Sacred Heart Statue Linked to Blessed McGivney Finds New Home in Terryville

A statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, believed to have been purchased by Blessed Michael J. McGivney in the 19th century, has been placed outside Immaculate Conception Church in Terryville. The statue was discovered in storage this past spring and has since been mounted on a rebuilt pedestal on the right side of the church.

A historical ledger maintained by McGivney includes an 1886 entry stating he purchased a Sacred Heart statue for the church. McGivney served as pastor of St. Thomas Church in Thomaston from 1884 until 1890, a position that included the Immaculate Conception Mission. The mission and St. Thomas Church are now part of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish.

Archbishop William Lori, the supreme chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, blessed the statue this past June. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882 while serving as parochial vicar at St. Mary Church in New Haven.