Church located at the Texas State Park

Location
Sacred Heart Church is seated in the heart of the Texas State Railroad Park at the Rusk Depot located off of US 84.  2.5 miles from downtown Rusk.

Click here to view pictures of the church.

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 History of the Sacred Heart Church

The sacred Heart church, the first Catholic church built in Cherokee County, was built in 1906 on the south side of the City of Rusk, Texas.

The land on which was erected was part of the B. Miller homestead and was donated by Miss Therresia Rudy to the diocese of Galveston for the use and benefit of the Catholic Church.  Mr. Miller, a wealthy German immigrant, donated $1500 toward the building of the church.  Mr. Bauer, a prominent Catholic, built the church.  The church was dedicated by Bishop Gallagher in September, 1906.  Father Drees was the first pastor and served for 14 years.  Mass was held in Rusk on the first Saturday of each month.  Mass was last said in this church probably in 1946.

The land and the church building were located adjacent to the present Presbyterian Church.  In 1974 the land and the church building were sold by the Catholic Diocese to the Presbyterian Church of Rusk.  this church, wishing to enlarge their parking lot, sold the church building to the Tourist Committee of the Rusk Chamber of Commerce in 1979.

The building was moved in December 1979, to the Rusk City Park, now the present Texas State Railroad Park.

Renovations and repairs to the church were made in the next few years. the Altar, the Ways of the Cross on the walls of the church and all but seven of the stained glass window panes are part of the original church when it was built in 1906.

The church building has been used for services by various denominations, for the park campers, weddings, meetings, etc.

Rev. Stephen J. Duyka of the  Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Rusk has scheduled to Celebrate Mass at the little church on the following Saturdays:

                            - Saturday, July 4, 2009
                            - Saturday, September 5, 2009
                            - Saturday, October 3, 2009 (Pioneer Heritage Festival)
                            - Saturday, November 28, 2009