Happy Easter! Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located at 66 Cottage Street in East Berlin, was erected in 1896-1897. At the time, the Catholic population of East Berlin was expanding rapidly, in large part owing to the growth of the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, which required an enlarged labor force. Land for the church was secured on August 12, 1896 for $400 and the cornerstone was laid by Bishop Michael Tierney on November 8, 1896. The plans were drawn by architect Joseph A. Jackson of Waterbury and the building contract was awarded to R.O. Clark of East Berlin. The project was warmly encouraged and supported by the Berlin Bridge Company, whose president, Charles M. Jarvis, contributed $300 toward the construction. The structure was completed at a cost of $7,300. Sacred Heart Church was dedicated on Sunday, May 30, 1897. The church became a full parish in 1967. On March 1, 2017, Sacred Heart Church merged with St. Paul Church in Kensington to form a new St. Paul’s Parish.
Located next to the Church, at 72 Cottage Street, is the G. Jennie Kent House, built in 1897.
