Sod Turn at Sacred Heart Parish, Westmead, marks start of new church after 75 years of service to community
Construction has officially begun on Sacred Heart Parish, Westmead’s long-awaited new Catholic church at Darcy Road, launching an exciting new chapter for the local community.
At the heart of the vibrant Westmead Catholic Community precinct – which includes four schools – the church will bring together liturgy, worship, education and families, while celebrating 75 years of faith, service and connection to the community.
Artists impression images of the new Sacred Heart Parish church during a sod turning ceremony at Westmead. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Parishioners, school leaders and community representatives gathered Wednesday 11 February as Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, led a prayer and blessing alongside Parish Priest Fr Walter Fogarty; followed by a sod turn officially commencing construction of the new Sacred Heart Church.
Bishop Vincent said the celebration recognised the parish’s proud history, its 75-year jubilee of service to a diverse and growing community, and the promise of its future.
“This isn’t just about the physical building – it’s about a way of being Church … a Church that is more participative, more mission-driven, and more in sync with the suffering world around us.”
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, speaks during the sod turning ceremony for the new Sacred Heart Parish church at Westmead. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
“Here we have not just a worshipping centre, but also the biggest and the most innovative Catholic learning ecosystem anywhere in Western Sydney.
“This is the Church that we want to be – sharing with the world around us.”
The new parish development will include a 400-seat church and expanded parish facilities, providing a welcoming place for worship, gatherings and pastoral care for the growing Westmead community.
Artists impression images of the new Sacred Heart Parish church during a sod turning ceremony at Westmead. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Parish Priest Fr Walter Fogarty said many of those attending the ceremony had deep ties to the parish across multiple generations.
“Today, Sacred Heart’s diverse community celebrated – parishioners who lived in Westmead before there was a parish gathered with those yet to take their first steps, with multiple generations marking this important moment in our history.”
(L-R) City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, Parish Priest Fr Walter Fogarty and parishioner Jeanette Halligan during the sod turning ceremony for the new Sacred Heart Parish church at Westmead. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
While local Catholic worship in Westmead dates back to 1928, Sacred Heart Parish first celebrated Masses at Westmead Boys’ Home before opening its original church on 1 February 1954. Over the decades, the parish has helped establish Catholic education in the area and maintained a long pastoral connection with the Westmead hospital precinct.
The new church project is one component of the wider Westmead Catholic Community development – a major co-located faith and education precinct announced in 2019 and approved by the Independent Planning Commission in 2023.
The broader project includes redevelopment and upgrades across the Westmead Catholic Community Education Campus, including a new six-storey building that will include the new Sacred Heart Primary Westmead and new student learning spaces for Catherine McAuley, expansion of student capacity, a new Ambrose Early Learning Centre and out-of-school-hours care, and improved access and landscaping across the site. Together, the works will support an increased number of students, a significant expansion of local Catholic education and community facilities.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, blesses the ground during the sod turning ceremony for the new Sacred Heart Parish church at Westmead. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese leaders, Diocesan representatives, project partners and parishioners attended the ceremony; highlighting the shared vision for an integrated precinct where faith, learning and community life are closely connected.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese CEO Jack de Groot said: “This project brings faith, learning and community together in a meaningful way. Sacred Heart Parish and our local schools have supported generations of families in Westmead, and the new church strengthens that partnership.
“We’re excited about what this next chapter will mean for our community and thankful for the leadership from Parish Priest Fr Walter Fogarty and our school principals.”
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, with representatives from Mother Teresa Primary and Sacred Heart Primary during the sod turning ceremony for the new Sacred Heart Parish church at Westmead. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
The overall project represents an investment of around $80 million and is expected to generate around 1000 local construction jobs and over 100 ongoing operational roles, delivering both community and economic benefits to the Westmead area.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter, who attended the event, said the Catholic community makes a vital contribution to life in Westmead and the broader Parramatta LGA, calling it the “bedrock” of Parramatta.
“On behalf of the City of Parramatta, thank you for sharing your vision and for everything you have undertaken to make Parramatta the best place to learn, worship, work and play.”
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter speaks during the sod turning ceremony for the new Sacred Heart Parish church at Westmead. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
The church construction is expected to be completed later this year.
For more information, visit the Sacred Heart parish website: https://www.sacredheartwestmead.com.au
View images from the sod turning ceremony on Flickr or below.
