The dedication Saturday of Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s new church building was a big moment for members and the community. For parishioners, the structure fulfills the long-held dream of having a space big enough to accommodate a large congregation. For the community, the church is a sign of timeless values and hope for the future.
This has been a challenging year for the community. But it turned out to be a good time for Sacred Heart to complete both a school and a church on Jake Alexander Boulevard, across from Isenberg School. Some $9.4 million is reported to have gone into the new campus, which was five years in the making. But what’s five years to a congregation whose first church was built in 1882 and its second in 1940?
A recent study by Trinity College, “American Nones: Profile of the No Religion Population,” says a growing percentage of Americans ó now 15 percent of the U.S. population ó don’t identify with any religion. The report said this “none” group could someday surpass even Catholics, who are now 24 percent of the nation.
Sacred Heart’s successful completion of this project makes a positive statement in a time of doubt. The economy may be shaky, and even religion appears to be on a downward trend. But this church ó like many others ó is holding on to its values and pushing forward.