DALLAS CITY — For a century, the members of Sacred Heart Mission in Dallas City have worked hard to build up the Catholic Church and the faith in Hancock County wouldn’t be the same without them, according to Father Tony Trosley.

“The church there, in the very best sense of the words, is a proud, hard-working community. The people are deeply committed to the church,” said Father Trosley, who has been their pastor since 2003. “I can’t say enough about them and their efforts to keep the Catholic faith alive.”

Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, will have an opportunity to see that faith in action when he joins Sacred Heart parishioners on Saturday, Oct. 25, to celebrate their 100th anniversary. Concelebrants for the 4 p.m. Mass include Father Trosley and Father Thomas Szydlik, parochial vicar. Former pastors and priests who have served in the area have been invited back.

Following the Mass, there will be a dinner at the Dallas City Elementary School, 921 Creamery Hill Road. Rather than charging a fixed price, donations are being accepted to cover the cost of the meal, according to Dolores Markey, who is co-chairing the centennial celebration with her husband, John.

Reservations are being accepted through Monday, Oct. 20, and may be made by calling Ruth Higgins at (217) 852-3348, Randy Gibb at (217) 449-3726 or John Markey at (217) 852-6657.

“Parking at the church is limited, so we are encouraging people to park at the school and we will provide vans to bring them to the church,” Mrs. Markey told The Catholic Post, noting that the shuttles would probably start at about 3:15 p.m. “If people can’t come to the church — we know it’s small — we’re inviting them to come to the dinner anyway.”

To mark the occasion, the Sacred Heart Centennial Committee has published a book that includes stories and pictures of the people who made the faith community their spiritual home over the years.

“We’re very proud of that little book,” said Mrs. Markey. “So many of us are related. So many of us can trace our families back to those pioneer families.”

“We’re a small community. Everyone knows everyone else, so that sense of community is very strong,” she said.

Copies of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Centennial Book will be available for $20 at the Oct. 25 dinner celebration. To order one, send a check (made payable to Sacred Heart Centennial Celebration) to John D. Markey, 2936 N. County Road 2000, Dallas City, IL 62330.