About Sacred Heart · Prescott, Arizona
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is the oldest parish in the Diocese of Phoenix, with Catholic roots in Prescott stretching back to 1871 and a parish formally named to the Sacred Heart in the late 1870s. Today it is a vibrant, thriving parish in Prescott, Arizona, offering Mass in both English and Spanish, running a PreK-8 Catholic school, and hosting more than 70 ministries — including a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel that has been in continuous prayer for over twenty years. From 1915 until 2024 the parish was shepherded by the Claretian Missionaries (Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary); in 2024 the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) formally took over leadership when Bishop John Dolan installed Fr. Krzysztof 'Chris' Pipa, SVD as pastor.
- Established
- 1877
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Kazimierz "Cas" Abrahamczyk, SVD (assumed duties July 1, 2025; Fr. Krzysztof "Chris" Pipa, SVD was the pastor installed in 2024)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Phoenix (Bishop John Dolan)
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is the oldest parish in the Diocese of Phoenix, with deep roots in Prescott dating to 1871 and a living community that today offers Mass in English and Spanish seven days a week, a PreK-8 Catholic school on the same campus, and more than 70 active ministries — from Knights of Columbus and the Legion of Mary to Life Teen, Edge, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, OCIA, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Walking with Moms, and a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is adored 24 hours a day. Twice the national average of parishioners volunteer here, and newcomers are actively welcomed and helped to plug in. In short: it is a missionary parish with a 140-year heritage that still feels like a family.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday — following the 7:00 am Mass
- Friday — following the 7:00 am Mass
- Saturday — 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel: ordinarily 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (in operation for over 20 years); currently closed for renovation, with adoration available before the tabernacle during church open hours — generally Monday–Friday 6:00 am–9:00 pm and Saturday–Sunday 6:00 am–6:00 pm
About Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Prescott, Arizona, is the oldest parish in the Diocese of Phoenix, with a heritage stretching back roughly 140 years to its founding in the late 1870s. Today it is a vibrant, multi-ministry parish with a PreK-8 Catholic school, Mass celebrated in English and Spanish, and more than 70 ministries — including the rare gift of a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. From 1915 until 2024 the parish was shepherded by the Claretian Missionaries; in 2024 leadership passed to the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), and Bishop John Dolan installed Fr. Krzysztof 'Chris' Pipa, SVD as pastor, with Fr. Biju Thomas, SVD as associate pastor and Fr. Kazimierz 'Cas' Abrahamczyk, SVD joining the team in July 2025.
- Parish mission statement: a community rooted in 140+ years of Catholic life in Prescott
- Part of the Diocese of Phoenix (Bishop John Dolan)
- More than 70 active ministries
- English- and Spanish-language Masses every weekend
History of the Parish
Catholic life in Prescott began on January 22, 1871, with the first Mass at Ravenna's store on Goodwin and Montezuma, after Bishop John Baptiste Salpointe became Vicar Apostolic of Arizona in 1869. The first resident pastor, Rev. Michael Murphy, arrived in October 1877 and died of consumption six weeks later; he was followed by Fr. F. C. Becker, who built the first parish church and rectory at 227 N. Marina Street and dedicated a chapel to the Sacred Heart of Jesus — giving the parish its name. Fr. Alfred Quetu, arriving in 1889, commissioned architect Frank Parker to design a new 'Sober Gothic' church at Marina and Willis (completed 1894, first services February 17, 1895), which served the community for over 70 years and is now the Prescott Center for the Arts. The Claretian Missionaries took charge in 1915 and ministered here for 109 years; the present church was built on the old Mercy Hospital site and dedicated June 15, 1969.
- 1871 — First Mass in Prescott at Ravenna's store
- 1877 — First resident pastor, Rev. Michael Murphy
- Late 1870s — Fr. F.C. Becker names the parish 'Sacred Heart'
- 1889 — Fr. Alfred Quetu arrives; begins the modern parish
- 1894–95 — Frank Parker-designed Gothic church completed
- 1915 — Claretian Missionaries arrive
- 1935 — Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel (Spanish) established
- 1956 — Sacred Heart Catholic School built
- 1969 — Current church dedicated; Loreto Sisters begin teaching
- 2024 — SVD assumes pastoral care; Fr. Chris Pipa installed
Our Buildings & Architecture
The current Sacred Heart Church and Parish Center was designed in response to post-Vatican II renewal and the need to bring English- and Spanish-speaking congregations under one roof, and was dedicated on June 15, 1969, on the site of the original Mercy Hospital. The parish's earlier home — Frank Parker's 1894 'Sober Gothic' church at Marina and Willis, with pointed arches, decorative brick, and rough-cut local stone — is now the Prescott Center for the Arts and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Current church dedicated June 15, 1969
- Original 1894–95 church now Prescott Center for the Arts (Natl. Register)
- Architect: Frank Parker (historic church)
Clergy & Staff
Sacred Heart is pastored by members of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), supported by five deacons and a full lay staff leading music, faith formation, Hispanic ministry, youth ministry, and operations.
- Fr. Kazimierz 'Cas' Abrahamczyk, SVD — Pastor
- Fr. Krzysztof 'Chris' Pipa, SVD — Pastor
- Fr. Biju Thomas, SVD — Associate Pastor
- Deacons Ernie Gonzales, Tony Humphrey, Pete Balland, Mark Weber, Lance Vivet
- Jim Wren — Parish Manager; Doug McMurrin — Director of Music
- Alma Helms — Executive Assistant; Donna Maneely — Bookkeeper
- Jimena Aragon — Hispanic Ministry; Mary Rizk — Atrium Director
- Taylor Robbins — Youth Minister; Rory Endrizzi — Director of Catechesis
- Victor Buitrago — Facilities Director; Shelly Cooper — Principal, Sacred Heart School
Society of the Divine Word (SVD)
In 2024, after 109 years of Claretian leadership, the Diocese of Phoenix entrusted Sacred Heart Parish to the Society of the Divine Word. Founded in 1875 by St. Arnold Janssen in the Netherlands, the SVD is the largest Roman Catholic religious order focused on missionary work; its members go to places where the Gospel is most needed and listen to local communities before serving them. Fr. Chris Pipa, a Polish missionary, was installed by Bishop John Dolan; Fr. Biju Thomas, from Kerala, India, is parochial vicar; Fr. Cas Abrahamczyk joined in July 2025.
- Founded 1875 by St. Arnold Janssen
- World's largest Catholic missionary order
- Took over Sacred Heart in 2024
Sacraments
Sacred Heart prepares parishioners for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage, with formation in both English and Spanish. Marriage preparation follows the Diocese of Phoenix's nine-month process and includes Natural Family Planning resources.
- Baptism — parent preparation class required; classes offered in English and Spanish (schedule changes take effect May 2026)
- First Communion & Confirmation — normally received in 3rd grade; contact Mary Rizk
- Marriage — 9-month preparation; begin by speaking with the pastor
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Sacred Heart offers a layered catechetical program spanning the youngest children through adults, including the Montessori-based Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the parish Atrium, sacramental preparation, and the OCIA and OCIC Christian Initiation processes.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — Levels I (ages 3–6), II (ages 6–9, sacramental prep), III (ages 9–12), held in the Atrium
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (Becoming Catholic)
- OCIC — Order of Christian Initiation of Children (ages 11–14)
- Director of Catechesis: Rory Endrizzi; Atrium Director: Mary Rizk
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Sacred Heart runs age-tiered programs to lead young people closer to Christ — the middle-school Edge program, the high-school Life Teen program (which also celebrates the Sunday 5 pm 'youth Mass'), and a Young Adult Ministry called Prescott Young. Youth Minister: Taylor Robbins.
- Edge — middle school (grades 6–8)
- Life Teen — high school (grades 9–12)
- Prescott Young — Young Adult Ministry
Sacred Heart Catholic School (PreK-8)
Located on the parish campus at 150 Fleury Avenue, Sacred Heart Catholic School (PreK-8) provides a Catholic education that promotes academic excellence, quality of character, social responsibility, and spiritual growth. The current school building dates to 1956; the Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters) have taught there since 1969. Principal: Shelly Cooper.
- PreK through 8th grade
- On-campus at 150 Fleury Avenue, Prescott
- Building dates to 1956; Loreto Sisters teaching since 1969
- Principal: Shelly Cooper
Parish Ministries & Outreach
With more than 70 ministries — and volunteer participation running at roughly twice the national average — Sacred Heart offers a wide range of ways to live the faith and serve others, from prayer and devotion groups to direct service and evangelization.
- Knights of Columbus; Legion of Mary
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP)
- Life Connections (Pregnancy Help Center); Walking with Moms
- St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE)
- That Man is You! (TMIY); Cursillo; Centering Prayer
- Care for the Earth; Senior Ministry
- Liturgical ministries: Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, Music, Sacristans, Ushers/Greeters, Safety & Security
Liturgical & Music Ministry
The parish's Music Ministry, led by Director of Music Doug McMurrin, supports the full schedule of weekend and daily Masses, including the bilingual and youth liturgies. Volunteers serve as altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, ushers, greeters, and on the safety and security team.
- Director of Music: Doug McMurrin
- Multiple volunteer liturgical roles open to registered parishioners
Newcomers & Moving to Prescott
Sacred Heart explicitly welcomes newcomers to Prescott, offering programs for children, families, and retirees. The parish notes that its members are 'major civic leaders' and that newcomers 'feel at home in Prescott almost before they know it.'
- For Children & Families: Sacred Heart Pre-School, Sacred Heart School, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Atrium), CIC, Edge, Life Teen
- For Retirees: Senior Ministry, Knights of Columbus, Adoration Chapel, Bible Studies / Adult Education
Visiting & Contact
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is located at 150 Fleury Avenue, Prescott, Arizona 86301. The parish office can be reached at (928) 445-3141; the website at www.sacredheartprescott.com carries the full Mass and confession schedule, ministry listings, school information, and the latest parish news.
- Address: 150 Fleury Avenue, Prescott, AZ 86301
- Phone: (928) 445-3141
- Website: www.sacredheartprescott.com
- Diocese: Phoenix (Bishop John Dolan)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Murphy1877
First resident pastor; arrived Oct. 26, 1877 and died of consumption on Dec. 7, 1877; buried in Citizens Cemetery.
- Fr. F. C. Beckerlate 1870s
Built the first parish church/rectory at 227 N. Marina St. and dedicated a chapel to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, giving the parish its name.
- Fr. Jules Duracheby Feb. 1879
Began discussions (Feb. 1879) about the Sisters of St. Joseph founding a Catholic school in Prescott.
- Fr. Alfred Quetu1889–c.1895
Considered the architect of the 'first solid organization of the parish'; commissioned architect Frank Parker to design the 1894 Church of the Sacred Heart at Marina and Willis.
- Claretian Missionaries (Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary)1915–2024
109-year tenure; arrived at the request of the Bishop of Tucson and served the parish continuously until the 2024 transition.
- Society of the Divine Word (SVD)2024–present
Took over leadership of the parish in 2024; Fr. Krzysztof 'Chris' Pipa, SVD installed by Bishop John Dolan, with Fr. Biju Thomas, SVD as associate and Fr. Kazimierz 'Cas' Abrahamczyk, SVD added in July 2025.