HISTORY OF SACRED HEART PARISH (Part 4) by Mike Jentes

Sacred Heart Church 893 Hamlet Street Columbus, OH

MONSIGNOR RYAN In the fall of 1934 the Holy Father--Pope Pius XI--recognized the splendid priestly work of Father Ray and named him a Domestic Prelate of the Papal Household with the title of Right Reverend Monsignor. Despite the depression and the moving of many families from the district the old parish continued to hold her own. Them came the war years and the parish gave -- to the service. About this time Monsignor Ryan commenced to fail in health. He was stricken on October 19, 1944, with a heart attack and passed away at Mt. Caramel Hospital, October 20, 1944, after a life of unselfish devotion to his parochial duties. His body lies buried in St. Joseph Cemetery.

An Experts Opinion

After Monsignor Ryan's untimely death, Father Kerrigan was appointed Administrator and served the parish in that capacity until March 15, 1945, when Mt. Rev. Edward Hettinger came as pastor. Father Bernard Jones was appointed assistant pastor at the same time. The latter was transferred to St. Luke's, Danville, August 31, 1947, and Rev. Father Edgar Hoffman took his place.

On August 29, 1947, ground was broken for a Community Center and Recreation Hall to be dedicated to the memory of Monsignor Ryan. The new building was to be 103 feet long and 62 feet wide. It will contain an auditorium and gymnasium floor 80 by 50. The Hall features a stage, kitchen, cloakroom, dressing rooms, a meeting room, toilets, showers, etc. The building faces Summit Street, set well back from the street and just north of the Rectory. This building became most useful for the school and parish life in general. It served also as a Community Center and benefits the whole district both Catholic and non-Catholics--particularly the children. Today the building is used primarily by the St. Joseph Montessori School.

SACRED HEART COMMERCIAL SCHOOL

In the year 1892 Father John B. Eis, pastor of Sacred Heart Church, opened a two-year High School for boys and girls. The Sisters in charge were Sister Callista, Sister Amalia and Sister Augustine. In 1905 when St. Patrick's College (now Aquinas) was started, the boys' part of Sacred Heart High School was discontinued--the boys transferring to the new college. In 1908 the High School became strictly a Commercial School for girls. Mother Claver was the founder and first teacher and remained in charge until 1928, assisted by Sister Patrick and Sister Lioba and later by Mother Ida who succeeded her as principal in 1982. Other Sisters who have taught in the school are Sisters Leonard, Innocita, Norbert, Angelice, and Sister Pascal.

SACRED HEART TODAY

In recent years, Sacred Heart Parish has experienced a gradual return to its former vibrancy. Beginning in the late 80’s, Sacred Heart has rented space (including the former convent) to the award-winning St. Joseph Montessori School.

In late 1999, under recently appointed Pastor, Fr. Sam Ritchey, the parish began providing a temporary home for St. Anne’s Anglican Parish. According to Bishop James Griffin, this represents “an unprecendented example of how Christians can walk together with their fellow Christians on our mutual journey toward the Kingdom of God.”

As the parish enters the second millenium and the downtown, Italian Village and Short North areas experience an influx of new residents, Sacred Heart is poised, once again, to occupy a significant place in Columbus’s spiritual life. To that end, significant time and effort is currently being expended in an ongoing effort to restore Sacred Heart to its former glory.