Sacred Heart Church, Blackburn

Introduction

The foundation stone for the School and Chapel was laid on 5 May 1900 by Bishop John Bilsborrow at the corner of St Silas's Road and Leamington Road.

History

On 14 January 1901 the school was opened with 28 pupils on the register. On 17 February 1901 Mass was said for the first time in the Chapel, with the Rector of Stonyhurst preaching. On 21 July 1901 an important message was read after Mass marking the beginning of Evening Service at the Church of the Sacred Heart. On 29 October 1905 the Church of the Sacred Heart became a separate parish under Father John T Bousfield.

On 21 January 1906 Father Bousfield moved to live in the Parish at No 9 St Silas Road, thanks to the generosity of Mr Frank Arkwright who purchased the house. On 7 March 1907 the Church was registered for marriages. On 29 March 1908 Bishop Casartelli made his first Visitation to the Parish and administered Confirmation to 81 people. On 30 June 1912 Bishop John Vaughan made a Visitation to the Parish during which 90 people were confirmed.

On 18 August to 20 October 1912 Father Bousfield was granted leave of absence by Pope Pius X due to ill health, and the Parish was in the care of Father George Swift. On 2 April 1916 Bishop John Vaughan made a Visitation to the Parish during which 110 people were confirmed. On 27 October 1918 the Bishop preached at the last Mass on the day the Church celebrated its freedom from debt, the last penny of the original £2,000 debt having been paid on 27 September. On 28 November 1920 the first donation of £50 to the fund for a new Church was made.

On 23 May 1922 Bishop Hanlon made a Visitation to the Parish during which 112 people were confirmed. In May 1923 Father Bousfield left the Sacred Heart Parish to take charge of St Marys, and Rev James Cartin was appointed as the new Parish Priest. On 15 October 1937 the foundation stone for the present Church was laid by the Bishop of Salford, Dr T Henshaw. The first Solemn High Mass for the opening of the new Church was celebrated in September 1938 by Father Cartin.

In 1954 Father Cartin retired to St Joseph's, Whalley Range, Manchester where he died that same year. In 1967 a portion of the parish was surrendered to form part of the new Good Shepherd Parish.

Parish life

The parish runs a Zambia project aiming to help individuals in Zambia improve their lives. The project raises funds through table top sales/swap shops and selling handmade greeting cards. Money raised has enabled orphans in the care of nuns to return to school and helped equip a young man with land and tools for a small holding.

The parish room celebrated its 25th anniversary in May 2025. The parish organised a Settle-Carlisle excursion in June 2025. The parish organised a trip to Astley Hall, Chorley in September 2023. The parish organised a trip to Ostend, Bruges & Keukenhof in April 2002.

The parish organised a well dressing trip in June 2001. The parish held a Jubilee Party in the Parish Room in June 2022. The parish held a 12th Night Celebration in January 2024. The parish room hosted an event featuring the Lancashire Trills in July 2024.

The parish organised a trip to RHS Bridgewater 'Glow' event in November 2024. In 1943 the parish had a Sacred Heart Pierrot Troupe. In 1936 SHADS performed 'Because of Thy Holy Cross'. In 1973 the parish held a May Queen Procession. The parish has a Knit & Natter group that celebrated its 20th anniversary on 17 March 2025.

Visiting

Visitors can record their visit in the church's visitors book. The parish room at Sacred Heart was re-opened on 15 August 2021. The first International Mass at Sacred Heart was held on 12 May 2019. The archive holds a 1973 photograph of the altar taken from the choir balcony. Work to improve the lighting at Sacred Heart started in June 2024.