The second mayor of Mansfield, Joseph Nugent, built this house in the early 1890’s. Nugent was a teacher in Dallas County before moving to Tarrant County where he taught for about twelve years and opened a private school in Mansfield. He later taught at the Mansfield Male and Female College. The Victorian character of the dwelling has been maintained over the years through numerous additions and modifications. 

Jonathan and Sally Hart purchased the home in 1920 and the Hart family maintained residences in the home for many years. In 2006, the Hart family deeded the house to St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Over the next two years, the house was restored by an all-volunteer workforce. In December of 2008, the work was completed and the house became the rectory for St. Jude’s and home for the parish priest. 

The house is a registered Mansfield Historic Landmark.