Sacred Heart Church, El Paso

Sacred Heart Church is a Catholic parish that has served the Hispanic community of the border region for more than a century. It was founded in 1893 by Jesuit Father Carlos M. Pinto, an Italian missionary often called the “Apostle of El Paso,” to support Spanish-speaking Catholics. The first church building was dedicated on June 9, 1893, and the parish soon became a centre for worship and community support.

In the early twentieth century, the congregation grew quickly as refugees arrived from Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and later religious persecution. To serve the expanding community, the church began major renovations around 1923, with the building reaching its present form between 1928 and 1929.

The church reflects Gothic Revival architecture, with pointed arches, clustered columns, tall stained-glass windows, and a central bell tower. The parish remains active today, holding Masses in both English and Spanish and offering community programs such as a food pantry, job assistance, and adult education including ESL and GED classes.