Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church

This Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church was established and dedicated on January 1, 1881. The mining camps in those days attracted people from Serbia, Italy, Spain, Ireland,etc. This Church was built to meet the religious and spiritual needs of those early miners and their famlies who were predominently Catholic.   Nellie Cashman, known as the  angel of the mining camps", was the driving force behind building a Catholic Church in 1880 in Tombstone.She raised money, hauled lumber, and oversaw construction of the first wooden Church[actually a building that sergved as a Rectory for the Priest and room enough to hold Mass]. A larger building exclusively for Church services was completed in 1882.   Tpday, the five building complex is in a harmoneous stucco finish. Three of the structures and the two 120 year old Banksia Rose bushes are listed on the United   States Department of Interior's Historic Landmarks:    1. The original wooden Church built in 1880[ now the Parish Offices].   2.The second building completed in 1882[ now the Parish Hall].   3. The current place of worship completed in 1947.   4. The two Banksia Rose Buishes[from Scotland]. located behind the Church cover 5000 square feet and are in full bloom with  white roses in April of each year.   This year,2006, marks the 125th anniversary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Tombstone, Arizona Territory.    "