Rowlett in Dallas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Rowlett
Second Catholic church organized in Dallas County, Sacred Heart owes its origins to the devotion of an Irishman, Patrick McEntee (1846 - 1921), who came to Texas in 1874. Farmer and merchant, McEntee helped build the railroad in this area. Tradition holds that services were conducted at his home before this church was built. The parish's first baptism in 1898 was that of his grandchild. McEntee provided the land for Sacred Heart Church and cemetery. Built in 1899, this structure was dedicated in 1900 by Bishop E. J. Dunne. The thirteen stained glass windows were reputedly imported from Germany as memorial tributes. One near the altar was donated by Bishop Dunne.
In 1922 parishioners resolved that their building should face the new Bankhead Highway. They turned it around and reset it on the original foundation. The cedars backing the church once stood in front. Ladies of the Altar Society raised the funds for substantial remodeling of the Gothic Revival style edifice in 1955-56. Population loss threatened to close the church, but the membership grew as newcomers settled in the community. Weekly mass is celebrated now for a fellowship which includes descendants of the earliest families.
Erected 1976 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6856.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion.
Location. 32° 56.107′ N, 96° 33.915′ W. Marker is in Rowlett, Texas, in Dallas County. Marker can be reached from Hickok Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is hidden in the trees next to the old white church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3905 Hickox Road, Rowlett TX 75089, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. City of Rowlett (approx. 2.3 miles away); Mills Cemetery (approx. 2.7 miles away); Herfurth House (approx. 3 miles away); Sachse (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Sachse Caboose (approx. 3.4 miles away); William Sachse Cemetery (approx. 3.4 miles away); Garland Lodge No. 441, A.F. & A.M. (approx. 4 miles away); A. J. Head Service Station (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rowlett.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2020, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. This page has been viewed 388 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 10, 2020, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.