About Sacred Heart of Mary · Louisville, Ohio
Sacred Heart of Mary is a historic Catholic parish in the Harrisburg neighborhood of Louisville, Ohio, organized in 1833 — the sixth oldest parish in the Diocese of Youngstown and the fourth oldest in Stark County. Its story begins with French Catholic settlers who arrived in 1826, and its present 1876 church has served generations of farm and small-town families in Harrisburg, Marlboro, New Baltimore, and surrounding areas. Effective January 1, 2025, Sacred Heart of Mary merged with neighboring St. Louis Parish to form the new Saint Isidore Parish (parish code 520, Deanery Stark 1), but the two historic church buildings retain their original names and worship continues at each. Today the parish shares its pastor, staff, and website with Saint Louis Church, and the parish office is located on the Sacred Heart of Mary campus on Nickelplate Avenue.
- Established
- 1833
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Matthew Humerickhouse
- Diocese
- Diocese of Youngstown
Why belong here
Sacred Heart of Mary offers a small, traditional parish life rooted in nearly two centuries of Catholic presence in the Harrisburg–Louisville area, with weekly Saturday Vigil Mass, Tuesday morning Mass, and Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As part of the new Saint Isidore Parish (formed January 1, 2025) it shares a full staff — a resident pastor, parochial vicar, two permanent deacons, a pastoral associate, business manager, secretary, and parish organist — together with an active hall used for community events such as the Boy Scouts' Pancake Breakfast. Confession is offered Wednesday evenings and by appointment at the partner Saint Louis Church.
Mass times at Sacred Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:30–6:15 PM at St. Louis Church (St. Isidore Parish)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM at Sacred Heart of Mary Church
Parish History
Catholicism in Harrisburg began with French settlers in 1826. Sacred Heart of Mary Parish was organized in 1833 and is the sixth oldest parish in the Diocese of Youngstown and the fourth oldest in Stark County. Its first church was built in 1847; the present church was erected in 1876. After being partially destroyed by a severe wind on February 25, 1956, the building was restored the same year for Christmas Masses, and its sanctuary was later remodeled to follow the post–Vatican II directives for the liturgy.
- 1833 — parish organized
- 1845 — 1.5 acres purchased
- 1847 — first church erected
- 1856 — first school opened (Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary)
- 1876 — present church built
- 1923 — present rectory built
- 1927 — second school opened
- 1956 — church damaged by windstorm; restored for Christmas
- 1957 — convent built (now used as offices)
- 1961 — parish hall built
- 1977 — Roger Organ installed in honor of retiring Fr. Edward Gallagher
- 2009 — parish school closed
- January 1, 2025 — merged with St. Louis Parish to form Saint Isidore Parish
Merger into Saint Isidore Parish
On December 31, 2024, Sacred Heart of Mary Parish and Saint Louis Parish were formally merged into a single parish named Saint Isidore Parish, effective January 1, 2025. Bishop David J. Bonnar of Youngstown accepted the recommendation of Pastor Rev. Matthew Humerickhouse, parishioners, finance & parish councils, and the diocesan presbyteral council. The church buildings keep their original names — Sacred Heart of Mary Church and Saint Louis Church — while the unified parish office is at 8267 Nickel Plate Ave NE, Louisville. All sacramental registers and assets/debts of both former parishes are consolidated in the new parish.
- New name: Saint Isidore Parish (St. Isidore the Farmer, patron of farmers and rural communities)
- Parish Code: 520 — Deanery: Stark 1
- Unified parish office: 8267 Nickel Plate Ave NE, Louisville, OH 44641
- Collaborating parishes: St. Joseph (Alliance), St. Joseph (Maximo), St. Ann (Sebring), Regina Coeli (Alliance)
Parish Staff & Clergy
Sacred Heart of Mary shares a unified clergy and staff team with Saint Louis Church under the new Saint Isidore Parish. The pastor is Rev. Matthew Humerickhouse, assisted by parochial vicar Rev. Robert (Fr. Bob) England, permanent deacons Randolph (Randy) Smith and Greg Wood, and pastor emeritus Rev. Nicholas Mancini.
- Pastor: Rev. Matthew Humerickhouse
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Robert England (Fr. Bob)
- Permanent Deacon: Randolph (Randy) Smith
- Permanent Deacon: Greg Wood
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Nicholas Mancini
- Pastoral Assistant / Religious Education: Mr. Mario Calandro
- Administrative Assistant: Stacey Hackney
- Office Associate (SHM): Stephanie Stanek
- Secretary: Stephanie Stanek
- Business Manager: Tammy Mierzwa
- Organist / Web Editor: Mrs. April Markov
- Plant Operations (SHM): Grant Conway
- Plant Operations (St. Louis): Bill Glenn
Facilities & Campus
The Sacred Heart of Mary campus includes the historic 1876 church, the parish office (the former 1957 convent), and the separate parish hall on Columbus Road. The hall is used for community events and is available for rental.
- Church — 8277 N. Nickelplate Ave NE, Louisville, OH 44641 (mailing/office: 8267 Nickel Plate Ave NE)
- Sacred Heart of Mary Church Hall — 8900 Columbus Rd., Louisville, OH 44641
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; closed Friday
Parish School of Religion & Faith Formation
The parish's on-site Catholic school closed in 2009, but faith formation for children continues through the Parish School of Religion program directed by the parish pastoral associate.
- Religious Education Director / Pastoral Associate: Mr. Mario Calandro
- Sisters who taught at the parish school across its history: Sisters of Charity (Lakewood); Sisters of Notre Dame (Chardon); Dominican Sisters (Akron); Sisters of the Holy Ghost
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music is led by the parish organist. The principal instrument is the Roger Organ purchased in 1977 in honor of Fr. Edward Gallagher's retirement, alongside an automatic bell ringer installed at the same time.
- Organist / Web Editor: Mrs. April Markov
- Roger Organ installed 1977 (donated by parishioners in honor of Fr. Edward Gallagher)
Parish Boundaries & Community
Sacred Heart of Mary has long served the rural communities around Harrisburg, including Marlboro and New Baltimore. Before the parish collaboration, its boundaries ran north to the Portage County line, east to McCallum Road, south to Easton Street, and west to Rolling Ridge and Duquette Roads.
- Communities served: Harrisburg, Marlboro, New Baltimore, and surrounding rural areas
- Boundary north: Portage County line
- Boundary east: McCallum Road
- Boundary south: Easton Street
- Boundary west: Rolling Ridge and Duquette Roads
Sacraments & Records
All original sacramental registers — Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage and Christian Burial — of Sacred Heart of Mary and Saint Louis parishes are preserved in the unified Saint Isidore Parish office. The parish can be contacted for copies of records and for arranging sacraments.
- Records office: 8267 Nickel Plate Ave NE, Louisville, OH 44641 — phone 330-875-2827
- Reconciliation by appointment in addition to the scheduled Wednesday time
Getting Involved & Community Life
Community life at Sacred Heart of Mary is anchored by the parish hall on Columbus Road, which hosts parish and community events such as the Boy Scouts of Louisville Pancake Breakfast. The parish shares its website (saintlouiscc.org) with Saint Louis Church and welcomes new parishioners to register at the church office.
- Boy Scouts of Louisville Pancake Breakfast held in the Sacred Heart of Mary Hall
- Combined parish website: www.saintlouiscc.org (legacy www.shmparish.org redirects)
- New parishioner registration available at the parish office by phone or in person
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Edward Gallagherretired spring 1977
Honored on his retirement with the purchase of a Roger Organ, an automatic bell ringer for the church bell, and a new car for the nuns.