RALEIGH – A congregation assembled Sept. 9 to remember the 100th anniversary of the dedication of Sacred Heart Church. Made of stone and known today for its blue ceiling adorned with painted gold stars, the church seats about 300 and was the cathedral for the Diocese of Raleigh from its founding in 1924 until 2017.
It wasn’t built to be a cathedral. What’s now known as the Basilica of St. Mary in Wilmington was constructed for that purpose. But there was a change of plans. Leaders decided that the cathedral for the diocese should be in the capital city.
A block from the North Carolina State Capitol, Sacred Heart served as the mother church for 93 years. Through its wooden doors flanked by stained glass windows, many walked and were ordained to the priesthood.
The faithful received the sacrament of confirmation at the Easter Vigil. And thousands were baptized, said Monsignor David Brockman, pastor and rector of Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral Parish, to which Sacred Heart Church belongs.
“Think of the 100 years of grace that have echoed off these walls,” said Monsignor during the homily at the Sept. 9 Mass. “How many couples walked this aisle? How many families have brought their beloved dead here … how many people have snuck in the side door asking for strength? Here, in this house of prayer, we have been close to the Lord for 100 years. Tonight, we celebrate.”
Monsignor Brockman recalled many of the priests who served Sacred Heart, including Monsignor Thomas Paul Hadden, the first Black rector of a Catholic cathedral in the United States.
“In 1978, with Monsignor [Jerry] Lewis, they started a Sunday Mass in Spanish ... Amy Alba and Cora Bilano, helped to foster that," he said.
Monsignor Brockman named the ministries that grew from Sacred Heart and thanked the choirs. Three of them – the Spiritual Choir, Cathedral Choir and Coro Hispano – sang at the Mass.
“All of that was made possible by the gift of faith,” he said, noting that God makes possible a heart for the Gospel, a heart for the poor, a heart for Mary and a heart for hope. “A heart that, when ours is broken, can be restored. What we know is true; when we call the Lord he will answer.”
After Mass, the congregation celebrated the milestone in the church courtyard.
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