Editor's Note: There were two histories done in recent years. The first in 1988 for the 100th Anniversary of the Parish, and the second in 2000 for the "Millennium Parish Directory". After reviewing them, I decided that both had a quality of information that was unique, and so I have reproduced them both here. Below is the centennial version, and a link at the bottom will take you to the 2000 version ... Gerry Prich

From Small Beginnings-

A century of growth in the Spirit

This 100 year history of Sacred Heart Church is written in segments of 25 year blocks of time to better tell the story.

1888-1913

To understand the beginnings of the parish, it is necessary to relate it to the history of Bad Axe and Huron County at that time. Our town was first called Bad Axe Corners and a bit later Bad Axe Camp, and at this time had a population of only 179 persons. However, by 1885 when it was incorporated as a village, the population is listed as 800 persons and this large increase was primarily due to the coming of the railroads. The devastating fire of 1881 which raged through Huron County had left Bad Axe in ruin. Only the Courthouse and a few homes were left.

Between 1881 and the building of the first Catholic Church here in 1888, things were really happening. Growth was rapid and four other denominations had established churches in these years. The first one was Presbyterian, followed closely by the Methodist, Baptist, and Episcopal, in that order.

Prior to the building of our first church, Mass was said two or three times a year by Fr. Roche, who pastored the Port Austin church and had charge of most of Huron County and parts of Sanilac and Tuscola. He was the first priest to say Mass in Verona Township. Homes and meeting halls were used for Mass during those years preceding 1888. However, due primarily to the zeal of a few Irish families, a small church was built on the corner of Whitelam and Hopson. It would be nine years, however, before they would have a resident priest.

Meanwhile Fr. A.P. Ternes, then pastor of Port Austin, administered to the 36 families that comprised the parish, this until 1894 when Fr. Burke, pastor of Palms was charged with the responsibility.

In 1897 Fr. James Stapleton was appointed resident pastor. He built a rectory, enlarged the church and bought the land for the cemetery. Our parish was on its way.

An interesting bit of history is that Fr. Stapleton baptized Allen J. Babcock in that little church, who became the Bishop of the Grand Rapids Diocese, Later, when our new church was built, he donated the Sacred Heart window in memory of his parents. Fr. Stapleton served as pastor until 1906 when Fr. Henry Van Dyke was appointed. He obtained the property on Huron Avenue and used this house as a rectory while the rectory Fr. Stapleton built became first a private home and then a convent. Fr. Van Dyke served the parish until 1918.

1913-1938

The second quarter century was marked by continued growth as new families moved into the area. Under Fr. William Courtney, who followed Fr. Van Dyke in 1918, we learn that all of the debt from the aforementioned project was liquidated and the parish was solvent.
The next big leap for the parish was made in 1925 when a parochial school was established staffed by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Adrian. The present school building was started in 1925 under the leadership of Fr. William Hermes. This was by far the most significant event of the entire quarter century as for the first time children of Catholic families in this area could receive a thorough grounding in their faith taught by nuns who gave such unselfish devotion to the training of our youth. The rectory built by Fr. Stapleton became the convent. The following is a list of Adrian Dominican Nuns who were teachers at Sacred Heart School (1926 - 1973):

Fr. Leo Dorsey followed Fr. Hermes and was the pastor in 1938 when we had passed the half century mark.

1938-1963

Fr. Dorsey remained pastor until 1940 when Fr. Charles A. Roark came to us from the parish of Helena, his first pastorate. After World War II the parish expanded to such an extent that a larger church became desperately needed. In the years from 1938 to 1948 the parish family had grown from 90 to 180 families. Thus on July 12, 1948 a contract was let for a new church. Mr. Chester Lasky became the contractor and architects were Donaldson and Muir of Detroit. Cost of the new building was $133,739 while furnishings brought the total to $181,000.

The old church was moved around the corner and work began on the new. The cornerstone was laid August 21, 1949, the church completed and ready for service in December. How thrilling it was for the parish when they celebrated midnight Mass December 24 in their new church.

On June 6, 1950, the church was dedicated by Most Rev. Stephen S. Woznicki: Bishop of the Saginaw Diocese. He also consecrated the altars, October 28, 1951. The relics placed in the sepulcher of the main altar were of St. John Vianney, St. George, St. Mary Goretti, and St. Patrick. In the Blessed Virgin altar were relics of St. Ignatius and St. Philomena and in the St. Joseph Altar relics of St.Boniface and St. Josphat.

The old church was renovated and became a recreation center and social hall. Our parish was honored when in 1950 Fr. Roark was named Dean of the Thumb Deanery which comprised the counties of Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola. In 1952 he was elevated to the rank of Prelate of the church with the title of Monsignor. Msgr. Roark then acquired the McCallum property for the parish and turned it into a school cafeteria where 140 meals a day were served. The McGeachy property likewise was purchased for future expansion serving as an exit to Scott Street. Later these houses would be torn down.

In 1962 the playground and parking lot were blacktopped for our expanding family which numbered 350 families that year. We are now 75 years old. How we have grown!

1963-1988

This quarter century was marked by many changes. Following Vatican II, the liturgy was said in English for the first time and Mass was said facing the congregation. Lay people began to take an active part in church affairs and both men and women became Lectors, Commentators, and Eucharistic Ministers. Msgr. Roark implemented many changes before his retirement in 1966 after having been our pastor for 26 years. It is interesting to note that since our beginnings we have had only six resident pastors. Upon his retirement, Msgr. moved to a house across the street from the church and became Pastor Emeritus. He remained much a part of the life of the parish until his death in 1986.

Fr. Robert Navarre became pastor in 1966 and served until 1970 when Fr. John Troester was appointed. He was followed by Fr. Noel Rudy in 1971. It was in 1971 that Sacred Heart School, after 45 years of operation changed from a primary and elementary educational facility to a Religious Education Center serving the needs of 500 grade school children and 122 high school students. Instructions were carried out by specially trained lay teachers under the direction primarily of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Sisters serving the parish during this period were: Sister Berneta Bittner, SSND, Sister Mary Joy Dick, SSND, Sister Frances Buschell, SSND, Sister Barbara Robach, SSND, Sister Phyllis Grzeczka, SSND, Sister Marretta Bertelsen, OP, Sister Jean, and Sister Shelia Murphy. Under the inspired leadership of Fr. Ray Oswald, who became pastor in 1972, a new social hall was built to serve the needs of the growing congregation. It was an all?purpose building used for educational and social events. As stated before, this quarter century was noted for the involvement of lay people and led to the Ordination of Mr. Alvin Provot as a permanent deacon June 8, 1975, and the Commissioning of Lucille Bard as Lay Minister, in 1981. These two dedicated people served our parish in ministry and teaching roles and have enriched greatly our parish life. Other Sacred Heart sons and daughters who followed a religious vocation are: Virginia Weber, Kenneth Yaroch, Genevieve Kavanaugh, Eva and Clara Leneway and Mary Miller.

Fr. Charles Keho became pastor in 1979 serving until 1986. From 1926 to 1982 nuns had served this parish diligently in the school and religious education programs. However, lay people became solely responsible for the religious education program and under the able leadership of Barbara Edel, the Religious Education Center was flourished.

In 1984 preschool classes were formed, continuing to the present time. Many new adult programs have been introduced, among them, Scripture study, shut?in and hospital teams, couple?to?couple for engaged persons, counseling for the grieving, shared blessings for emergency needs, and outreach for estranged Catholics. The parish has an ecumenical prayer group that meets weekly. Major organizations are the Women's' Sodality and the Ushers' Club. The Women's' Sodality is a service organization that handles the spiritual, social and material needs of the parish. The parish council is the advisory and coordinating body of the church. It has committees that handle the educational, liturgical, financial and Christian service needs. Msgr. Olin J. Murdick became pastor in 1986 and under his leadership, and with the assistance of the Parish Council, the parish has continued to grow.

This is the story of our past. We have grown from a small community of 36 families in 1888 to the present 700. Our buildings have changed from a tiny church on a corner to a facility that covers almost a square block. At one time there were seven buildings. The former convent on Huron Avenue was sold; two houses and the old church torn down. A small auxiliary building, which served in turn as a classroom, a convent, and for one year a rectory, was removed. Our present buildings number four, the church, rectory, school and social hall. In 1987 the social hall was named Oswald Hall in loving memory of Fr. Ray Oswald who was pastor when it was built and who died in 1986.

Any builder knows that a firm foundation is necessary to a strong building. The faith of those 36 original families provided that firm foundation on which to build and we look forward to the future with a resolve to renew ourselves in Christ and to give ourselves in loving service to the Lord.

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