Priests based in San Patricio looked after the pastoral needs of the people in Odem beginning in the 1830’s and continued for nearly 100 years. Father Miguel Puig traveled by horseback to offer Mass in the area. Between 1919 and 1920, the first church structure in Odem was built and given the name Sacred Heart Mission. Priests continued to travel from San Patricio to administer the sacraments unti
l 1934 when Sacred Heart was elevated to the status of a parish with Father Puig 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. Then, in 1982 the people managed to save enough funds to build a new rectory. In 1983 and 1985 respectively, a new parish hall and a new Religious Education Center were built under the supervision of Msgr. Currently, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in comprised of approximately 600 Catholic families. Its organizations include the Guadalupanas, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, Cursillistas, ministry to the home-bound, altar servers, liturgy committee, pastoral council, Works of Mercy and a youth program. Approximately 340 elementary, junior high and high school youth are enrolled in the religious education program.
