Sacred Heart Parish was founded in 1891 by Father Barnabas Held, OSB, who oraganized the first Sacred Heart Church, dedicated to serving the needs of the German-speaking Catholics of Spokane. He also purchased the old Lewis and Clark school and moved it to the corner of 5th and Bernard, converting it into the parish school. 

Quickly, families of other ethnicities began to call the parish their home as well, but then declined until it was discontinued in 1901. The buidings were razed in 1903 and the lumber and furnishings, including the church bell, were used to build St. Ann's Church further to the east. 

A new Sacred Heart Church was erected in 1911 by Bishop John, O'Dea, Bishop of Seattle. Father James Cunningham was transferred from Sprague to become its first pastor. The new church was to be sited on the corner of 7th and Chandler, (just a few blocks from our present church). Construction of the brick church was begun in the summer of 1912 and completed in 1913. It stands to this day, now owned by the  Rockwood Clinic.  Faher Charles MacAleer was appointed pastor in January 1919; he began the parish school in 1921 using the church basement as its classroom; the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary taught the 19 students. By 1922, enrollment had jumped to 120 and in June, 1927, ground was broken for a new school at our present site on 10th Ave. The substantial brick building with a capacity of 250 students was completed in April 1928. It was taken down only in recent years to make way for the Rockwood Lane retirement facility. 

Msgr. Stephen P Buckly became pastor in 1929, followed ten years later by Msgr. Oakley F. O'Connor who served the community until 1950; Msgr O'Connor oversaw the further growth of the school, the construction of a convent, and the installation of a pipe organ (which still serves our parish today). Msgr. John Coleman followed as pastor until May 1957; he presided over substantial growth of the parish with many new families leading to a boom in the parish population. The parish was divided in 1956 with portions becoming the new Our Lady of Fatima and Saint Peter parishes. 

Father Erwin Sadlowski became pastor in 1957; he added a gym to the school. With the construction of new medical facilities nearby, parking became a premium at the 7th and Chadler site so initial planning for a new church were begun with land purchased near the school on 10th Avenue. Under the pastorate of Father Armand LaVerdiere (1967-1972), the new church rectory (now the parish offices) and church were constructed. Groundbreaking for the new church was begun in the summer of 1968 and the new building was dedicated on December 7, 1969 by Bishop Bernard Topel. It was designed by parishioner, Carroll Martell. As can be seen in many photos on this website, the "new" church is a lovely contemporary building that balances many traditional elements with a great sensitvity to  the liturgical developments in the Church since the Second Vatican Council. It incorporporates fine artistic elements that are unique such as the carved brick Stations of the Cross and the lovely Carrera marble altar, the work of the architect's daughter, Maxine Martell Di Bene. The tabernacle and crucifix above it were brought from the old church and installed in the new. 
For more  on our "mid-century" jewel, visit: Mid-Century Spokane.

From 1972 to 1976, Father Charles Skok served as our pastor. In 1976, Father Frank Bach was appointed pastor, followed by Father James Kuhns in 1980, Father Joe Bell in 1983, Father George Haspedis in 1994, Father Mike Krieg in 2000, Father Mark Pautler in 2003, and Father Kevin Codd in May 2015. Since October 2021, our pastor has been Father Victor Blazovich.