In March of 1953, the Diocese of San Diego purchased a liquor store from Mr. and Mrs. Lisk, to be the first site for Sacred Heart Church. That building, until recently, was know as the Teen Center. The first Mass for Sacred Heart Parish was celebrated by the Resurrection fathers in that building on Easter Sunday in 1953. Two Masses were celebrated every Sunday, and there were 120 families registered in the parish.

As the parish grew, a new church needed to celebrate Mass was built by the parishioners under the direction of Fr. Francis Horvath. Plans were drawn and donated by Mr. James Herrero of North Hollywood. The church was dedicated by His Excellency Charles Buddy, Bishop of San Diego, on December 13, 1958.

The convent, now know as the Ministry Center, and the school were also built by the parishioners. Plans were drawn for the school in the early 1960's. The school was dedicated in honor of Anton Martin Slomsek, a mid-19th century Slovenian bishop from Austria, by Fr. Horvath.

In 1977, the I-15 freeway was constructed across the northwest corner of the property. The sale of that land to CalTrans, as well as the time and financial support from the Biane family, owners of the Brookside Winery, enabled the parish to build the Community Center. A capital campaign was also used to raise funds to help build the hall making this a community project in the parish. A brass plaque in the entry of the hall commemorates the dedication of the Community Center on March 15, 1979, by Bishop Straling.

During the time of Frs. Horvath, Snoj, and Gaglia, the surrounding areas of Etiwanda changed from an agricultural area to the bustling commercial, business, and housing areas we know today.

In 1990, Fr. Fred Gaglia began serious plans to redevelop Sacred Heart Parish, and bought 24 acres on north Etiwanda Avenue. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, this plan had to be abandoned in 1997. The later sale of that land recouped all expenses and left a tidy sum for redevelopment of the Foothill property.

Also in 1997, Fr. Steve Porter initiated the idea of using church plans he had already developed at another parish for Sacred Heart. Currently these plans for a 1000 seat church, along traditional Catholic lines, are in process of diocesan evaluation.

1999 brought the first Parochial Vicar, Fr. Mike Krelovich. Fr. Mike was reassigned as the Parish Administrator at St. Josephs Church in Big Bear beginning January 2, 2001. Fr. Walter Downs assisted through early spring 2002, and Fr. Joe Quattropane was assigned as Parochial Vicar beginning July 1, 2001. In April 2002 Deacon Ed Clark joined our parish. Deacon Roberto Cardenas joined the parish in late 2003, ministering to the Hispanic community.

A major change in the pastoral staff took place on July 1, 2003, when Fr. Steve was moved to St. Catherine of Sienna parish in Rialto and Fr. Quattropane was re-assigned to St. Joseph's in Barstow. Sacred Heart was assigned Dr. Peter Newburn as a Pastoral Coordinator. Fr. Ed Molumby serves as Priest Minister.

At present, the parish has over 1300 families, six Sunday Masses, and a wide variety of Ministries.