Albert Braun

Father Albert William Braun OFM (September 5, 1889 – March 6, 1983) was a Roman Catholic priest and teacher in the Southwest and the Pacific United States.

[3] In June 1918, he was permitted by his superiors to enlist as a US Army chaplain at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas.

He soon saw action with the 6th Infantry Division in one of the bloodiest World War I battles fought by American troops, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

Instead of staying in safety at the rear, the unarmed chaplain went "over the top" with the first assault and suffered shrapnel wounds to his jaw.

He gave the invocation for the inauguration of Philippine President Manuel Quezon on January 1, 1942, in Corregidor, and was present when General Jonathan M. Wainwright surrendered to the Japanese on May 7, 1942.

It was Braun who, despite the threat of personal harm, gained permission from the Japanese officers to bury and cremate the dead and who supervised the work of removing the badly decayed bodies from the caves of Corregidor for proper disposal.

Only after these chapels were built did the construction of the main church begin, being blessed by Bishop Gercke on October 14, 1956.

Construction of Santa Rita Hall began on November 20, 1956 to serve the residents of El Campito, and was completed in 1957.

[5] The altar, made of Italian marble, the roof, bell tower, and copper dome were added shortly after, completing construction.

Understanding the importance of community cohesion, Father Al and his parishioners continued to address non-religious needs such as lighting, pavements, and sewage systems.

The Golden Gate Barrio and its nearly 6,000 residents were forced out of their homes under eminent domain through the West Approach Land Acquisition in the 1970s and 1980s.

[9][10] The lot the Sacred Heart Church sits on is owned by the City of Phoenix, Aviation Department.