About Sacred Heart · Springfield, Missouri
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a bilingual (English–Spanish) parish in Springfield, Missouri, part of the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau. Founded in 1882 by northern residents of the historic Immaculate Conception parish, it was originally named St. Marie, was nearly destroyed by an 1883 tornado, and rebuilt under the patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. From 1981 until summer 2024 the parish was staffed by the Claretian Missionaries (Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary), and during that era the parish became a recognized bilingual community of prayer and outreach serving Springfield's growing Latino population, including operation of a seasonal cold-weather shelter for men in the parish hall. The current pastor is Fr. Joseph Stoverink, working with Permanent Deacon Horacio Quiles and a long-serving lay staff.
- Established
- 1882
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Joseph Stoverink
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is one of Springfield's most welcoming bilingual Catholic parishes, deliberately oriented toward people on the margins — immigrants, the poor, and visitors to the city. Weekend Masses are offered in both English and Español (with a Saturday 4 pm vigil in English, two Spanish Sunday Masses, and a weekly Spanish Thursday evening Mass), and the parish is officially recognized as a 'Welcoming Parish' of Springfield. Its hallmark ministries are practical: a long-running seasonal men's cold-weather shelter operated in the parish hall from November through March (in partnership with other Springfield congregations), a robust religious-education program (PSR) under Deacon Horacio Quiles, the Knights of Columbus, the 'Heart to Heart' small-group outreach, a choir led by Music Director Tom Kutz, Hispanic Ministry support, and a stable schedule of Reconciliation before every weekend Mass. A sincere and friendly atmosphere, recognized in the national book 'Excellent Catholic Parishes' (Paulist Press), makes Sacred Heart a parish where newcomers are quickly known by name.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before every weekend Mass, and by appointment (see the Sacraments page for Baptism, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick)
History of Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart parish was founded in 1882. Prior to that date, all Catholics in and around Springfield attended the 'old' Immaculate Conception Church on North Campbell. An unclear source of dissatisfaction on the part of the northern residents prompted them to write Bishop John Hogan in Kansas City requesting their own parish — although it was no more than ten blocks from Immaculate Conception. It took two separate petitions to win Bishop Hogan's approval. The new church was initially named St. Mary, sometimes spelled 'St. Marie.' It was largely destroyed by a tornado on November 5, 1883. The German and Irish parishioners rebuilt the church and renamed it Sacred Heart of Jesus. Just before 1892 the German members of the parish petitioned Bishop Hogan again, this time for their own priest who could speak German and a church of their own. Their request was granted in the form of St. Joseph Church in Springfield, which absorbed the German Catholic community while Sacred Heart continued as an English-speaking (Irish and German) parish.
- Founded 1882 originally as 'St. Marie'
- Rededicated as Sacred Heart after 1883 tornado
- Mother parish to St. Joseph Church (Springfield), founded 1892
- Claretian Missionaries accepted pastoral care in 1981 and concluded it in summer 2024
- Diocesan priests have resumed pastoral leadership under Fr. Joseph Stoverink
Architecture, Campus, and Renovations
The parish church sits on the east end of its campus and is crowned by a bell tower housing the historic parish bell on a timber base. Over the decades the sanctuary was reoriented twice: first with the altar moved to the center of the nave, then to the front of the church with new built-up altar furniture and niches for St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pieces of the original altar rail were incorporated into the new altar, ambo, presider's chair, and foyer table. Around 2006 a $1.2 million renovation of the parish hall created the Michael McGivney Parish Hall with current kitchen; the original parish hall was then converted into offices and a library. More recent upgrades include air conditioning in the worship space, a re-roofing of the church and rectory, restoration of the bell to ring at the Angelus and before Mass, an upgraded sound system, and a livestreamed 4 pm Saturday vigil with an overflow screen in the gathering space.
- Michael McGivney Parish Hall and kitchen (post-2006 renovation)
- Outdoor Shrine of Our Lady of Wisdom
- Outdoor Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Outdoor Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (recently rebuilt)
- Historic bell tower with timber-based bell, rung at noon and 5 minutes before Mass
Claretian Era (1981–2024) and the Bilingual Parish
When the Claretian Missionaries (Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) accepted pastoral responsibility for Sacred Heart in 1981, the parish was only loosely organized. Over four decades they transformed it into a nationally recognized welcoming bilingual community. The Claretians made Sacred Heart the official 'Welcoming Parish' of Springfield, hired a full-time and later a bilingual secretary, introduced Spanish Masses, added a Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, built the Michael McGivney Parish Hall, added outdoor Marian and Sacred Heart shrines, established the living Via Crucis on Good Friday, brought 'Festival of Nations' to the parish calendar, and computerized the offices. By the time the final Claretian pastor, Fr. Ray Smith, CMF, departed in summer 2024, the parish had recorded (in a single bulletin recap) 920 baptisms, 787 first Communions, 259 Confirmations, and 170 weddings. Today the parish continues to be a bilingual community: weekend Masses are offered in English and Español, the parish holds an annual Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, maintains the Festival of Nations, and coordinates an active Hispanic Ministry.
- Official 'Welcoming Parish' of Springfield, MO
- Recognized in 'Excellent Catholic Parishes' (Paulist Press) after interior renovation
- Annual Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Living Via Crucis on Good Friday
- Festival of Nations parish festival
Clergy, Staff, and Leadership
Sacred Heart is led by a collaborative team of clergy, religious, and laity. The pastor is Fr. Joseph Stoverink, supported by Permanent Deacon Horacio Quiles, who also serves as Director of Religious Education. The lay staff includes Music Director Tom Kutz, Hispanic Ministry Support Mariandine Huetas, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator Maryanne Jones, Facilities Administrator Glenn Eckl, Secretary Armida Martinez Almazan (with Milagros Calvetti serving as parish secretary under the email contact for the office), Bookkeeper Kathryn Krudwig, Parish Facilitator Dee Pohl, and Custodian Jesús Orozco.
- Fr. Joseph Stoverink — Pastor
- Deacon Horacio Quiles — Permanent Deacon, Director of Religious Education
- Tom Kutz — Music Director
- Mariandine Huetas — Hispanic Ministry Support
- Maryanne Jones — Volunteer Outreach Coordinator
- Glenn Eckl — Facilities Administrator
- Milagros Calvetti — Parish Secretary
- Armida Martinez Almazan — Secretary
- Kathryn Krudwig — Bookkeeper
- Dee Pohl — Parish Facilitator
- Jesús Orozco — Custodian
Parish School of Religion (PSR) and Faith Formation
Religious education for parish children is provided through the Parish School of Religion (PSR/Sunday School). The program is directed by Permanent Deacon Horacio Quiles, who also serves as the parish's Director of Religious Education. The parish also oversees sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Matrimony, with Reconciliation offered regularly before weekend Masses.
- Sunday School / PSR
- Deacon Horacio Quiles, DRE
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony preparation
Music and Liturgy
Sacred Heart's liturgical music is directed by Music Director Tom Kutz, and the parish worship space has been reoriented twice under the Claretians to bring the assembly closer to the altar. The current liturgical arrangement includes a built-up altar with niches for St. Joseph and Mary, an ambo and presider's chair made with portions of the original altar rail, and a foyer table. The Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the living Via Crucis on Good Friday are signature liturgical celebrations each year.
- Tom Kutz, Music Director
- Liturgical furnishings incorporating original altar rail
- Annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass
- Living Via Crucis on Good Friday
Outreach and Charity
Outreach is central to Sacred Heart's identity. From November through March the parish hall houses the Springfield Crises Cold Weather Shelter for men, a partnership with Christ Church Unity, Grace United Methodist Church, and The Venues 425; the city of Springfield issues annual occupancy permits for the shelter at 1609 N. Summit Avenue. To support that ministry the parish installed a shower and washer/dryer in the parish hall in recent years. Other outreach programs include 'Heart to Heart' small-group evangelization and the parish's Hispanic Ministry, which accompanies Springfield's Spanish-speaking newcomers and hosts events such as the Festival of Nations.
- Springfield Crises Cold Weather Shelter for men, Nov–Mar (in partnership with Christ Church Unity, Grace United Methodist, and The Venues 425)
- Shower and washer/dryer installed in the parish hall
- Heart to Heart — parish outreach small groups
- Hispanic Ministry under Mariandine Huetas
- Volunteer Outreach coordinated by Maryanne Jones
Buildings, Facilities, and Event Space
The Michael McGivney Parish Hall (named for the founder of the Knights of Columbus) anchors the campus and serves as a venue for parish meals, PSR classes, the cold-weather shelter, and community events. Renovated around 2006 for approximately $1.2 million, the hall includes a large kitchen and was re-roofed and re-equipped with new HVAC units in the Claretian ministry's final years. The parish also offers its event space for rent and can be reached through the parish office for rental inquiries.
- Michael McGivney Parish Hall (renovated 2006, ~$1.2 million capital campaign)
- Event Space Rental — contact parish office
- PSR classrooms with upgraded lighting
- New HVAC units for the parish hall
Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors can become involved through the Knights of Columbus council, the PSR teaching team, the music ministry, Hispanic Ministry, the 'Heart to Heart' outreach program, the cold-weather shelter volunteer corps (November–March), and as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, or ushers at weekend Masses. Volunteer Outreach Coordinator Maryanne Jones and the parish office can connect newcomers with the right group.
- Knights of Columbus
- PSR teaching and sacramental prep volunteers
- Music ministry under Tom Kutz
- Hispanic Ministry
- Heart to Heart outreach groups
- Cold-weather shelter volunteers (Nov–Mar)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis O'Neill1882 – February 1887
Founding pastor; ordained June 1882 in Allegany, NY. First church named St. Marie; led rebuilding after the November 1883 tornado and rededicated the church as Sacred Heart of Jesus.
- Rev. Father [James] CurranFebruary 1887 –
Succeeded Fr. O'Neill as pastor of Sacred Heart in February 1887, continuing under Bishop Hogan's jurisdiction. Previously served at the Cathedral of Kansas City and briefly as pastor of St. Joseph, Missouri.
- Rev. Charles H. Krekenberg (note: same name associated historically with a different Springfield parish)
- Rev. Daniel L. Healy
Diocesan priest; credited in 'Past and Present of Greene County, Missouri' (c. 1914) as a pastor whose tenure is documented in the parish history.
- Claretian Missionary Fathers (CMF)1981 – summer 2024
The Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians) accepted pastoral responsibility in 1981; they transformed the parish into a bilingual community, erected the Michael McGivney Parish Hall, added outdoor shrines, and ran the seasonal men's cold-weather shelter. Last Claretian pastor was Fr. Ray Smith, CMF (served approximately 2021–2024).
- Fr. Ray Smith, CMFc. 2021 – summer 2024
Final Claretian pastor; oversaw preparations for the transition, liturgical celebrations with Br. Manuel Benavides, CMF, and the parish's farewell to the Claretians in 2024.
- Fr. Joseph Stoverink2024 – present
Diocesan priest installed as pastor after the Claretian Missionaries concluded their 42-year assignment.