Bishop Thomas A. Becker, the third bishop of Georgia, presented the Marist Fathers with a commission for a new parish on May 12, 1897, subject to approval by the Holy See. The parish of Sts. Peter and Paul was given “in pepetuum” with boundaries “all to the north of Edgewood Avenue and to the east of the railway running parallel to Marietta Street.” The entire parish territory consisted of approximately 9,500 square miles of North Georgia. Father William Gibbons was appointed pastor to be assisted by Father John Guinan.

Within a year after their arrival in Georgia, The Marist Fathers had built the Sacred Heart Church. Dedicated on May 1, 1898, by Bishop Becker the Church received the following announcement in the Atlanta Constitution: Solemn Ponitifical Mass will be read in the Church of the Sacred Heart this morning at 10:30. The dedication ceremony will occur immediately before the Mass.

Further improvements were made on the church during the next decade including the addition of stained glass windows, confessionals and the present basement church to be used as a Sunday School chapel.

Under the pastorate of Father George Rapier, the Holy Name Society was inaugurated on November 12, 1912. Father Rapier further added to the parochial school begun under Father Gunn. The present Sacred Heart Rectory was built by him in 1914 to serve as housing for the priests of the parish and college.

Father Peter McOscar took charge of the parish as its fourth pastor in 1914. During his tenure in this office the Sacred Heart Church underwent a complete renovation. At the same time the spacious sacristy to the rear of the church was also added.

Perhaps the most important event during this period was the consecration of the Church. Not to be confused with the dedication, the consecration can take place only after many conditions are met, including the removal of all debt and the assurance of great permanency of the structure. This event took place on June 9, 1920 with Bishop Edward P. Allen officiating.

During the administration of Father James A. Horton in the early twenties, a more permanent structure was erected to serve as the grade school for Sacred Heart. At the same time a permanent residence was established by the Sisters of St. Joseph who staffed the school.

The first native Georgian to become pastor of Sacred Heart was Father James Reily who was born in Savannah, Georgia.

Father Thomas Roshetko assumed the duties of pastor in 1959. The Marist College (now Marist School) moved to its new quarters in 1962 allowing more room in the Sacred Heart facilities.

Although the parish was first established in a residential area, that section of town had now been completely taken over by businesses. With the lack of enough students the grade school of Sacred Heart was closed in 1964. Its close proximity to St. Joseph’s Infirmary makes the hospital one of its daily cares. Now a downtown parish, Sacred Heart serves the many needs of visitors and guests of the city in addition to its regular parishioners.