History of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

From 1830 to 1929, priests from the Parish in San Patricio looked after the pastoral needs of the people in Odem, Texas. Early records show that Father Miguel Pulg travelled by horseback to offer Mass in the area. Shortly after the turn of the century, between 1919 to 1920, the first church structure in Odem was built. It was given the name Sacred Heart Mission. Priests continued to travel from San Patricio to administer the Sacraments until 1934 when Sacred Heart was elevated to the status of a Parish with Father Pulg as the first pastor.

The people of this new parish proved to be energetic and hard working. In 1960, the present church building was constructed under the direction of the enthusiastic Father Hubert Adam. Much of the construction and labor involved in building this church was accomplished by the parishioners themselves. Then, in 1982 the people managed to save enough funds to build the rectory. In 1983 and 1985 respectively, a new parish hall and a new Religious Education Center were built under the supervision of Monseigneur Joseph Alverado. The latter project was completed with funds received from the Kennedy Memorial Foundation and presently serves elementary, jr. high and high school youth enrolled in the CCD program.