About Holy Rosary · Moxee, Washington
Holy Rosary Parish is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in the small rural community of Moxee, Washington, in the Diocese of Yakima. Serving about 500 families, it offers Mass in both English and Spanish, with devotions such as the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and a vibrant youth group. The parish, originally dedicated as 'Our Lady of the Holy Rosary' in 1900, blends a deep French-Canadian heritage with a growing Hispanic community, creating a unified family of faith in the Yakima Valley.
- Established
- 1900
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
- Rector
- Rev. Jaime Chacon
- Diocese
- Diocese of Yakima
Why belong here
Holy Rosary is a small, rural parish where newcomers are quickly known by name, in the tradition of its founding French-Canadian families and now its growing Hispanic community. Bilingual Masses, ongoing faith formation for First Communion and Confirmation, an active youth group for ages 14 and up, a 100-year-old parish cemetery, and beloved traditions like the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the annual parish bazaar all make it a true family home in the Yakima Valley.
Mass times at Holy Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM (Diocese lists 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM)
- Other times by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 8:30 AM – 5:15 PM (Diocese lists 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM)
About Holy Rosary Parish
Holy Rosary Parish in Moxee, Washington, is a bilingual Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Yakima. Pastor Rev. Jaime Chacon extends a personal welcome to every visitor: 'You are invited to enter this Church not as a stranger, but as a guest of God.' The parish blends a French-Canadian heritage dating to the 1890s with a vibrant Hispanic community, offering Mass in English and Spanish and ministries for every age.
History & Heritage
Catholic missionaries first came to the Yakima Valley in the mid-1800s. French-Canadian settlers arrived in the 1890s and, on March 21, 1900, dedicated the first church of 'Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.' A school staffed by the Sisters of Providence opened in 1915, the present church was dedicated in 1951, and the parish school closed in 1968 (the building burned in 1974). The Oblates of Mary Immaculate staffed the parish for 35 years, followed by a succession of diocesan priests.
- Founded 1900 (first church dedicated March 21, 1900)
- Holy Rosary School opened 1915, closed 1968, building destroyed by fire 1974
- Present church dedicated 1951
- Served by Oblates of Mary Immaculate for 35 years
- French-Canadian founders; French used in parish records through the 1930s
Pastor and Pastoral Leadership
The parish is currently served by V. Rev. Jaime Chacon, pastor. Father Chacon writes the parish's About Us greeting inviting visitors and parishioners alike to enter the church 'as a guest of God.' The Diocese of Yakima directory confirms him as pastor and lists the parish contact number (509) 453-4061.
- Rev. Jaime Chacon — Pastor
Faith Formation & Sacraments
Religious Education is a central part of parish life. Registration for first-year First Communion and Confirmation classes is held each summer (July 2 – August 22) at the parish office. Classes are bilingual, reflecting the parish's dual English- and Spanish-speaking communities.
- First Communion preparation (bilingual)
- Confirmation preparation (bilingual)
- Registration window: Tuesday–Thursday, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, July 2 – August 22
- Contact: (509) 453-4061
Youth & Family Life
Teens ages 14 and up are invited to the Holy Rosary Youth Group, which meets Tuesdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM for activities, snacks, prayer, community, and fellowship. The annual Parish Bazaar (held in early November) is a beloved tradition of food, raffles, silent auctions, and fellowship that draws together families from across the valley.
- Holy Rosary Youth Group — Tuesdays 6:00–8:00 PM (ages 14+)
- Annual Parish Bazaar — November 3rd (raffles, silent auctions, food, fellowship)
Devotions & Prayer
Beyond Mass and Adoration, the parish gathers for the Chaplet of Divine Mercy on the last Friday of each month at 3:00 PM, prayed bilingually in the church. The Hispanic community keeps the tradition of the Novena of the Virgin of Guadalupe, helping pass Marian devotions to younger generations.
- Chaplet of Divine Mercy — last Friday of each month, 3:00 PM (bilingual)
- Novena of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Hispanic tradition)
- Thursday Eucharistic Adoration — 8:30 AM – 5:15 PM
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Active parish groups include the Knights of Columbus, the Ladies of St. Anne, the Religious Education team, and parish volunteers who care for the cemetery. These groups have been a backbone of parish life for decades and welcome new members.
- Knights of Columbus
- Ladies of St. Anne
- Religious Education team
- Cemetery care ministry
Parish Cemetery
Holy Rosary maintains a three-acre parish cemetery within about a mile of the church, over 100 years old and resting place for many founding French-Canadian families. Parishioners have stepped in during difficult moments — for example, when a high water table required relocating some graves — and the cemetery remains a place of pilgrimage for descendants who return to visit, especially during the annual Hop Festival.
- Three-acre parish cemetery, over 100 years old
- Within ~1 mile of the church
- Burial site for many founding French-Canadian families
- Listed separately in the Diocese of Yakima directory as Holy Rosary Cemetery
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly invited to Mass, devotions, and parish events. The parish office can be reached by phone or email for inquiries about sacraments, funerals, cemetery plots, or faith formation.
- Address: 201 N. Iler St., Moxee, WA 98936
- Mailing: P.O. Box 279, Moxee, WA 98936
- Phone: (509) 453-4061
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: holyrosarymoxee.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Oblates of Mary Immaculate (pastors for 35 years)
Religious order that staffed the parish for three and a half decades following the 1951 church dedication.
- Father John Shaw
One of the more recent pastors after the Oblates era.
- Father Frederick Brenner
Served as pastor in the post-Oblate period.
- Father Francis Smith
Served as pastor in the post-Oblate period.
- Msgr. Edmond McGrath
Served as pastor in the post-Oblate period.
- Father William Gallagher
Served as pastor in the post-Oblate period.
- Father Thomas Lane
Served as pastor in the post-Oblate period.
- Father John Murtagh2004–
From County Sligo, Ireland. Served as pastor from 2004; noted for his outgoing, accessible pastoral style with both Hispanic and Anglo communities.
- Rev. Jaime Chaconcurrent
Current pastor; referred to as V. Rev. Jaime Chacon on the parish's About Us page.