Sacred Heart was established as a parish in 1969, but traces its history in Bradenton to the late 1800s. The church, renovated in 2009, serves the Catholic community of downtown Bradenton. It offers mass in both English and Spanish, as about one-third of its 600-person congregation is Hispanic. It also caters to a small Haitian and Peruvian population from the surrounding community.
The church hosts Knights of Columbus meetings and youth programs for high schoolers. Its grounds also houses Our Lady of Guadalupe's Grotto, a tranquil spot where parishoners can pray the Rosary on Monday and Wednesday evenings. The congregation is led by Father Salvator M. Stefula, T.O.R.