Sacred Heart Catholic Church is the result of many hours of hard work and the tireless efforts of dedicated Elginites and the parish leaders who have served the Catholic Community. As early as 1870, Catholics in Elgin have received the ministrations of the Church. Over the span of many years, Elgin has been blessed with the leadership, guidance, and direction of the following:

Fr. Mariano Majado

Fr. Jose Saenz

Fr. Carlos Zoepfechen, O.M.I.

Fr. Esteban De Anta, O.M.I.

Brother Tessier, O.M.I.

Fr. Jose Prieto, O.M.I.

Fr. Edward Bastien, O.M.I.

Fr. Francis Decker, O.M.I.

Fr. John Kelly, O.M.I.

Fr. Felix Sola, O.M.I.

Fr. J. Dawn, O.M.I.

Fr. Francis Beazely, O.M.I.

Fr. Silvester OToole, O.M.I.

Fr. Donald Haile, O.M.I.

Fr. Charles Michalka

Fr. Everett Trebtoske

Fr. Rosendo Rafael

Fr. Albert Ruiz

Fr. Bob Mahoney

Fr. Patrick Jones

Fr. John Boiko

Fr. Juan Maravilla

Fr. George Joseph

Sister Lupe

Sister Mary

Sister Margaret

Sister Louis

Deacon Cleo Cruz

Deacon Larry Dunne

Deacon Sam Santa Ana

Deacon John Franklin
Deacon Channing Fell

In the early days, the Elgin Catholic Church was attached to several different parishes and served by various priests who visited the Central Texas communities. During this time a Church was built and dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the year 1906. Mr. Pablo Rosas spearheaded the drive on part of the laity by collecting funds, organizing the people, and along with other members of the community, dedicated many hours to the actual building of the original Church. With the funds collected, property located on Third Street was purchased. Since there were no living quarters for the itinerant missionary, many a time the priest enjoyed the hospitality of their faithful friends and family who opened their hearts and homes. Later, a sacristy was built and the visiting priest had a bed available there to spend the night.

Under the direction of Fr. De Anta and Brother Tessier, along with the men of the parish, the original Church was enlarged in 1925. Elgin was a mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Austin at this time. During this time, many of the organizations of Sacred Heart of Elgin were formed. To name a few: "Teresitas" for the little girls, the "Hijas de Maria" for the young girls, the "Sociedad Guadalupana" for the ladies, and the "Sociedad de Sagrado Corazon" for men. These organizations became responsible for the Parish "Jamaicas". Interestingly, the parish fiesta in May of 1946 brought in a profit of $51.41. Our 2003 fiesta returned a profit of $42,499; an indication of

both the generosity of our parishioners and the growth of the community.

In 1938, the Elgin Mission was transferred to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Taylor. It was during this time Mr. Albert Mikulencak donated property for the new Church on West Eleventh Street. An army chapel was obtained from nearby Camp Swift and moved to its location in Elgin. On July 5, 1948, the Bishop of the Diocese of Austin, The Most Reverend Louis J. Reicher, blessed the Church of the Sacred Heart, which was the first Church to be blessed in the new Diocese of Austin. In 1951 the rectory was built. Also in 1951 Sacred Heart Church of Elgin was promoted from the status of a mission to that of a Parish. It was at this time the Missions of St. Joseph's in Manor and Sacred Heart in Bastrop were attached to Sacred Heart of Elgin.

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In 1955, a disastrous fire ravaged the Church. This did not impede Elgin Catholics from worshiping and celebrating mass. From August 1955, until September 1956, the Holy Mass was offered twice each Sunday in the Elgin High School auditorium. Construction began on the new Church and on September 7, 1956, the first Mass was offered in the new structure. The Solemn Blessing of the Church was delayed until the arrival of the marble altar and the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was donated by the Sacred Heart Society, and is currently located on facade of the church. Bishop Reicher blessed the Church on February 10, 1957.

In June of 1976, Fr. Rosendo Rafael was transferred to Elgin. During his tenure, the parish remodeled the rectory (now the annex building), the Church, and the old religious education building (which was formerly the convent). At this time the Parish purchased the property located behind the Church. The old parish hall was demolished and a new parish hall was built (completed in 1985). During Fr. Albert Ruiz's tenure with Elgin, the parish hall debt was paid and plans were started for the new education building. It was under the direction of Fr. John Boiko that the plans for the new education building were revised and expanded. Ground broke on the education building in July of 2000.  The Good Shepherd Education Building, Administrative offices and Queen of Peace Chapel were completed in May of 200l.

Currently ministering to the Catholic Community of Elgin is Fr. George Joseph, who was appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart effective August 1, 2005.