Clergy

Pastor: Rev. Pier Giorgio Dengler, O.P.
Associate Pastor: Rev. Charles C. Mungai, F.M.H.

Pastoral Staff

An asterik by staff’s name indicates that he or she is a volunteer and cannot be routinely reached at the parish office. For questions about this area of ministry, please contact the parish office.)

Parish Catechetical Leader: Pamela Grundy
Director of Worship: Sarah Smith*
Music Ministers: James and Jane Gerton*
Bookkeeper: Marda Weakley
Office Manager: Mary Grace Lewis

Mass Schedule

Sundays — Sat evening: 5 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m.
Holy Days — See bulletin

Reconciliation

Saturdays — 6:00 p.m.
Sundays — 9:30 a.m.

History

After a century of integrated worship at St. Rose, the threat of violence forced the African-American Catholics in Springfield to build a church of their own. With the cooperation of St. Dominic and St. Rose Parishes in Springfield, a new church was established west of Springfield in 1929. On April 26, 1930, the church of Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary was formally dedicated as a mission of St. Rose Parish.

Father L.L. Bernard, O.P., vicar for Holy Rosary, acted essentially as pastor for over thirty-five years. He fostered parish pride through self-help and through sports competitions. Dominican Sisters opened an elementary school in 1934. From its three classrooms, two generations of students went forth, well prepared to assume responsibility anywhere in the world. In 1966, the school closed.

Arson destroyed the church in November 1933. Reconstruction began immediately with the great effort of parishioners and the help of friends. Archbishop John Floersh dedicated the present church on August 14, 1934. Holy Rosary became a canonical parish in 1973.

An elevator installed in 2001 made the church accessible to all.  The men’s club added two rooms for religious education on an adjacent lot.

Today Holy Rosary Parish is working to continue its strong African-American Catholic legacy. Down to less than 300 parishioners—generational African-American families and several others— the feel of “family” still permeates this parish where mutual care and sacramental life labor to live and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A women’s club and the Knights and Dames of St. Peter Claver still continue to provide outstanding service as parishioners take leadership in Church, civic, and community organizations. The annual homecoming picnic, held the first Saturday in August, attracts thousands of people from thirty states.