Blessed Sacrament began in 1844 when Fr. Daniel Downey, rector of St. Francis in Staunton, became the first priest to serve the early Catholic settlers of Irish, German and French ancestry in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
In the 1860's, Fr. James Bixio would write to the Harrisonburg Postmaster to tell him when he would be visiting to offer Mass. Catholic boys would serve as runners, spreading the news to area Catholics. Mass was offered in a chapel on German Street (now Liberty Street), in the home of E. J. Sullivan on East Elizabeth Street or sometimes in the former Virginia Hotel. In 1866 Mass was celebrated by Fr. F. J. Ambler Weed in a “white” Baptist Church on North Main Street. It was not until 1871 that a church building was finally acquired in Harrisonburg, during the pastorship of Fr. John McVerry. Hanora Flynn, a native of County Limerick, Ireland had married John Kelly and was active in both religious and secular affairs.
Toward the end of the Civil War, tradition says she crossed through
enemy lines alone and made her way to Richmond to exchange Confederate money for gold. She returned to Harrisonburg carrying the gold in a money belt tied around her waist. With this money she purchased a lot where the Federal Building now stands. There was not sufficient money for a building so the lot was traded for the old Methodist Church located on West Market Street. The building was dedicated in August 1876 and the new parish was named the “Catholic Church of the Transfiguration.” A successful day school was located in the basement.
In April 1905, the Church was partially destroyed by fire. Mrs. Thomas F. Ryan, wife of a wealthy New York magnate, donated $15,000 for the construction of a new church building. The congregation spent $7,500 for the land it now occupies. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on October 21, 1906 and by the fall of 1907 the new church was completed. On November 28, 1907 the new church was dedicated as Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
In 1919 Blessed Sacrament was assigned its first resident pastor, Father Joseph J. DeGryse. Father William Meredith, a Staunton native, succeeded Father DeGryse and was pastor from 1920 to 1936. In 1936, Father Edwin Lee was assigned to Blessed Sacrament and served as pastor for the next two years. Father Edmond Kiefer succeeded him in 1938. Father Conrad Hoffner served as pastor from 1942 until 1949. During that time the parish hall was remodeled to provide room for religious education of children and for social activities, such as meetings of The Holy Name Society and the Ladies Sodality. Two nuns from the Daughters of Charity came on Saturday mornings from Staunton to conduct the “Sister's School” for the children of the parish.
From 1949 to 1954 Father Charles Comaskey, a native of Ireland, served as pastor. During Father John McMahon's pastorate, the interior of the church was redecorated. The church also celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sunday March 24, 1957 with Most Reverend Peter L. Ireton, Bishop of the Diocese of Richmond, presiding.
In 1958, Fr. Edward Johnston became pastor of Blessed Sacrament. During the next decade the parish grew rapidly and the old rectory and parish hall were demolished and replaced with a new building, appropriately named Johnston Hall.
In 1968, Father Robert Hickman became pastor and Father Johnston remained in residence as pastor emeritus. The parish became increasingly involved in the community, especially in meeting the needs of the less fortunate in Harrisonburg. In 1971 Father James Noto was named pastor. During his pastorate the church was extensively remodeled to reflect Vatican II changes and to draw the congregation closer to the celebrant and the altar during Mass.
Father William LaFrata became pastor in 1975 and served as pastor for one year. The following year he was named director of Emmaus House, a new diocesan program providing service opportunities for young college graduates to explore and serve in social outreach ministries. Fr. LaFratta was succeeded by Br. Pete Mahoney as director of Emmaus House and was next appointed full-time Catholic Campus Minister (CCM) for the rapidly growing James Madison University. Under his leadership, the CCM acquired a building adjacent to the Campus to house the Catholic Campus Ministry program.
In 1976, Father Charles Saglio was named pastor to the parish's 350 families. During his tenure a search for the first full time lay minister of religious education was initiated and Peg Custer was hired to be Minister of Religious Education
In 1980, Father Ken Rush became Blessed Sacrament's pastor. While here he saw the church grow in numbers to over 560 families. His leadership during the next twelve years provided stability and development of growing ministries in the growing parish. Under the direction of Fr. Ken Rush, the 1980's saw the addition of a new, handicapped entranceway to the church and the purchase of a separate rectory on Meadowlark Drive.
Father Ken Wood came to Harrisonburg and Blessed Sacrament Parish
in July of 1992. The Parish Planning committee soon became the Building Committee, exploring the challenge of expanding the sanctuary and classroom space. In 1993 the parish bought the public parking lot behind the church and plans for the new sanctuary were underway. On Saturday June 11, 1994, ground was broken for the new church and the dedication took place on June 28, 1995. During this time, the number of registered households grew to over 1,200.
In June 2003, the Blessed Sacrament community welcomed Fr. James Gallagher from Sacred Heart parish in New Bohemia, Virginia.
In June 2005, Blessed Sacrament welcomes Fr. Thomas Mattingly who comes to us from St. John the Apostle Church in Norfolk, Virginia.
Newly Ordained Fr. Tony Marques joined the Parish Staff in June 2006.
