When German businessman Col. John G. Cullmann first settled in North Central Alabama in what is now the city and county that bears his name, he brought with him his rich German heritage. The early German immigrants who bought land and settled there needed ministry and the sacraments, and the German-speaking Benedictines answered that call.

From that call was born Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, established in April 1874 in a little log cabin building with no windows and split logs for pews. Today, 150 years later, Sacred Heart is a busy parish and a majestic beacon in the downtown area that welcomes visitors and parishioners alike.

The Sacred Heart Altar Society keeps a little bit of the church’s German heritage alive with its yearly Oktoberfest Dinner, held during the city’s Oktoberfest celebration each year. The dinner features a traditional German menu of bratwurst, German potato salad, sauerkraut, green beans, applesauce, bread, and a homemade dessert. The meat used in the dinner comes from Brickyard Meats in Cullman, which is owned by a family of the parish.

This year’s Oktoberfest Dinner will be held in the church’s Family Life Center on Wednesday, Oct. 2, beginning at 4 p.m. The dinners are available for dine-in or drive-through/take-out, and the cost of the dinner is $15.

Long-time Altar Society member Pat Arentz heads up the Oktoberfest dinner with the help of many volunteers from both the Altar Society and the parish.

“The recipes for our dinner have been handed down from generation to generation,” Arentz said. “Part of the fun is having so many people work together to make the dinner successful. We usually peel at least 300 lbs. of potatoes each year! We hope everyone will join us on Oct. 2 for this year’s dinner,” she added.

The Altar Society was started in 1912 when the Young Ladies Society and the Mother’s Club of the church merged. Since that time, all women of the parish are automatically members of the society. The purpose of the society is to ensure that the church’s altar, furnishings, vestments, and accoutrements are furnished and properly maintained. The society also fosters the church community by offering coffee and donuts monthly after Masses, Bunco Ladies Night Out once a month, visiting shut-ins, and sending cards for illness and bereavement for the parish.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church is located at 205 3rd Ave., S.E. For more information about the dinner, please visit sacredheartchurchcullman.org.