Dade City in Pasco County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Photographed by Fr. Len Plazewski

1. Sacred Heart Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. In the 1880's, several Catholic pioneer families settled this community, first known as Barthle Crossing, later renamed St. Joseph. Within five years, they built their first place of worship, known as the Jubilee Chapel, which was dedicated on October 1, 1888 by Rev. Gerard Pilz, OSB of neighboring St. Anthony of Padua parish.

By 1892, the community had outgrown the chapel and a new church was built, with the original structure being converted into a schoolhouse. The first Sacred Heart Catholic Church was dedicated on November 13, 1892 by Bishop John Moore of St. Augustine. Two stained glass windows from that church now adorn the sanctuary wall of the current church, which was constructed in 1976.

Founding Families
Barthle * Blommel * Boettinger * Buttweiler * Fritzler * Gerner * Gude * Nathe * Zierden

Erected 2025 by Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 28° 22.583′ N, 82° 17.025′ W. Marker is in Dade City, Florida, in Pasco County.

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It can be reached from the intersection of St Joe Road (County Route 578) and Crimson Oaks Trail, on the left when traveling east. This marker is located on the south wall of Sacred Heart Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 32145 St Joe Rd, Dade City FL 33525, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast

and on Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Joseph Community (within shouting distance of this marker); Chipco Township (approx. 1.6 miles away); San Antonio Railroad Depot (approx. 2.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.8 miles away); City of San Antonio, Florida (approx.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Fr. Len Plazewski

2. Sacred Heart Catholic Church

2.9 miles away); Joseph J. "Joe" Herrmann 1912-2002/Edward J. "Eddie" Herrmann 1936-2017 (approx. 2.9 miles away); St. Anthony of Padua Church (approx. 3 miles away); St. Anthony School (approx. 3 miles away).

Also see . . . Sacred Heart Catholic Church. (Submitted on August 2, 2026.)

Photographed by Fr. Len Plazewski

3. Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2026, by Fr. Len Plazewski of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 19 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 21, 2026, by Fr. Len Plazewski of Tampa, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.