German Catholic Church
Sterling IL, Whiteside County
Sacred Heart Church (German Catholic) was organized in 1870, and is situated in the northern part of the city. The buildings belonging to the church consist of the church edifice, parsonage, and school. The membership of the church now numbers something over fifty. Sunday School has about fifty scholars, and is under the charge of the Rev Father Allgayer, assisted by the sisters. The day school is also under the charge of the pastor, with a number of the sisters as teachers. Father Allgaycr has had charge of the church and parish about a year.
Source: Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County 1877
Information at hand gives us nothing of the very early historyof htis church, more than its organization January 6, 1870, with William Schamonie as parish priest, and they worshipped in Bressler's Hallf or a season, followed by the erection of a modest frame building, in which the society worshipped until the completion of their present magnificent edifice, located onthe corner of First avenue and Seventh street.
From the organization of the parish the communicants increased in number, and early in the eighties the work of preparation for a more commodious church building was discussed, and in July 1884 the foundation walls were laid, and on August 28, 1884, under the personal supervision of Archbishop Feehan, the corner stone was laid. On Sunday May 2, 1886, the edifice having been completed, the church was dedicated, Archbishop Feehan again officiating, assisted by Fathers F.S. Henneberry of St. Pius church Chicago; H.M. Fegers the parish priest, deacon; and J. Murray of the Cathedral, Chicago, chancellor fo the diocese, sub-deacon. The ceremony was very imposing and was attended by a large concourse of people
The building is one of the finest in our city, erected at a cost of upwards of $20,000, and the finishing and furnishings are commendable tributes of the zeal and enterprise of those who there worship.
The church has been served by Fathers William Schamonie, 1870-71; A. Thiele, 1871-72; A. Urban, 1872-76; T. Allgryo 1876-77; J. Beinecke 1877-81; George Miller 1881-85; H.M. Fegers 1885 to the present time - a long pastorate, manifesting a close communion and general good feeling between priest and people. In 1874 a parchial school was established and has been continuously maintained. Many of our best and most enterprising German citizens are communicants of this parrish.
Sterling Standard Dec. 11, 1896
