HISTORY
In
1890, a group of men of German descent petitioned
Bishop Mullen to establish a new congregation in southwest
Erie. At this time, the population of Erie was 37,000
but it balanced to 60,000 due largely to the flow
of German immigrants mostly from southern Germany
and, therefore, Catholic. Shortly after his ordination,
the Reverend Francis J. Bender was appointed the founding
pastor in 1894. He would spend his entire priesthood
as pastor at Sacred Heart Parish.
On
May 14, 1899, a new church was dedicated by Bishop
John E. Fitzmaurice. The first school was a former
public school that was purchased by Father Bender
for $200.00 and moved to 25th and Plum Streets. In
the summer of 1913, the former public school was remodeled
into a convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph. In its
place was constructed a modern eight room school for
$28,000! Father Bender moved into a new rectory in
April, 1905. With the phenomenal growth of the parish,
the church (1920) was enlarged and four classrooms
added to the school in 1924.
However,
it remained for Monsignor Bender's successor, Monsignor
Vitus J. Reiser to construct the present church and
rectory in the early 1950's. He broke ground for his
last building project which included eight new classrooms
and a youth center on January 1, 1960. Monsignor Reiser
credited his success at the parish to his deep devotion
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
With
the passing of Monsignor Reiser on April 20, 1967,
he was followed by the Reverend Joseph J. Grode who
upgraded the sanctuary of the church according to
what was perceived to be the directives of Vatican
II.
