Welcome
Historic Sacred Heart Church was built by Father Albert Braun, a genuine hero of World War I and II, and the residents of the Golden Gate and the surrounding barrios. Golden Gate Barrio was decimated by the West Approach Land Acquisition project of the City of Phoenix, and Historic Sacred Heart stands in what was the heart of Golden Gate Barrio. Once the City gained possession of Sacred Heart, it moved for the immediate demolition of the church. The displaced former residents strongly opposed the obliteration of the symbol of generations of vecinos who played an important role in the development of Phoenix. The Braun-Sacred Heart Center was formed in 1987 to save Historic Sacred Heart and to create a community museum in honor of the memory of the heroic Father Albert Braun and of the community that played a major role in creating Phoenix as represented by the residents of Golden Gate, the surrounding barrios, and American Legion Post 41.
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For over three decades, the nonprofit organization, Braun-Sacred Heart Center, has represented the wishes of the former Golden Gate Barrio residents to save and restore the Old Sacred Heart Church Building in Phoenix, Arizona. Although the City of Phoenix insisted that Sacred Heart Church was not of significant historic and cultural importance, after 25 years of struggle, the Braun-Sacred Heart Center gained approval of its application to have Historic Sacred Heart Church placed on the United States National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
At present, Historic Sacred Heart Church is leased from the City of Phoenix by Sacred Heart Parish and the Diocese of Phoenix. The Braun-Sacred Heart Center continues to work for The establishment of a Community/Veteran’s museum at the former Sacred Heart Church in honor of Father Albert Braun’s military and civilian service to his country, and also of the service of all of the veterans and families that came from Golden Gate and the other barrios of Phoenix—their history is little known and underappreciated. These efforts are solidly supported by the American Legion Post 41. |
Until we gain the resources to establish a museum, the Braun-Sacred Heart Center will continue work on its documentary series, Arizona’s Mexican Heritage: An American Story, the initial drafts of which are available for review on this site. We invite you to support and contribute to the Braun-Sacred Heart Center’s projects and efforts.
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Late 1950s first communion video of the Sacred Heart Church and Father Albert Braun, Golden Gate Barrio, Phoenix, Arizona. Film courtesy of the Torres family.
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