- 1872- First Mass celebrated in Eureka in a home located at 618 N. Elm.
- 1881- St. Paul parish established (name later changed to Sacred Heart in 1902). Land at southeast corner of 6th and Elm purchased. A log cabin Church is erected and dedicated on October 30th, 1881.
- 1881-1902- Parish is served by Franciscan Fathers from Emporia.
- 1902- A wood frame church is built and dedicated on November 16th and the original log cabin church was moved to a site at 210 N. Oak and renovated into a home. The second church was much larger and included a gothic bell tower.
- 1902-1921- The Sacred Heart Parish was a mission to St. Mary’s parish in Moline. The pastor there came by train once a month and celebrated Mass for the Eureka parishioners.
- 1917- The discovery of oil in Greenwood County, resulting in more people moving to the area and more parishioners attending the Church.
- 1921- Sacred Heart parishioners welcome their first resident pastor, Father (later Msgr.) Edward Gunning. Father boarded with parishioners until the purchase of a home at 510 N. Elm, formerly the “little house.”
- 1922-1926- Additional land is purchased for parish needs.
- 1927- Present rectory at 514 N. Elm was completed. Father Gunning moved into it in October of this year. The “little house” was fashioned into a modest parish hall.
- 1940- Additional land was purchased east of the Church- the future site of the parish school. At the same time, a small “winter chapel” was completed in the church basement, for daily Mass and devotional purposes. This was the site of many summer vacation schools over the years.
- 1952- A new school was built east of the Church- Eureka’s only Catholic School building- it was dedicated October 19th of this year- Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ from Wichita came to teach. This building also served as a Kindergarten Building for USD 389. This building featured a large basement social hall, in use by the parish for many years.
- 1954- “Little House” was renovated into a convent for the Sister teaching at the school. The Sisters previously stayed at the old Lyndon Hotel in downtown Eureka.
- 1964- The 2nd Sacred Heart Church, a landmark for nearly 63 years, was badly damaged by a fire on Thanksgiving eve- electrical problems caused the fire. Mass was moved to the school basement until the present church was completed.
- 1965- The remains of the old church were torn down to make way for a new church to serve the growing number of Catholics in the Eureka area. Parishioners broke ground for the new church on September 5th of this year.
- 1966- The new and present Sacred Heart Church was dedicated on March 15th of this year. The modern stone and glass building was completed in the same site of the old church and it is connected to the parish rectory. 1966 was a bittersweet year for us as we dedicated our beautiful church this year, we also learned that the parish school would close. The School closed in May of this year.
- 1966- The Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ left Eureka for their motherhouse in Wichita, after 14 years of service to the parish- the “little house” was made back into a hall.
- 1966-1970s- The former school building continued to be used by the parishioners until it was leased to USD 389 as a Kindergarten and Head Start building.
- 1976- New statues, stations of the cross and other furnishings were added to the church.
- 1978- Parking areas west, north and east of the church were paved by the City of Eureka.
- 1979- The Knights of Columbus Father Leo Kelty Council #7291 was begun in the parish.
- 1986- New lights replaced the original lights in the church- Pipe organ was moved from the west to the back of the church- new wooden enclosure was made for the tabernacle in the church.
- 1987- Parish rectory completely renovated and grounds re-landscaped.
- 1988- New carpeting for church sanctuary installed and new baptismal font placed in the baptistry area of the church.
- 1989- Parishioners voted to build a much needed new parish hall- Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Wichita began conducting summer vacation schools.
- 1990- “Little house” razed to make way for the new hall- former school building sold to USD 389- additional land at 502 and 506 N. Elm purchased for parish hall area.
- 1991- Easter Sunday groundbreaking for the new parish hall.
- 1992- Construction of the new hall began in March and was completed in August of this year. Parking areas re-sealed.
- 1993- New parish hall was dedicated in February 14th of this year. New sidewalks and driveways were laid.
- 1994-1995- Additional parking installed south of the new parish hall.
- 1996- New stained-glass windows installed in front of the parish hall, honoring three pastors and one woman religious.
- 1997- New outdoor sign added near main entrance of church.
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