The roof is being replaced on the school and gym at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School in Warsaw. Photo provided by Todd Davis.

News Release

WARSAW — Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School has been advancing its mission to expand Catholic education and enhance parish facilities.

An effort was launched in April 2024 to expand the school, update the church and campus, and add seventh and eighth grades. Now, just over a year into a three-year journey, the campaign has surpassed the halfway point, with more than $4.6 million pledged toward the $9.1 million goal.

How It Began

The seeds of the campaign were planted in the fall of 2022 over dinner with four parish couples and the Rev. Jonathan Norton. At that time, Norton, assigned by Bishop Kevin Rhoades several years earlier, had been tasked with expanding Sacred Heart’s elementary school, which then served students through sixth grade. That evening, the couples committed to launching a capital campaign focused on growing the school, upgrading the campus and extending Catholic education through eighth grade.

With the support of Rhoades and the Fort Wayne–South Bend Diocesan Finance Council, the campaign officially launched in April 2024. Now 15 months into the 36-month effort, the Sacred Heart community is marking a milestone: more than half of the total goal has already been raised — with 21 months still to go.

Catholic Education In Warsaw

“When Bishop Rhoades installed me as pastor of Sacred Heart in June 2018,” Norton said in a news release, “he mentioned that our school only went through sixth grade, despite the parish’s longstanding hope to expand to include eighth grade. The bishop believed this expansion would further support the parish and the growing desire for a Catholic high school in this area of the diocese. Our parish, and school, is focused on a core mission: to make disciples of Christ. This expansion and these improvements will give our students crucial additional time to mature in a strong Christian environment. I’m truly humbled by the incredible support and hard work of our parishioners in making this dream a reality.”

Helping To Lead

Brad Durcholz and his wife, Brenda, have been parishioners since 1986.

“Our three daughters attended Sacred Heart, and we saw the profound impact of a Christian-based, Catholic education,” Brad Durcholz said. “We want to make that opportunity available for more children. Middle school years are especially formative. When the campaign began taking shape, I told Father Jonathan I’d love to be part of it.”

Durcholz teamed up with longtime friend Todd Davis, both retired and ready to contribute their time and energy. “Todd and I have worked together for over 30 years. Serving as co-chairs has been incredibly rewarding — it’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm and support for the expansion.”

Davis, who served on the Sacred Heart school board in the late 1990s, recalled an earlier attempt to grow the school.

“My wife, Paulette, and I also had three daughters in Sacred Heart at the time,” Davis said. “We tried to initiate a middle school expansion under Father Phil DeVolder, but after six months of research, we had to admit the time wasn’t right. The parish couldn’t afford it, and enrollment didn’t justify the costs.”

“Today,” Davis continued, “the picture is different. Thanks to Indiana’s school voucher program, the school is nearly self-funded and operating near full capacity, with some classes on waiting lists. Now is the time.”

Work Underway

Enclosing the chapel at Sacred Heart is some of the work being done. Photo provided by Todd Davis.

Changes are already visible across the Sacred Heart campus.

“Of the $9.1 million goal, $1.3 million is allocated for upgrades to the existing church and school,” Durcholz said. “We’ve already deposited over $2 million in cash and have begun that work.”

Recent upgrades include:

• Renovated bathrooms across the campus
• New HVAC control software
• Full LED lighting installation
• A new A/V system in the current gym (soon to become the Parish Hall)
• A new roof for the school and gym
• An upgraded sound system for the church
• A new HVAC system and soft water system
• An exit door added to the church’s Cry Room
• And many more facility enhancements

“All of this has been made possible by the incredible generosity of our parish families, school alumni and several local foundations,” Davis said. “It’s amazing to see our vision already coming to life.”

Looking Ahead

As the campaign continues toward its goal over the next 21 months, Sacred Heart remains committed to the mission of expanding Catholic education and strengthening its parish community.

For more information about the “Building for Discipleship” campaign, visit sacredheartwarsaw.org or contact the church office at (574) 267-5842.