Rodney Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church

Rodney Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. Listed in National Register of Historic Places, the church building was constructed in 1868, as the once flourishing river town was declining. Church completion was in the year preceding the disastrous 1869 fire. Although there is no recorded organized activity of the Rodney Catholics until 1867, they apparently were served by the priest in Port Gibson. In January, 1861, Bishop William Elder requested Father Philip Huber, of Port Gibson to visit two Catholic families in Rodney. Father Charles Van Queckelberge of Port Gibson assisted in acquiring land and building the church, which was constructed by Patrick Murphy. The property was purchased by Bishop Elder in 1867 for $500 and construction was initiated shortly thereafter. The church was completed in 1868. A bell was purchased for $300. In 1869, Father Van Queckelberge was transferred due to bad health, an action which so provoked the Rodney congregation that a petition was sent to Bishop Elder to retain Father Van Queckelberge. In 1870, Father Huber returned to serve for a year. . This historical marker was erected by the Grand Gulf Military Monument Commission.. It is in Grand Gulf in Claiborne County Mississippi