About Sacred Heart · Taftville, Connecticut
Sacred Heart Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Taftville, Connecticut, part of the St. Anne's Catholic Community cluster alongside St. Joseph Church in Occum and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Baltic. Founded by Irish and French-Canadian mill workers in the 1870s, the parish is one of the oldest Catholic communities in Eastern Connecticut and belongs to the Diocese of Norwich. Today it serves roughly 3,000 parishioners from its red-brick church on Providence Street, with a parish school (Sacred Heart Elementary), a food pantry, weekly Eucharistic adoration, and a CCD/Confirmation program.
- Established
- 1873 (first Mass); 1883 (parish established)
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Tito
- Diocese
- Diocese of Norwich (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a welcoming, multi-generational parish with deep roots in the Taftville mill village and an active sacramental and devotional life. Worshippers can attend multiple Sunday Masses plus a daily 7:00 a.m. Mass, spend Wednesdays in Eucharistic adoration (with the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 2:40 p.m.), bring children to the parish school or Sunday CCD/Confirmation program, and support neighbors through the parish food pantry. As part of the St. Anne's Catholic Community cluster, parishioners also share in the life of two neighboring churches in Occum and Baltic.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 – 4:00 PM
- and by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration; use side entrances); Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayed at 2:40 PM
- First Friday 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM (per diocese directory)
About Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart Church, 156 Providence Street, Taftville, CT, is a Catholic parish of the Diocese of Norwich and a member of the St. Anne's Catholic Community, yoked with St. Joseph Church in Occum and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Baltic. Rooted in the Irish and French-Canadian mill-immigrant community of the 19th century, the parish today is described by its own community page as roughly 3,000 people strong.
History
The first Mass was celebrated on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1873; a second church building opened in September 1876; and Sacred Heart was formally established as a parish in 1883 according to the Diocese of Norwich. The 1916 brick church was dedicated August 27, 1916; on April 29, 1956 an arsonist's fire destroyed that building during Mass even as pastor Rev. Henri Laurion shepherded the congregation out safely. Volunteers from more than 26 Eastern Connecticut fire companies responded, and the present red-brick church was built and dedicated in the late 1950s.
- 1873 – first Mass (March 17, St. Patrick's Day)
- 1876 – second church building opens in Taftville
- 1908 – fire destroys the Sacred Heart School (rebuilt soon after)
- 1916 – church built and dedicated August 27
- April 29, 1956 – arson fire during 8 AM Mass; Rev. Henri Laurion evacuates congregation
- Late 1950s – present red-brick church built and dedicated
- 2008 – parish celebrates 125th anniversary
- 2009 – Sacred Heart School celebrates 100th anniversary
Sacred Heart School
Sacred Heart Elementary School has been providing a Catholic education in Taftville for over a century (the present Hunters Avenue building dates to the rebuilding after the 1908 fire). It is staffed by the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church and serves students in the cluster's K–8 program. The school principal is Mother Christina Van Beck, S.C.M.C.
- Address: 17 Hunters Avenue, Taftville, CT 06380
- Phone: 860-887-1757; Fax: 860-889-7276
- Principal: Mother Christina Van Beck, S.C.M.C.
- Convent: Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church, 15 Hunters Ave. (860-887-4363)
Religious Education (CCD) and Confirmation
The parish's School of Religious Education offers CCD classes for parish children not enrolled in Sacred Heart School, with sessions on Sunday mornings. Confirmation preparation is also coordinated through this office. Father Tito and the Sisters staff the program.
- CCD / Confirmation Classes: Sundays 9:15 – 10:15 AM
- Contact: Fr. Tito 860-822-6378; Mother Christina 860-887-1757; Sr. Marie André 860-887-1757
- Sacred Heart Baptism Application available via parish website
Parish Food Pantry
A parish food pantry operates from the Sacred Heart campus. Those in need may call the parish office on Mondays between 8:00 AM and 2:30 PM. The pantry regularly requests donations of jelly, mac & cheese, cereal, jar sauce, snacks and canned vegetables; food items may be dropped off at any side entrance of the church.
- Open — call Monday 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM at 860-887-3072
- Drop-off: any side entrance of the church
- Needed items: jelly, mac & cheese, cereal, jar sauce, snacks, canned vegetables
Liturgy and Music
Sacred Heart's weekend liturgies are supported by parish organists: Alan McNeely at the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass and Jackie McKiernan at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass.
- 8:00 AM Sunday — Organist: Alan McNeely
- 10:30 AM Sunday — Organist: Jackie McKiernan
St. Anne's Catholic Community (Cluster Parishes)
Sacred Heart is yoked with two neighboring parishes in the Norwich Deanery of the Diocese of Norwich under the umbrella name St. Anne's Catholic Community. Together they share pastoral leadership and some sacramental preparation.
- St. Joseph Church, 11 Baltic Rd., Occum (Est. 1887) — Sun Vigil 5:00 PM, Sun 9:00 AM
- St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, 70 West Main St., Baltic
- Pastor: Rev. Joseph Tito; Parochial Vicar: Rev. Christopher Zmuda
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently served by Rev. Joseph Tito as Pastor, with Rev. Christopher Zmuda as Parochial Vicar. Monsignor Henry N. Archambault, P.A., JCD is in residence. Parish office hours are Monday through Wednesday, 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM; the office is closed on Thursdays, Fridays, Holy Days and holidays.
- Rev. Joseph Tito — Pastor (860-822-6378)
- Rev. Christopher Zmuda — Parochial Vicar
- Msgr. Henry N. Archambault, P.A., JCD — In Residence
- Parish Secretary / Office: 860-887-3072; Fax 860-204-9338
Visit and Contact
Visitors are welcome at Sacred Heart Church at 156 Providence Street, Taftville, CT 06380. Mass times, confession, and devotional schedules are listed above; side entrances of the church are used for Wednesday Adoration and for food-pantry donations.
- Address: 156 Providence St., Taftville, CT 06380 (PO Box 208, 06380-0208)
- Phone: 860-887-3072; Fax: 860-204-9338
- Office hours: Mon–Wed 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM (closed Thu, Fri, Holy Days, holidays)
- Website: saintannecluster.org/sacredhearthome
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Henri Laurionmid-20th century
Pastor during the April 29, 1956 arson fire; calmly evacuated the congregation and oversaw the rebuilding of the present red-brick church.
- Msgr. Henry N. Archambault1980s into 2000s
Long-tenured pastor who spoke of building 'a community of worship and love' and awakening a sense of mission within the parish during the post-mill era.
- Rev. Joseph Titocurrent
Current pastor of the St. Anne's Catholic Community cluster.