Augusta’s Sacred Heart Cultural Center hosted its annual Christmas Lesson and Nine Carols. This is the former Sacred Heart Catholic Church in downtown Augusta. It was completed in 1903 and closed in 1970. During its heyday, it was founded and staffed by the Jesuits. They departed in 1958. It had a convent, large rectory and elementary school
Augusta experienced suburban flight long before most other cities. This was due to major fires and flooding from the Savannah River until a levee was built. The movement went toward the “Hill” which is still an exclusive part of Augusta with the Diocese of Savannah’s largest parish which took parishioners from Sacred Heart and Saint Patrick (Most Holy Trinity) six blocks from Sacred Heart. There was also Immaculate Conception Church and School founded for blacks in Augusta.
There was no need for three downtown churches by the 1970’s and the three were combined into one using St. Patrick’s facilities and the name of the Church returned to its official name of Most Holy Trinity founded in 1810.
It was purchased from the Diocese of Savannah in 1986 by a concerned Methodist family who did not want it torn down. It was restored as a cultural center, but maintaining its Catholic character to include all the altars, statuary (even the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes), stations of the Cross and stained glass.
It can be rented for a variety of religious or secular uses, some not so pretty.
2 comments:
This could have happened to Saint Josephs if there was another church built in North Macon. Thank Wisdom of God that didn't happen.
Yes indeed that could have happen especially if Holy Spirit had been built in a different location where all the growth did take place.
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