About Sacred Heart · Three Rivers, Texas
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a small Roman-Latin parish in Three Rivers, Texas, part of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Founded in 1913 on land donated by Mr. Charles Tips, it began as a mission of St. George Parish in George West and grew through the efforts of pioneer Catholic families like the Byrnes and Morenos. The current church building was dedicated on December 19, 1948, after construction coordinated by Fr. William Kinlough with help from friends in New York and donated labor from his parishioners. Today the parish is led by Fr. Ryszard Zielinski and also serves the mission church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in nearby Pawnee.
- Established
- 1913
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Ryszard Zielinski
- Diocese
- Diocese of Corpus Christi
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a welcoming rural parish with more than a century of Catholic tradition in Three Rivers, Texas. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass in the Roman-Latin rite, regular Eucharistic Adoration (including First Friday and First Saturday devotions), and the Sacrament of Reconciliation before every Mass and on Saturday afternoons. It also cares for the Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe in nearby Pawnee, so belonging here connects a family to two worshipping communities and a faithful small-town Catholic tradition.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: Before Holy Mass
- Saturday: 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm (also before weekday Masses)
- Lent & Advent Seasons: Check bulletin
Adoration times
- First Sunday of the Month: Saturday 6:00 pm at Sacred Heart; Sunday 8:30 am at Pawnee and 10:00 am at Sacred Heart
- First Friday: 6:00 pm
- First Saturday: 7:30 am – 8:00 am (Mass to follow)
About Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a Roman-Latin rite parish in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, located at 303 E. Alexander Street in Three Rivers, Texas. Pastor Fr. Ryszard Zielinski invites visitors and parishioners to use the parish website to learn about Mass times, parish activities, and how to join parish gatherings, especially the celebration of the Eucharist. The parish is small in size but rich in tradition, serving Three Rivers and the surrounding Live Oak County area.
- Diocese of Corpus Christi
- 303 E. Alexander St., Three Rivers, TX 78071
- Phone: (361) 786-3398
- Email: [email protected]
Parish History
Sacred Heart began in 1913 on land donated by Charles Tips, the founder of Three Rivers. The first church, completed in 1920 with help from a Catholic Extension Society grant secured by Fr. Eater Walsh, was a mission of St. George in George West. After decades of growth and a succession of priests who traveled from George West to serve Three Rivers, Fr. William Kinlough led the building of a new church, dedicated December 19, 1948. Sacred Heart eventually became an independent parish and today also ministers to the Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Pawnee.
- 1913: Parish founded on land donated by Charles Tips
- 1920: First church built with Catholic Extension Society grant (Fr. Eater Walsh)
- October 1, 1924: Designated a mission of St. George, George West
- May 21, 1944: Fr. William Kinlough arrives as assistant pastor
- December 19, 1948: New church dedicated
- 1948: Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pawnee established
Baptism
Baptisms at Sacred Heart are celebrated on Sunday after the 10:00 AM Holy Mass. Families should contact the parish office to schedule.
- Baptism: Sunday after 10:00 AM Holy Mass
- Contact: (361) 786-3398
Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pawnee
Sacred Heart Parish also serves the Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Pawnee, established in 1948 and located at 14414 Hwy. 72, Pawnee, Texas. Sunday Mass is celebrated there at 8:30 am, and confessions are heard from 8:00–8:20 am before Mass.
- Address: 14414 Hwy. 72, Pawnee, TX 78071
- Phone: (361) 786-3398 (same as Sacred Heart)
- Sunday Mass: 8:30 am
- Confessions: Sunday 8:00 am – 8:20 am
- A Mission of Sacred Heart Parish (Three Rivers)
Stewardship & Giving
The parish supports its mission and ministries through online giving via OSV Hub, and runs a Capital Campaign for parish needs.
- Online Giving: https://www.osvhub.com/shthreerivers
- Capital Campaign (see parish website)
Getting Involved & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly invited to participate in parish life, especially in the celebration of the Eucharist. The pastor, Fr. Ryszard Zielinski, encourages anyone with questions, concerns, or ideas to contact the parish office at any time.
- Address: 303 E. Alexander St., P.O. Box 729, Three Rivers, TX 78071-0729
- Phone: (361) 786-3398
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://shthreerivers.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Eater (Walter) Walsh1920-
Obtained a grant from the Catholic Extension Society to build the first church; died suddenly in his sleep in Pennsylvania after being called home to his critically ill father.
- Fr. Schinaski
Served the area after Fr. Walsh's death.
- Fr. David Buckley1922-
Assigned as the first resident priest in George West; served Sacred Heart as a mission.
- Fr. Carbon
Succeeded Fr. Buckley.
- Fr. Obrestie
Succeeded Fr. Carbon.
- Fr. Buckholt
Succeeded Fr. Obrestie.
- Fr. William Kinlough1944-
Arrived as assistant pastor in George West on May 21, 1944; spearheaded the building of the new Three Rivers church, dedicated December 19, 1948.