Father Villeger, Stenzil and O’Conner had charge of the Kent County Missions until 1876 at which time the Bishop assigned Father George S. Bradford and Sacred Heart Parish began officially as Father Bradford took up residence in Chestertown. It was at this time that Rock Hall was first included in the parish.

The original church building was constructed in 1878 on land obtained by the parish with the help of Father Bradford and Miss Josephine E. Redue of Church Hill. Then, in 1880 Father Bradford moved to Galena which became a separate parish. Galena would later become part of the parish again in 1887.

Father John D. Carey succeeded Father Bradford and at that time there were about 90 Catholics in Chestertown and 80 in Rock Hall. Our Parish has always been an important part of the Kent County community. The current Sacred Heart Church building was dedicated on November 25, 1973 by The Most Rev. Bishop Thomas J. Mardaga, D.D.

The Jesuit Fathers, stationed at Bohemia Manor in Cecil County took care of this area and in the mid 1800’s one of their number, Father George Villeger, J.S. was assigned to Kent County which at that time was considered a mission of the Jesuit Priests.

Since the day of the earliest settlers there have been Catholics in Kent County and the Faith was kept alive through the 1700’s even though there were no priests on regular assignment.

Currently, Sacred Heart and St. John Parish have over 600 registered families. The spirit of service and faith continues to prosper today, just as it did in the most early days of our parish.