About Sacred Heart of Jesus · Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Sacred Heart of Jesus – St. Patrick Parish is a united Roman Catholic parish in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, belonging to the Diocese of La Crosse. Founded in 1875 by German immigrants as 'Herz Jesu Gemeinde' on historic 'Catholic Hill,' the parish merged with neighboring St. Patrick Parish on January 1, 1999 to form a single faith community served across two church buildings. The parish is known for its striking Romanesque sanctuary modeled after the Benedictine Abbey of Maria Laach in Germany, a rich program of Eucharistic Adoration (including a Deanery-wide weekly hour begun in 2015), and a CCD Religious Education program for parish youth.
- Established
- 1875
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Brian Jazdzewski
- Diocese
- Diocese of La Crosse (Eau Claire Deanery)
Why belong here
Sacred Heart of Jesus – St. Patrick offers a deeply rooted Catholic community on Eau Claire's historic 'Catholic Hill' with the beauty of a 1938 Romanesque sanctuary and the warmth of a small-town parish. Worshippers benefit from multiple daily Masses across two churches, generous Confession and Adoration schedules (including a Deanery-wide weekly Adoration hour begun in 2015), a thriving CCD Religious Education program for youth on Wednesday evenings, and an active Parish Council. The parish's pastoral team and lay ministries work to make this a place where families can grow in faith through liturgy, sacrament, and service.
Mass times at Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 7:10–7:50 AM at St. Patrick's Church
- Sunday 9:45–10:20 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
- Thursday 6:30–7:30 PM (following the 6:00 PM Mass) at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
- Saturday 3:00–3:50 PM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
- After all weekday Masses and the 1st Saturday Mass
- Also by appointment with the Pastor
Adoration times
- Monday 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (enter through the side ramp door)
- Thursday 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Adoration & Confession at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
- Deanery Eucharistic Adoration held in the Benedictine Chapel (begun January 2015)
Our Churches
Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint Patrick Parishes were united in faith and as a single parish in January 1999. The mission of the united parish is, 'as one family, [to] proclaim and live our Catholic faith through liturgy, sacrament, and ministry,' and to love and serve God and neighbor. The parish is served across two historic church buildings in downtown Eau Claire.
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Church – 416 N Dewey St, Eau Claire, WI 54703
- St. Patrick Church – 316 Fulton St, Eau Claire
- Mailing address: 448 N Dewey St, Eau Claire, WI 54703-3241
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church History
Founded in 1875 by German immigrants as Herz Jesu Gemeinde on 'Catholic Hill,' Sacred Heart grew quickly, opening a German-language school in 1893 with 350 students and eventually producing 12 priests and 30 sisters for the Church. The current Romanesque sanctuary, modeled after Germany's Benedictine Abbey of Maria Laach, was built in 1928–1938 and dedicated on Christmas Eve 1938. It seats 700, features 45 tons of Italian-marble altars inlaid with cosmatesque mosaics, Fra Angelico 'Musical Angels,' sixteen stained-glass windows and a magnificent Rose window from Innsbruck, and three working bells. The 1956 school building is now the Genesis Child Development Center.
- Founded 1875 by Fr. Paul Geyer (1875–1877) from St. Patrick Congregation (1865)
- First church built 1880 — windows and Paschal Candle stand moved to present church
- Parish school in German opened 1893 (350 students)
- Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration arrived 1910; ran parish school and Sacred Heart Hospital
- Current Romanesque church built 1928–1938 under Msgr. F.X. Orthen (1921–1943); $142,000
- Schaefer pipe organ added 1949; main altar installed 1982 by Fr. Peter Eiden
- United with St. Patrick Parish on January 1, 1999 under Fr. John Steiner
Religious Education (CCD)
The Religious Education program (CCD) prepares parish youth for a life of faith. Classes meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:15 to 7:30 PM on the Sacred Heart campus, beginning in September after Labor Day. Children who attend Regis Catholic Schools are also welcome. The Parish Education Committee oversees the program, and no child or family is denied participation because of financial need — tuition waivers and fundraising options are available.
- Classes: Wednesday evenings 6:15–7:30 PM at Sacred Heart campus
- Parish Education Committee: Chad Ronnander, Anne Henriksen, Mike Bauer, Ann Werner
- Tuition: $60 first child / $50 second / $30 third; waivers available
- Regis Catholic Schools students always welcome to attend
- Volunteers needed: catechists, substitute catechists, classroom helpers, snack providers
Pastoral Council & Leadership
The Parish Pastoral Council serves as an advisory board to the pastor on matters concerning parish life. Members are parishioners elected or appointed to represent the community. Two trustees serve as Secretary and Treasurer.
- Chair: Chad Ronnander
- Members: Sue Peiffer, Linda Marx, Patrick Branick, Jackie Polus
- Trustee (Secretary): Chad Ronnander
- Trustee (Treasurer): Dave Curley
Architecture & Sacred Art
The Sacred Heart of Jesus sanctuary is one of the most architecturally significant Catholic churches in the Chippewa Valley. Its Romanesque design was inspired by the Benedictine Abbey of Maria Laach in the German Rheinland, giving the building a distinctive European character unusual for the Upper Midwest. The interior is enriched with Italian marble, cosmatesque mosaic inlay, Fra Angelico's 'Musical Angels,' and stained glass from Innsbruck, Austria.
- Romanesque style modeled after Maria Laach Abbey
- Dimensions: 168 × 62 × 48 ft; seats 700
- 45 tons of Italian marble altars with cosmatesque mosaics
- Fra Angelico 'Musical Angels' above the high altar
- 16 stained-glass windows + Rose window from Innsbruck, Austria
- Schaefer pipe organ (1949); main altar installed 1982
- Three working bells in the towers
- Benedictine Chapel in Parish Center (dedicated 2008)
Schools & Childcare
Education has always been central to Sacred Heart. The parish opened a German-language school in 1893, ran a junior high until 1943, and dedicated a new school in 1956 under Fr. Pittz. That building today serves as the Genesis Child Development Center, continuing the parish's tradition of educating and caring for the children of Eau Claire. The parish also partners with Regis Catholic Schools for faith formation.
- 1893: German-language parish school opened (350 students)
- 1910: Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration took over from School Sisters of Notre Dame
- 1956: Current school building dedicated by Fr. Pittz ($320,000) — now Genesis Child Development Center
- Parish partnered with Regis Catholic Schools for faith formation
Getting Involved
Parishioners are encouraged to participate in parish life through lay ministry, the Pastoral Council, Religious Education volunteering, music ministry, and devotion groups. The parish is currently seeking a Parish Music Director.
- Volunteer as a catechist, substitute, or classroom helper in CCD
- Join the Pastoral Council or Education Committee
- Parish Music Director position currently open
- Serve as lector, Eucharistic Minister, or in liturgical ministries (contact Parish Office)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Paul Geyer1875–1877
Founding pastor of Herz Jesu Gemeinde
- Msgr. F.X. Orthen1921–1943
German-born pastor who replaced the first church with the present Romanesque building modeled after Maria Laach Abbey; the church was dedicated Christmas Eve 1938
- Fr. Pittz
Dedicated the current $320,000 parish school in 1956
- Fr. Peter Eiden
Installed the main altar in 1982 and redecorated after a fire destroyed the baptistery during a Saturday bingo
- Fr. John Steiner1999
First pastor of the newly united Sacred Heart – St. Patrick Parish (Jan 1, 1999)
- Fr. Paul Gitter1999
Became pastor later in 1999
- Fr. William Dhein
During his pastorship the Benedictine Room in the Parish Center was dedicated as a Chapel in 2008
- Fr. George Thayilkuzhithottu, MSFS2012–2018
Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales; oversaw the launch of Deanery Eucharistic Adoration in January 2015
- Fr. Brian Jazdzewski2018–present
Began July 2018; current pastor