About Holy Rosary Church of Holy Family Parish · Galveston, Texas
Holy Rosary Catholic Church is one of the six churches that form Holy Family Catholic Parish in Galveston, Texas, and one of the first African American Catholic parishes in Texas. It grew from a school begun by Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher in 1886 and has been a resilient home of Catholic faith, education, and community life for Galveston’s Black Catholics for well over a century. Its current Sunday Mass is celebrated at 9:00 a.m., with a Saturday vigil at 5:00 p.m. and a Monday Mass at 7:00 a.m. Today Holy Rosary continues to honor its legacy through vibrant worship, parish organizations, choir, and outreach rooted in the works of mercy.
- Established
- 1888
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
- Rector
- Fr. Jude Ezuma
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
Holy Rosary offers a warm, resilient community that has lived the Gospel with joy for generations, providing vibrant liturgy, a beloved choir, active parish organizations, and a deep commitment to justice and the works of mercy.
Mass times at Holy Rosary Church of Holy Family Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Beginnings in Faith and Education
- Bishop Nicholas Gallagher opened Holy Rosary School in 1886 for Black Catholic children
- Dominican Sisters staffed the school amid local opposition
- Mass was first offered in the school in 1888, marking the parish’s birth
- Fr. Philip Keller, a German priest committed to the Black apostolate, became the first resident pastor in 1889
Growth and Trials
- The Sisters of the Holy Family took over the school in 1898
- The 1900 Galveston hurricane tested but did not destroy the parish
- The Josephite Fathers assumed pastoral care in 1913
- The parish moved to its present location at 31st and Avenue N in 1914
Building a Community
- New convent, school, and rectory were built in the mid-20th century
- Parish leaders engaged in the Civil Rights Movement
- Holy Rosary Parish Credit Union was chartered in 1972
- Deacon Richard Haller and Deacon Douglas Matthews were ordained from the parish
Faith Through Fire and Renewal
- A 1975 fire damaged parish buildings
- The school closed in 1979 after 81 years on that site and 93 years of service overall
- Buildings were repurposed as a Women’s Crisis Center and Early Childhood Center
- Father Ivan Cormac Marsh, a parish son, was ordained a priest in 1980
Honoring the Legacy
- Texas Historical Marker dedicated in 2017
- Statue of St. Peter Claver dedicated in 2024
- Oldest statue of St. Martin de Porres in North America treasured by the parish
- Krewe D’Esprit Rosaire celebrates the parish’s culture and faith
Today and Tomorrow
- Holy Rosary became part of Holy Family Parish in 2009
- Continues Sunday Mass and Monday Mass for the community
- Active parish organizations, choir, and works of mercy
- Recognized by the Galveston Daily News as a Best Place to Worship in 2024 and 2025