priests

There were three pastors that first came to Sacred Heart. Little is known about the three priests, besides that they were from different countries. After the English pastor, Father Daine (1882-85) came a Frenchman, Father Lanier (1885-94) who rebuilt the Old Lodi church after it had been destroyed in a storm. The third was an Italian priest, Father Vento.

The next pastor of the parish would be one of the most important and interesting. Father Zarb was born on the island of Malta and ordained a priest in 1886. He served in Gibraltar for twelve years. He was made priest of Sacred Heart Church in 1898 when he was 36 and was priest for the next 41 years.

	This is a picture of Father Zarb's residence and the church.
	Father Zarb's beautiful garden.
	Father Peter Zarb
	This is how the old church looked in 1883.
	The church building looks much like this today, although the surrounding area has changed.

Photo number 1 is courtesy of Wilson County Historical Commission and Emergency Management Service. Photo numbers 2-5 are from the book, History of Sacred Heart Parish: (Powers,William History of Sacred Heart Parish 1982.)