In the early 1900s, Carteret was an important community because of its waterfront and its roads leading inland. The development of industries in this area contributed to an influx of immigrants, among whom were people from Slovakia in Eastern Europe. Some came directly from Slovakia, others moved in from New York City and there were many who migrated from the mining areas in Pennsylvania. 

In May, 1910, Father Stephen Ulrich arrived in the Carteret area in order to organize the approximately 75 Slovak families who were already settled here. He conducted a census of these Slovak families as well as families of Hungarian ethnic background. That census is still preserved today in parish archives. Up to this time, the Slovak families were attending the Slovak Parish of Holy Trinity in Perth Amboy.  On June 10, 1910, Bishop James McFaul gave permission for the establishment of a parish to serve the spiritual needs of the Slovak families in Carteret. The name chosen for that parish was “Sacred Heart of Jesus”. Fr. Ulrich continued to serve the pastoral needs of the people until the early part of 1912. He lived in a house across the street from the original Holy Family Church and celebrated Mass for the Slovak families in Holy Family Church. He was followed by Father Francis Horvath who was appointed by Bishop McFaul as the first regular Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. 

Under Father Horvath’s guidance the grounds for the future Sacred Heart of Jesus Church were purchased and, with the permission of Bishop McFaul, the construction of the church on Fitch Street got underway in August of 1912. The cost of the construction was $8,200. While to us today this would seem to be very inexpensive for a church structure, this cost placed a tremendous challenge on the early parishioners but they responded to it with support and dedication. As a result, the church was consecrated by Bishop McFaul on July 13, 1913 and the First Mass in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church was offered on that day. Later that year the church bell was purchased and installed. Foreseeing that the parish would expand in the years ahead, Father Horvath purchased additional land adjoining the church and it was on that land that the rectory was erected in May of 1920. 

After many years of difficult labor and pastoral service, Father Horvath resigned as Pastor in April of 1922. He was succeeded by Father Honorat Rogovsky. During his pastorate, in addition to serving the pastoral needs of the growing parish, Fr. Rogovsky purchased additional lots on Sharot Street for the use of the parish. His pastorate ended in June of 1932. At that time Father Andrew Sakson was appointed to shepherd the expanding parish.

Father Sakson made various improvements to the structure of the church which was now about 20 years old. The wooden steps leading to the front door of the church were replaced with brick. The wooden floor of the church was replaced with tile and cushions were installed on all the kneelers. The original wooden Tabernacle was replaced with a stronger one made of steel. In 1935, brick veneer was applied to the rectory structure to give it more stability and insulation. A few years later a brick veneer was also applied to the exterior of the church. During the early years of the parish, religious instruction was provided to the youth by qualified church members. In October of 1940, Fr. Sakson received permission to establish a Catechetical School under the supervision of the Franciscan Sisters who were based in Pittsburgh, PA. The Sisters resided in a private home for several years until a house on Roosevelt Avenue, owned by Mrs. Helen Heil, was purchased and became the Convent. 

Father Ladislaus Petrick was appointed to succeed Father Sakson on March 23, 1948. Father Petrick organized an operetta which was held at the Carteret High School. He also turned his attention to continuing to make improvements to the church. He used the proceeds from the operetta to finance needed electrical repairs in the church. Later, the church sacristies were enlarged and additional room was created in the church basement for the parish’s use. The entire interior of the church was updated with new baseboard heating and both the interior and exterior were painted. A Shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary was also erected and it was blessed by Bishop George Ahr on August 15, 1954.

In September of 1959, Father Andrew Okal was appointed the 6th Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. The Sisters of St. Francis withdrew from the parish that year and were replaced by the Dominican Sisters from Media, PA who continued the work of catechetical instruction for youth of the parish. Father Okal expanded the rectory building and in 1962 oversaw a major renovation of the church’s interior: new altars and pews were installed; wooden carved statues were obtained from Italy and wooden Stations of the Cross were brought from Germany. The Church’s exterior was refinished. Further renovations were also made in 1966 to reflect the liturgical changes called for by the Second Vatican Council. The Dominican Sisters were withdrawn in 1968 and the task of catechetical instruction was once again taken up by qualified members of the parish. 

For 28 years Father Okal faithfully served the people of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. On December 10, 1987, the Lord called Father Okal back to Himself. Father Gerald Browne was appointed administrator of the parish and in February of 1988 he became the 7th Pastor. During his pastorate, Father Browne installed a new organ, heating system and sound system and restored the Stained-Glass Windows. He encouraged his parish family to support his efforts to reach out to the poor and destitute within the Carteret community. The parish jubilantly joined with him in celebrating his 25th anniversary of Ordination in May of 2006. In June of that year Father Browne was named Pastor Emeritus of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. He continued to serve the spiritual needs of the people until illness prevented him from further active ministry. Fr. Browne’s earthly pilgrimage ended on August 23, 2013.

When Father Browne became Pastor Emeritus, Bishop Bootkoski appointed Father Edmund Shallow, Pastor of Holy Family Parish as the 8th Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. Father Ed carried out further renovations and repairs in the Church and established both a Pastoral Council and a Council for Financial Affairs. In May of 2010, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish celebrated its 100th anniversary. Later that same month, at the conclusion of the study of the Catholic Western Rite Churches in Carteret, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Holy Family Parish and St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish were joined together to form the new Parish called Divine Mercy, officially established by Bishop Paul Bootkoski on May 13, 2010. Father Edmund Shallow was installed as the first Pastor on July 1, 2010 by Msgr. Robert J. Zamorski, Episcopal Vicar of Middlesex County. The Church continued to be used for weekend Masses until 2015. At that time, the church was closed. In May of 2018, the Diocese approved the sale of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church to a Catholic Eastern Rite community under the patronage of Christ the King.