Sacred Heart Parish, Hudson, Michigan is observing a year long celebration commemorating the one-hundredth anniversary of the laying of the Church cornerstone and its dedication on October 30, 1906 by the Rt. Reverend John S. Foley, Bishop of the Diocese of Detroit. This beautiful structure, which first began in 1900, is totally constructed of field stone which was hauled to the job site by farmers with horse and wagons from the surrounding areas. Every man who could handle a stone hammer or trowel or a hammer and saw went to work at building. George LaFollette was the main stone cutter.  Most of the stone trimming that went around the openings of the doors and windows had to be cut in the rear of the stone to fit around wooden frames.  This was called “coins” in stone work. Two copper dome towers each 86 feet high tipped with gold crosses, topped the Church which is 135 feet long and 50 feet wide at the entrances and 72 feet in the transepts.  Its seating capacity is 500.  The original slate roof adorns the Church today. The original steam heat, electric lights, and interior finish of oak: pews, doors, and, hardwood floors and a marble communion rail are visible today. Mosaic tile was used in the Sanctuary, and an Itallian Carrara marble altar was set in place, as were the Stations of the Cross. 

Sacred Heart Church is French Renaissance with a combination of Romanesque and Byzantine architecture.  It boasts of beautiful stained glass windows imported from Munich, Germany in l905.  Windows in the main body of the Church depict the life of Christ.  The windows in the dome above the main altar depict Jesus’ family and St. Patrick.  A beautiful Rose Window enhances the choir loft. Sacred Heart’s humble beginnings were a meager little frame church on a hill in the township of Medina in Lenawee County dubbed “Catholic Hill” about 1846.  By decree of Bishop P.P. Lefevre of the Diocese of Detroit, Catholic Hill became a Mission Church of Adrian’s Catholic Church.  It became a Parish on October 23, 1859 when Rev. Francis J. Van Erp of Detroit became the first resident Pastor.  The Parish was concentrated to the Most Sacred Heart of  Jesus, and remained under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Detroit..  On July 21, 1971, Hudson and all Lenawee County Catholic Churches came under the Bishop of Lansing and remains so today.

This beautiful structure, dedicated on October 30, 1906 to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, stands today as a tribute to the Irish Immigrant settlers and future generations as an endearing and lasting devotion and trust in God. Many original Irish Family names are still prevalent in the parish.

Sacred Heart Church has gone through numerous stages of formation.  In 1983 original stone was cut out for an entrance to the basement which was dug in l905.  A lobby, stairway, and an elevator to the main level was installed, making the Church handicapped accessible.  The dirt basement was transformed into the present social hall complete with a full kitchen.    

The Centennial Committee, under the leadership of James Friedrich sponsored some events throughout the year to observe this milestone. James Malarney has researched and compiled tidbits about the early ancestors of the Parish, the growth and history of the present Church.  If you are familiar with Sacred Heart Church Parish, or have lived here, do send your memories to Centennial Committee, Sacred Heart Church, 207 Market St. Hudson, MI 49247.

A native Son, Matthew Hartley, was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Denver, Colorado, on May 13, 2006.  He “came home” on May 20, 2006 to offer a “First Mass” at his home parish, Sacred Heart, giving our Centennial year a great honor and privilege to host a newly ordained young man.  A parish reception followed after the five o’clock Mass. On the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 23, 2006, a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was held in the Church.  A potluck supper followed.  Many enjoyed pursing and sharing memories and stories of past pastors and the settlement of their ancestors.

On exhibit are vestments of the past to include a “fiddle back” chasuble, Latin Mass Missal, and a set of altar cards with prayers in Latin.  Also on exhibit are other memorabilia including the trowel used at the laying of the cornerstone in June,1905 and a pictorial exhibit of past Pastors from 1859 when Father J. Van Erp was named the first resident pastor of Sacred Heart Church to the present, Father Richard Eberle,OSFS.

Carl Mengling, Bishop of the Lansing Diocese, will honor the congregation with his presence when he will offer a Mass of Thanksgiving at the 10 o’clock Mass on Sunday, October, 22, 2006.  The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Honor Guard will be present adding solemnity to the Sacred Liturgy.  A Fellowship Dinner will follow the service.

The people of Sacred Heart Parish invite their “extended families” around the area to come and tour our beautiful one hundred year old Church.  Call the Church office (517-448-3811), and a guided tour can be arranged.
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