About Shrine of the Sacred Heart · Baltimore, Maryland
The Shrine of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic shrine church located in the Mount Washington neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, within the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Baltimore (the oldest Catholic diocese in the United States). Founded in 1867 and long served by the Sisters of Mercy, it has been a worshiping community on Baltimore's hills for more than 150 years, drawing a diverse, multi-ethnic congregation that includes a notably growing Filipino community alongside longtime central Maryland families. The current church, designed by the celebrated Baltimore architect E. Francis Baldwin and opened in 1917, was modeled on St. Giles Church in Buckinghamshire, England, and is known for its soaring stained glass windows. As part of Archbishop William E. Lori's 'Seek the City to Come' pastoral planning, the parish was decreed to merge into the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on December 1, 2024 (later extended through Christmas Day so the community could hold its Filipino Simbang Gabi), marking the close of an independent era for one of Baltimore's most historic parish shrines.
- Established
- 1867
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. William A. Au, Ph.D. (pastor 2010–2024; retired Dec. 31, 2024)
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
The Shrine of the Sacred Heart is a historic Mount Washington parish in the oldest Catholic archdiocese in the United States, where a strikingly diverse, multi-ethnic congregation—longtime central Maryland families alongside a thriving Filipino Catholic community—worships beneath soaring Baldwin-designed stained glass. Visitors are drawn by daily noon Mass, Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses, Saturday confessions, and a vibrant life of choir, faith formation, social outreach, and ecumenical and interfaith programs. The 'Seek the City to Come' merger with the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen (effective late December 2024) means the Shrine's character and community continue forward as part of a new cathedral parish rooted in Christ and 'fully alive with the Gospel.'
Mass times at Shrine of the Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM
About the Shrine of the Sacred Heart
The Shrine of the Sacred Heart is a historic Roman Catholic shrine church in the Mount Washington neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, founded in 1867 by the Sisters of Mercy and now part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Baltimore, the oldest Catholic diocese in the United States. The parish has served a diverse, multi-ethnic community on Baltimore's hills for more than 150 years, with a notably growing Filipino Catholic community alongside longtime central Maryland families. The current church, designed by parishioner E. Francis Baldwin and modeled on St. Giles Church in Buckinghamshire, England, opened in 1917 and is known for its stained glass windows and a strong musical tradition. In late 2024 the Shrine was merged into the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen as part of the Archdiocese's 'Seek the City to Come' pastoral plan.
History
Founded in 1867, two years after the Civil War, when the Sisters of Mercy transferred their Mount Washington chapel and octagonal school to Archbishop Martin John Spalding, the parish grew on a site whose first church (originally St. John's German Reformist Church, built 1855) stood across Smith Avenue. By the early 20th century the parish had outgrown its chapel and commissioned the celebrated Baltimore architect E. Francis Baldwin—a parishioner—to design a new church modeled on St. Giles in England; Baldwin died in January 1916 before completion, and the new church opened in 1917. From 1917 to 1958 the entire parish school was housed in the undercroft; a 1958 school building was later expanded in 2003. In 2007, parishioners led by Tom and Marianne Brennan created the '140 Years of Grace – 1867-2007' History Wall in the undercroft, and Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien celebrated the 140th anniversary Mass in June 2008. As part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore's 'Seek the City to Come' plan released in May 2024, Archbishop William E. Lori decreed on September 29, 2024 that the Shrine merge into the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen effective December 1, 2024 (later extended through Christmas so the community could observe Simbang Gabi).
- Founded 1867 by the Sisters of Mercy for Archbishop Spalding
- First chapel built 1855 as St. John's German Reformist Church
- Current church designed by E. Francis Baldwin; opened 1917
- Modeled on St. Giles Church, Buckinghamshire, England
- Undercroft housed the entire school 1917–1958
- New school building 1958; expanded 2003
- 140th anniversary celebrated June 2008 with Archbishop O'Brien
- '140 Years of Grace' History Wall installed 2007
- Merged into Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in December 2024
Architecture & Sacred Art
Designed by E. Francis Baldwin—then in his late seventies and one of Baltimore's most celebrated architects, whose other works include the B&O Railroad Round House, Mt. Royal Station, City College, Mercy Hospital, St. Agnes Hospital and buildings at The Catholic University of America—the 1917 church is a late-career ecclesiastical masterwork modeled on St. Giles Church in Buckinghamshire, England. Its interior features soaring stained glass windows and a powerful acoustic celebrated by the parish choir during the 2008 anniversary Mass. A framed papal blessing from Pope Benedict XVI hung in the vestibule as of the 140th anniversary, a reminder of the parish's connection to the wider Church.
- Architect: E. Francis Baldwin (1837–1916)
- Modeled on St. Giles Church, Buckinghamshire, England
- Stained glass windows
- Framed blessing from Pope Benedict XVI (vestibule)
Pastorate & Clergy
The Shrine has been served by a succession of pastors documented on the parish's History Wall, with the sole exception of Father James Connelly (1892–1908), for whom no portrait survives. Monsignor Richard E. Cramblitt led the parish for roughly 12 years and oversaw the 2007 History Wall and the 2008 140th anniversary Mass. Father William A. Au, Ph.D., became pastor in 2010 after 17 years at Ss. Philip and James (Homewood), welcomed the growing Filipino community, and led international interfaith programs through the Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation. He retired December 31, 2024, the same period in which the Shrine transitioned into the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.
- Fr. James Connelly, 1892–1908 (no surviving portrait)
- Monsignor Richard E. Cramblitt, pastor c. 1996–2010
- Rev. William A. Au, Ph.D., pastor 2010–2024 (retired Dec. 31, 2024)
Sacraments & Faith Formation
The parish prepared Catholic students for the sacraments in religion classes following Archdiocesan and parish guidelines, with daily instruction in religion and participation in liturgical celebrations. Confession was regularly available Saturday afternoons; weekday noon Communion Services continued the parish's sacramental rhythm even on days without Mass. The Shrine's school and parish religious education programs operated out of the school building (expanded in 2003) and the undercroft.
- Baptism
- First Communion & Confirmation preparation
- Matrimony
- Reconciliation (Saturdays)
- Anointing of the Sick
Ministries & Community Life
The Shrine's ministries reflected its diverse parish family. Father Au built strong ties with the Filipino Catholic community, organized Simbang Gabi, and led international interfaith programs through the Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan), as well as Better Understanding for a Better World (BUBW) youth conferences. A praised choir, faith discussion groups, prayer groups, religious education, social gatherings, and outreach to local hospitals' Filipino programs all formed part of parish life.
- Filipino Catholic community & Simbang Gabi
- Ecumenical and interfaith outreach (CECF international programs)
- BUBW youth interfaith conferences
- Parish choir
- Faith discussion & prayer groups
- Religious education
- Parish hospitality & social gatherings
- Outreach to local hospital Filipino outreach programs
Shrine of the Sacred Heart School
The parish school served Kindergarten through Grade 9 in a co-educational Catholic setting rooted in the parish's faith life, with daily religion instruction and sacramental preparation. The 2003 expansion created modern classrooms and freed the undercroft for parish use. The school closed in 2025 as part of the broader parish restructuring associated with the 'Seek the City to Come' plan.
- Grades K–9, co-educational
- Daily religion instruction & sacramental preparation
- School building expanded 2003
- Closed in 2025
'Seek the City to Come' & the 2024 Merger
In 2022 the Archdiocese of Baltimore launched 'Seek the City to Come,' a prayerful process to reimagine Catholic parishes in Baltimore City and surrounding areas; the final plan was released in May 2024. On September 29, 2024 Archbishop William E. Lori issued a canonical decree merging the Shrine of the Sacred Heart into the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen (Homeland), together with St. Thomas Aquinas (Hampden), St. Pius X (Rodgers Forge) and St. Mary of the Assumption (Govans). Originally set for December 1, 2024, the effective merger date was extended through Christmas so the community could hold Simbang Gabi. Father Au's retirement on December 31, 2024 marked the end of the Shrine's independent pastoral era.
- Seek the City to Come launched 2022
- Final plan released May 2024
- Decree issued September 29, 2024 by Archbishop William E. Lori
- Merged into Cathedral of Mary Our Queen (Homeland)
- Initial effective date December 1, 2024; extended through Christmas 2024
- Father Au retired December 31, 2024
Visiting & Location
The Shrine of the Sacred Heart stands at 5800 Smith Avenue in the Mount Washington neighborhood of northwest Baltimore (21209), within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Visitors could attend daily noon Mass, the Saturday Vigil, any of three Sunday Masses, and Saturday confessions; the undercroft's '140 Years of Grace' History Wall offered an illustrated walk through 140 years of parish and school history, including photographs, architectural renderings and Archdiocesan documents.
- 5800 Smith Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209
- Mount Washington neighborhood, northwest Baltimore
- Phone: (410) 466-6884
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: theshrine.org
- Undercroft '140 Years of Grace' History Wall
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James Connelly1892–1908
Listed among pastors; no portrait survives on the parish History Wall.
- Monsignor Richard E. Cramblittc. 1996–2010
Led the 140th anniversary celebrations in 2007–2008 and oversaw the '140 Years of Grace – 1867-2007' History Wall in the undercroft.
- Rev. William A. Au, Ph.D.2010–2024
Previously pastor of Ss. Philip and James, Homewood (1992–2010); welcomed the growing Filipino community; led interfaith programs; retired Dec. 31, 2024 as the Shrine prepared to merge with the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.