elected Parish Council following Vatican II; first Baptism at Mass on May 9, 1971.
- Rev. Thomas J. Cassidybefore 1973
Came to Sacred Heart from Catholic Family and Children's Service; first parish ordination (Robert McGovern, Dec 4, 1972).
- Rev. Raymond A. Bartonfrom 1973
Hired first Director of Religious Education (Sr. Maureen Milnamow); oversaw 50th anniversary of the church and 80th of the parish in 1974; closed the parish school in 1975.
- Rev. Thomas J. Walsh
Succeeded a predecessor pastor in the parish's middle period.
- Father Jim Forwalk
Rented the vacant school to the Holy Apostles during his pastorate; AIDS Network ministry grew under his leadership.
- Very Rev. Paul Muyimbwa, V.F.since August 2016
Born in Mukono, Uganda, Jan 28, 1973; ordained July 15, 2000; served in the Diocese of Lugazi, Archdiocese of Boston, and in Virginia at St. Vincent de Paul Newport News, St. Joseph Hampton, St. Mary Star of the Sea Fort Monroe, and Holy Family Tazewell.