Around 1852 or 1853, William Phelan, of Lancaster, Ohio, willed to the diocese four acres of land, which became the grounds of Sacred Heart.

As early as 1875, the lot was in the midst of a rapidly growing Catholic population which was seeking homes north of the Union Station.

[2] On the 19th of April 1876, 83 pupils were enrolled into the new school, which was run by Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity.

Hugh Ewinghad been ordained but a short time when he was sent to Sacred Heart Church, and continued until the formation of St. Peter's parish of which he was made pastor.

Bishop Watterson purchased from Robert E. Neil in February, 1890, six lots on the comer of Buttles and Harrison Avenues.

A. M. Leyden was appointed pastor of the newly formed parish of St. Francis in June, 1892, being transferred from Toronto, Ohio, where he had faithfully served the missions for six years.

[2] The growth of the north end continued, and soon the necessity of erecting a church in the eastern part of the parish became obvious.

Some time previously Father Eis had rented from Mr. Thomas Benson a storeroom on Cleveland Avenue.

There were eighty pupils in attendance, and one of the Sisters of St. Francis went each day from Sacred Heart Convent to teach the school.

Ewing were requested by Bishop Watterson to look for suitable property in Milo, with the view of starting a new parish.

They selected a site on New York Avenue and Mr. John Sweeney was authorized by the Bishop to purchase the property, which he did Nov. 14, 1895, for the sum of $2,666.66.

Bishop Hartley established Holy Name parish and appointed as pastor, Rev.

Father Eis is buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, and the parish shortly after his death marked his last resting place with a fine monument.

During the first illness of Eis, priests Hackett, Fischer and Kilgallen looked after the spiritual needs of the parish.

In June, 1914, he was appointed Pastor of Holy Cross Church in Glouster, Ohio, and remained there until he entered the Army as a chaplain.

Upon his arrival at Sacred Heart, Father Ryan began immediately to lay the ground work for the new church.

In January, 1920, the "Sacred Heart Church Calendar" was inaugurated in its present format to record the various activities and progress of the parish.

By 1922, over $50,000 had been collected and plans for the church and rectory drawn by Robert Kraus, an architect from Akron, Ohio, were accepted; and actual construction commenced in May, 1922.

Despite delays, satisfactory progress was made and on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1923, at 10 p.m., the new church was solemnly dedicated to the service of Almighty God by Bishop Hartley.

It is of pure Tudor Gothic design and has been pronounced one of the most correct and beautiful churches in the state of Ohio.

The following article appeared in the January 15, 1924, issue of the Ohio State Lantern written by Professor W. L. Graves of the Ohio State University: "If you want to see a beautiful building, stop in at the Church of the Sacred Heart at the corner of Hamlet Street and First Avenue.

1stepped inside and found the church was empty except for a black-gowned nun who was directing some subdued small boys in the gathering up of books used in a service.

The church has a perfect unity of effect, a beautiful serenity and dignity of design that makes worship there, one feels, a memorable experience.

Bishop Hartley had announced in 1923 plans for the erection of a Diocesan Seminary for the preparatory education of boys with a view to fostering vocations for the priesthood.

[citation needed] In the fall of 1934, Pope Pius XI recognized the priestly work of Ryan and named him a Domestic Prelate of the Papal Household.

Despite the Great Depression and many families moving from the district, the parish remained generally strong.

[7] Samuel Ritchey, the pastor of the parish in 1999, was removed from his post due to sexually abusing a minor more than 20 years before.