Sacred Heart Church

On May 31, 1950, the parishioners welcomed the nomination of Father Adelard J. Halde as fifth pastor of Sacred Heart. He was well known, because immediately after his ordination to the priesthood in 1922, he was assigned as curate of the parish and remained for two and a half years. When Father Halde arrived at Sacred Heart Parish, it became clear that all of the parish properties needed to be refreshed. 

Since it was not prudent to undertake construction without having the necessary resources, Father Halde undertook the repairs and upgrade of the properties in order to prolong their duration and to give them the dignity worthy of the Sacred Heart. Father Halde then developed a plan that would be executed to construct a new church. The parishioners, who had long desired the construction of a new church, responded generously each time the pastor spoke to them regarding this project. He had plans prepared and his project had received the approval of His Excellence Monsignor Matthew F. Brady, Bishop of the diocese of Manchester. Construction on the new church began in December of 1956. 

The new brick church replaced the old wood church, which was then reorganized into class rooms. The new church was able to accommodate 600 people, instead of 450 like the old church. A neighboring property was acquired and the parking area in the back of the parish grounds was enlarged. For Midnight Mass on December 25, 1957. Father Halde, assisted by his two curates Fathers Gregoire Dumont and Leo Frechette, celebrated the first Mass at the new church.

On May 30, 1958 His Excellence Monsignor Matthew F. Brady dedicated the cornerstone for the new church. A leather chest was deposited in the cornerstone in which silver pieces, a list of benefactors of the new church, a list of children of Sacred Heart School as well as dedication in French were enclosed.  The dedication reads as follows: "This Holy Stone of Sacred Heart Church was deposited by His Excellency Matthew F. Brady, Bishop of Manchester, assisted by numerous priests and citizens on May 30th in the year of our Lord 1958 under the reign of the Sovereign Pontiff Pius Xll".

The parish continued to thrive under Father Halde's direction and celebrated its Golden Jubilee on June 4, 1961. In March of 1962, Father Halde was named a Domestic Prelate, the first in the parish history.  On June 10, 1969 Father Halde retired due to health reasons and Father Maurice A. Boulanger became the sixth pastor of Sacred Heart. One of his early accomplishments as new Pastor of the parish was to establish a parish council in compliance with the wishes of the bishop. Several parishes already had such councils composed of lay people