About Sacred Heart · Salisbury, North Carolina
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish on Lumen Christi Lane in Salisbury, North Carolina, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte. Tracing its roots to the late 1830s when the Roueche family of Alsatian immigrants hosted the first Mass in Salisbury, the parish was formally established in 1882 when Father Patrick Moore built and dedicated the first church. Today the parish of about 1,000 registered families worships in a modern 760-seat church (dedicated December 19, 2009) on a 107-acre campus that also includes Sacred Heart Catholic School (JK–8), Brincefield Hall, the Lord's Bounty Garden, and the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cemetery. The parish is notably diverse, offering a weekly Spanish-language Mass and a rich array of lay ministries, and is led by Very Reverend John J. Eckert as pastor.
- Established
- 1882
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Very Reverend John J. Eckert
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a large, ethnically diverse parish of about 1,000 families on a 107-acre campus that combines worship, Catholic schooling (JK–8), and a historic cemetery all in one place. Faith formation is robust — through the FIDE (Formation in Discipleship and Evangelization) program, RCIA, youth ministry, Totus Tuus, Cursillo, and sacramental preparation — and Spanish-speaking parishioners are served by a full-time Hispanic ministry with a weekly Spanish Mass. A wide range of lay-led ministries (Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, prison outreach, food pantry, garden ministry, rosary makers, and more) make it easy to find a community of faith that fits your gifts and vocation.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Saturday following each daily Mass (except on certain feast days and holidays)
- By appointment — call the church office at 704-633-0591
Adoration times
- Wednesdays — Nocturnal Adoration begins immediately after the 5:15 p.m. daily Mass and continues until 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning; Benediction is held prior to Mass on Thursday
- First Friday of each month — Adoration following the daily Mass, with Benediction prior to the 8:00 a.m. Saturday Mass
About Our Parish
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Charlotte located at 375 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC. With about 1,000 registered families, the parish worships in a modern 760-seat church on a 107-acre campus that includes Sacred Heart Catholic School (JK–8), Brincefield Hall, the Lord's Bounty Garden, and the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cemetery. The parish is led by Very Reverend John J. Eckert as pastor and offers Mass in both English and Spanish, alongside a wide variety of faith formation, sacramental, and outreach ministries.
- Pastor: Very Reverend John J. Eckert
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Matthew Wayne Dimock
- Priest in Residence: Rev. Jonathan David Torres
- Deacon: Rev. Dr. James Mazur
- Campus: Sacred Heart Catholic School, Brincefield Hall, Lord's Bounty Garden, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cemetery
History of Our Parish
The parish traces its roots to the late 1830s, when the Roueche family of Alsatian immigrants hosted what is believed to have been the first Catholic Mass in Salisbury. After decades of missionary priests visiting private homes, Father Patrick Moore arrived as the first resident pastor in 1881, built the first church, and dedicated it in 1882 under Bishop Henry Northrup of Charleston. Benedictine monks from Belmont Abbey shepherded the parish from 1887; the Diocese of Charlotte was formed later, and Father Cletus Helfrich became the first diocesan pastor in 1941.
- 1830s — Roueche family hosts first Mass in Salisbury (Father Timothy Cronin)
- 1882 — Original church dedicated, Father Patrick Moore
- 1898 — Church elevated to parish status
- 1910 — Sisters of Mercy open convent-school near the church
- 1940 — Second church and rectory built
- 1941 — Father Cletus Helfrich becomes first diocesan pastor
- 1965 — New split-level school built
- 1985 — Marian House purchased (preschool/parish use)
- 1995 — Full-time Hispanic ministry and Spanish Mass begin
- 2003 — 40-acre tract purchased on Lumen Christi Lane
- 2008 — New church and school buildings completed
- 2009 — Current church dedicated December 19
- 2013 — Authorized as one of ten NC churches to offer the Latin Mass
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Sacred Heart Catholic School is a co-educational, JK through 8th-grade Catholic school located at 385 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC, adjacent to the parish church. Open to students of all faiths and backgrounds, the school is rooted in the Catholic faith and academic excellence, forming 'Virtuous Leaders who strive to serve God and neighbor with compassion and integrity.' Students participate in weekly Mass and many stewardship endeavors throughout the school year, and 8th-grade students complete Confirmation preparation lessons as part of their curriculum. The principal is Erin Brinkley.
- Address: 385 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC 28147
- Phone: 704-633-2841
- Grades: Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade
- Open to students of all faiths and backgrounds
- Weekly Mass participation for students
- Confirmation preparation integrated into 8th-grade curriculum
Faith Formation: FIDE (Formation in Discipleship and Evangelization)
FIDE is the parish's faith formation and sacramental preparation program, providing religious education for children and families as well as sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Sacrament applications are made available each October. The parish also sponsors RCIA for adults, a Sacramental Accountability Partner (SAP) catechist program, a monthly FIDE Family Night kitchen team, adult education, Cursillo, Emmaus, and Totus Tuus (a week-long summer youth program).
- FIDE Explanation & registration documents
- Sacrament Application (available in October)
- Sacramental Accountability Partner (SAP) program
- FIDE Family Night (monthly)
- Adult Education
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Cursillo and Emmaus
- Totus Tuus summer program
- High School Youth Ministry
- College / Young Adult programs
Parish Ministries and Organizations
A wide range of lay-led ministries invite parishioners into service and fellowship across liturgical, educational, family-life, and outreach areas. Volunteers can sign up using the parish's Time and Talent Opportunities form.
- Liturgical: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick, Choir & Instrumentalists, Lectors, Ushers, Altar Servers, Altar Guild
- Formation: FIDE catechists, RCIA sponsors, Sacramental Accountability Partners, Family Night kitchen team
- Family Life: Catholic Daughters, Knights of Columbus, Luminaries of Holy Mary, Regnum Christi, Church Women United, Millions of Monicas
- Outreach: Sister Mary Roberts Ministry (food pantry), Our Lord's Bounty Garden, Prison Outreach Ministry, Outreach to Sick or Shut-in, Spanish Translator volunteers
- Events: Kermes Festival, World Marriage Day Mass & Dinner, St. Patrick's Day Mass & Dinner
- Parish Administration: Reception Committee, miscellaneous office support
Campus and Facilities
The parish campus on Lumen Christi Lane includes the current 760-seat church, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Brincefield Hall (parish hall), the Lord's Bounty Garden, and the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cemetery. A 360° visual tour of the church is available on the parish website, along with the parish Coat of Arms.
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church (375 Lumen Christi Lane)
- Sacred Heart Catholic School (385 Lumen Christi Lane)
- Brincefield Hall
- Lord's Bounty Garden
- Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cemetery
- Parish Coat of Arms
- 360° virtual tour of the church
Contact and Office Information
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The church livestreams Mass on YouTube and Facebook, and the pastor and parochial vicar share homilies and reflections through podcasts and Substack.
- Address: 375 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC 28147
- Phone: 704-633-0591
- Fax: 704-647-0126
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Livestream: YouTube and Facebook
- Fr. Jonathan Torres — Substack (homilies)
- Fr. Matthew Dimock — Summer 2025 series 'What is the Mass'
- Homilies podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Patrick Moore1881–
First resident pastor; built and dedicated the original church in 1882.
- Benedictine Father Joseph Mueller, OSB
Benedictine monk who built the first rectory during the period Belmont Abbey monks shepherded the parish (after 1887).
- Father Thomas Clementsappointed when Diocese of Charlotte was formed; also returned 1988
First pastor after Diocese of Charlotte was established; returned later to lead parish needs-targeted meetings and facility work.
- Father Cletus Helfrich1941–January 1971
First diocesan pastor after Salisbury joined Diocese of Raleigh; served nearly 30 years until his death; oversaw church improvements and elimination of parish debt; basement later dedicated to his memory.
- Msgr. Anthony Kovacic1979–
Native of Yugoslavia; helped establish the diocesan diaconate program.
- Father Richard AllenJune 1982–
Built a new church entrance and a colonnade connecting the rectory and church.
- Father (now Bishop) Peter J. JugisAugust 1988 – fall 1989
Served as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart before becoming Bishop of Charlotte.
- Father John PutnamJuly 2000–
Also served as vicar forane of the Salisbury vicariate and judicial vicar for the Diocese of Charlotte; ministered to about 830 families and noted the parish's ethnic diversity.
- Very Reverend John J. Eckertpresent
Current pastor.