About Holy Rosary · Rosenberg, Texas
Holy Rosary Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Rosenberg, Texas, located at 1416 George Street, and part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Founded in 1911 by Czech and German immigrants, it is the oldest Catholic parish in Rosenberg and is now served by Fr. Orrin Halepeska. The parish operates Holy Rosary Catholic School (pre-K through 8th grade) and a mission church, St. Wenceslaus in Beasley, and gathers a diverse, multi-generational congregation for Mass, adoration, and a wide range of lay ministries. Its mission statement reads: 'The mission of Holy Rosary Parish, through our Blessed Mother, is to join together in love through our belief in Jesus Christ.'
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary)
- Rector
- Rev. Orrin Halepeska
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
Holy Rosary is a large, historic parish that still feels like a close family, anchored by its 1954 Late Gothic Revival sanctuary, an on-site Catholic school (pre-K through 8), and a wide bench of lay ministries for every age and stage of life — from Music, Youth, and Children's Ministry to Men's, Women's, Faith Formation, Liturgical Ministry, Vacation Bible School, and RCIA/OCIA for those becoming Catholic. Daily and Sunday Masses are offered in English (with Spanish noted on registration), confession is scheduled before each Sunday Mass, and adoration is held weekly, making it easy to build prayer into a busy week. As pastor Fr. Orrin Halepeska puts it, the parish is 'growing and has many moving parts that make us an even more dynamic community,' inviting every household to share its time, talent, and treasure.
Mass times at Holy Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:30 am
- Sunday 11:00 am
- Other times by appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:30 pm
- Wednesday 1:00–8:00 pm
Welcome from the Pastor
Fr. Orrin Halepeska greets visitors with a warm invitation to 'pray, worship, and serve this local Church' and to 'come and enjoy our very diverse and active community.' He encourages newcomers, families, and singles alike to dive deeper in their faith and to get involved in a parish ministry, with his staff ready to help connect anyone who calls the office at 281-342-3089. His stated theme for the parish is 'Let's Grow Together,' and he highlights a Family Life Minister focused on supporting families and a Youth Minister building out ministry for the parish's young people.
Mission, Patron, and Identity
Holy Rosary takes its name from the Holy Rosary, the Marian devotion traditionally attributed to St. Dominic in the 13th century that meditates on the Mysteries of Christ's and Mary's life. The parish's own statement of identity is concise: 'The mission of Holy Rosary Parish, through our Blessed Mother, is to join together in love through our belief in Jesus Christ.' A large statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands on the campus and was added in 1986, and the sanctuary's stained-glass windows depict the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
- Patron: Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (Feast day October 7)
- Parish mission rooted in Marian devotion and unity in Christ
History of Holy Rosary Parish
Holy Rosary traces its origins to a 1895 land donation by Arabella 'Anna' Dorigan and was formally founded as the first Catholic parish in Rosenberg in 1911. Two earlier sanctuary buildings preceded the present church — a 1912 wooden church destroyed by fire in 1923, and a 1926 brick Spanish Mission-style church that served until the 1950s. The current Late Gothic Revival sanctuary was designed by Dallas architect Mark Lemmon, dedicated May 16, 1954, and is supported by a community founded largely by Czech and German immigrants.
- 1895 — Arabella Dorigan donates two lots to the Diocese of Galveston
- 1907 — First documented Mass in Rosenberg
- 1911 — First resident priest assigned; first parish Mass October 5, 1911, in the Gray Building
- 1912 — Original wooden church dedicated; bell tower added 1913
- 1922 — Craftsman-style brick rectory built
- 1923 — Original wooden church burns
- 1926 — New 250-seat Spanish Mission-style church dedicated
- 1953 — Cornerstone laid for new church (September 13)
- 1954 — Current 750-seat Late Gothic Revival church dedicated May 16 ($460,000)
- 1957 — Attached rectory completed
- 1986 — Large statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary added to the site
- 2011 — Texas Historical Commission marker erected
Architecture and Historic Significance
The present sanctuary is a three-story Late Gothic Revival church in cruciform plan, clad in Arkansas buff brick, limestone, and slate. It features cast stone tracery, buttresses, a steeply pitched cross-gabled roof, pointed-arch entries with elaborate limestone ornamentation, pointed-arch stained-glass windows depicting the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, and a 75-foot bell tower with pinnacles. The interior retains pointed arches, a vaulted ceiling, painted plaster walls, marble altars, and largely original woodwork. The design is derived from Lemmon's earlier Highland Park United Methodist and Highland Park Presbyterian churches in Dallas. The building has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C in Architecture.
- Architect: Mark Lemmon, Dallas
- Style: Late Gothic Revival
- Capacity: 750
- Construction cost (1954): $460,000
- 75-foot bell tower with pinnacles
- Stained-glass windows of the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
Parish Ministries and Getting Involved
Holy Rosary offers a wide range of ministries that span the spiritual, family, and service life of the parish. Newcomers can sign up for ministries through the parish registration form. Pastoral leadership also includes a Pastoral Council and a Stewardship Committee to help parishioners share their time, talent, and treasure.
- Music Ministry
- Men's Ministry
- Women's Ministry
- Faith Formation
- Youth Ministry (Rebecca Paredez)
- Children's Ministry
- Vacation Bible School
- Liturgical Ministry
- Family Life Ministry
- RCIA / OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
- Pastoral Council and Stewardship Committee
- General volunteering
Sacraments
Holy Rosary prepares and celebrates the standard Catholic sacraments for parishioners. The parish registration form specifically asks about Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation for each head of household, indicating an active sacramental life. Those interested in becoming Catholic are welcomed into the RCIA / OCIA process, which meets Saturdays at 5:30 PM. Couples, families, and individuals are encouraged to contact the parish office for information on celebrating Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and other sacraments.
- Baptism
- First Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- RCIA / OCIA for adults (Saturdays at 5:30 PM)
- Anointing of the Sick available through the parish office
Holy Rosary Catholic School
Holy Rosary Catholic School has served parish families since the 1930s and shares the parish campus at 1416 George Street. The school is fully accredited and offers pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, with a mission 'Grounded in our Catholic Faith and focused on academic excellence, Holy Rosary Catholic School educates the whole child — mind, heart, and spirit.' It admits students of any race, color, age, or national origin and adheres to the policies of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The school has its own website, social channels, and admissions process, and offers tuition assistance and scholarship opportunities (including the ACE Texas Scholarship).
- Grades served: Pre-K through 8th
- Fully accredited; follows Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston policies
- Non-discriminatory admissions policy
- Tuition assistance and ACE Texas Scholarship program
- Distinct mission: mind, heart, and spirit
Mission Church: St. Wenceslaus, Beasley
Holy Rosary Parish includes St. Wenceslaus in Beasley, Texas as a mission church. Together with Holy Rosary Catholic Church and Holy Rosary Catholic School, St. Wenceslaus forms part of the unified parish family that Fr. Halepeska describes in his welcome.
- St. Wenceslaus Catholic Mission — Beasley, TX
- Pastored from Holy Rosary, Rosenberg
Clergy and Staff
The parish is pastorally led by Fr. Orrin Halepeska, supported by a small lay staff handling music, youth ministry, office administration, and facilities. New parishioners and visitors are invited to contact the office for help getting connected to a ministry or activity.
- Rev. Orrin Halepeska — Pastor
- Gerry Barrera — Music Ministry
- Rebecca Paredez — Youth Minister
- Cara Bryan — Office Manager
- Michelle Manukonda — Office Clerk
- Joe Wiley — Bookkeeper
- James Pietsch — Maintenance
Visit, Contact, and Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors can reach Holy Rosary by phone at 281-342-3089 or by contacting the pastor directly at [email protected]. The parish office at 1416 George Street is open Tuesday through Thursday mornings and afternoons; the office is closed Mondays and Fridays. Online giving and parish registration are available through the parish website.
- Phone: 281-342-3089
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1416 George Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471
- Office hours: Tue 8–11 am & 2–5 pm; Wed & Thu 8 am–12 pm & 1–5 pm; closed Mon & Fri
- Online giving and new-parishioner registration available on the website