Sacred Heart Church, named by a Montreal Bishop who made a substantial contribution to the building fund, was built in 1887 at 2nd Avenue and Battle Street. Father Jean Marie Le Jeune celebrated first Mass in the new Church in December 1887. In 1889, Father J.A, Bedard, OMI was named first resident pastor and the church community was thriving.

In 1919, during March 5th Ash Wednesday service, the wood frame church burned to the ground. No one was hurt but only a few vestments were saved. Services were held at St. Ann’s and surrounding community halls. Father A Madden was the force behind building a new Sacred Heart Church at the present site, opening in December 1925. The altar was made of carrara marble, shipped from Italy. This altar still graces the Cathedral today. Father Madden also established the Catholic Women’s League in 1927, which stills add much to the spirit of the parish. Father McCullough (1939-1941) was the last Oblate to serve Sacred Heart Parish.

In December of 1945, the new Diocese of Kamloops was formed. In March of 1946, Bishop Edward Quentin Jennings was named as the first Bishop of Kamloops. Sacred Heart Church was then elevated to Cathedral status. The administrative structure remains the same as it was established by Bishop Jennings. In 1952 Bishop Jennings was appointed to Thunder Bay and Bishop Michael Alphonsus Harrington was named his successor. In 1963, St. Ann’s was named a parochial school attached to Sacred Heart Cathedral. In 1970 due to budget restraints St. Ann’s high school was closed.

In 1973, under the direction of Father John Mclntyre, an addition was erected to Sacred Heart Cathedral increasing the seating from 300 to 420. Bishop Harrington passed away in 1973. In 1974, Bishop Adam Exner was installed as Bishop of Kamloops. Bishop Exner left in 1982 to become Bishop of Winnipeg. Prior to his departure, His Excellency Bishop Exner reactivated St. Ann’s high school under the mantle of the Christian Brothers of Ireland.

In 1982, Bishop Lawrence Sabatini was installed as the fourth Bishop of Kamloops. Bishop Sabatini served until 1999 when he retired and moved back to the United States. The Diocese of Kamloops was without a Bishop for two years but Father Jeremiah (Jerry) Desmond (now Monsignor) was appointed as Diocesan Administrator to fulfill the duties of a Bishop until Bishop David Monroe was appointed in March of 2002. Father Dale Normandeau served as rector until his departure in October 2004.

Father Derrick Cameron served the needs of the Cathedral until 2011 when he went to Williams Lake and Father Andrew L’Heureux came to Kamloops. Then, new assignments came into place and Father Derrick became a Rector in August 2017 and is serving the Sacred Heart Cathedral community until this day.