203 W Home St / (573) 594-2717

The Catholic Church in Vandalia began in 1891 with several families holding services in the home of John Frazier Coontz. The early services were conducted by Edward J Dempsey. In 1913, with the growth of Catholic families in the area, a building site was purchased from Dr. W. W Bland, on the corner of Home and Lindell St. The first building cost approximately $4,500. When a large new Walsh Fire Clay Plant was completed, there was an influx of Catholic families and residence for a full-time priest. The new Sacred Heart Church building was erected in 1978. The Parish Center and educational building was completed and dedicated in 1991. A shrine in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Sacred Heart of Jesus was built in 1991 by Robert Haydn in honor of his mother, Virginia Mahl.