Sacred Heart Church (Raleigh, North Carolina) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Sacred Heart Church
Sacred Heart Church, Raleigh
Location in North Carolina
35°46′51″N 78°38′31″W / 35.78083°N 78.64194°W / 35.78083; -78.64194
Location	200 Hillsborough St. Raleigh, North Carolina
Country	United States
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church
Website	http://www.sacredheartcathedral.org/ (Site address currently being used for both Sacred Heart Church and the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral)
History
Former name(s)	Sacred Heart Cathedral
Founded	1879
Dedicated	October 1924
Architecture
Style	Neo-Gothic
Groundbreaking	1922
Completed	1924
Specifications
Capacity	320
Materials	Stone
Administration
Diocese	Raleigh

Sacred Heart Church is a Catholic church located on Hillsborough Street in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. For many years, it served as the main church, or "cathedral," for the Diocese of Raleigh. In 1978, the church and its other buildings became part of the Capitol Area Historic District. This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it is a special place worth preserving. Sacred Heart is also home to the Cathedral School.

History of Sacred Heart Church
Cathedral School
Gallery
See also

History of Sacred Heart Church

Interior of the church in 2017

Sacred Heart Parish began in 1879. Construction for the current church building started in 1922. It was finished two years later, in 1924. Later that same year, the Catholic Church created the Diocese of Raleigh. Sacred Heart Church then became the main church, or cathedral, for this new diocese. North Carolina was the last state to have its own Catholic diocese. At that time, there were not many Catholics in the state.

The rectory, where the priests live, was finished in 1917. The convent, which housed Dominican sisters, was completed in 1927. The school building was finished in 1938. The buildings in the church complex look a bit different from each other. However, they all use rough stone with raised mortar. The church building itself has a simple design. It features Gothic elements. These include pointed arches, tall narrow windows called lancet windows, and decorative supports called mock buttresses. There is also a tower on one corner with a pointed top, called a spire. Above the main entrance, you can see a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Sacred Heart Church could only seat about 300 people. This made it one of the smallest Catholic cathedrals in the United States. Because of its small size, the church needed eleven Masses each weekend. This was to make sure everyone could attend. In 2011, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge announced plans for a new, larger cathedral. This new church would replace Sacred Heart. It was needed because the number of people in the parish and diocese was growing.

Fundraising for the new church began in September 2011. The new building was constructed on a 39 acres (16 ha) property. This land was where the diocesan offices and Cardinal Gibbons High School used to be. Construction for the new Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral started on January 3, 2015. The new cathedral cost $41 million and can seat 2,000 people. It was officially opened on July 26, 2017. Sacred Heart Church is still used for daily Mass, weddings, and funerals. However, it no longer holds Sunday Masses.

Cathedral School

Cathedral School is a school for students from Pre-K through eighth grade. It is located right next to Sacred Heart Church. The school was founded in 1909. It helps educate young Catholics and prepares them for high school. Students from Cathedral School often go on to Cardinal Gibbons High School. Cardinal Gibbons High School was once located at Sacred Heart Cathedral. It was first called Sacred Heart High School, then Cathedral Latin High School. In 2007, Cathedral School received a National Blue Ribbon of Excellence Award. The Cathedral School has moved to the new cathedral site.