About Holy Rosary · Springfield, Kentucky
Holy Rosary Church (formally Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary) is a small African-American Catholic parish in Springfield, Kentucky, established in 1929 as a mission of St. Rose Parish and raised to canonical parish status in 1973. Pastored by Dominican friars and home to roughly 250 registered families — many of them multi-generational — it carries on a deep Black Catholic legacy in rural Washington County through the sacraments, the Knights and Dames of St. Peter Claver, a women's club, and its famous annual homecoming picnic.
- Established
- 1929
- Patron
- Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
- Rector
- Rev. Pier Giorgio Dengler, O.P.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
Holy Rosary is one of the historic African-American Catholic parishes of central Kentucky and welcomes anyone seeking a small, family-style sacramental community rooted in the Dominican tradition. Weekly Mass, regular Reconciliation, active lay organizations (the women's club and the Knights and Dames of St. Peter Claver), and the legendary homecoming picnic each August make it a place where generations worship side by side.
Mass times at Holy Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays — 6:00 p.m.
- Sundays — 9:30 a.m.
History of Holy Rosary Parish
Holy Rosary traces its origins to 1929, when African-American Catholics in Springfield — who had worshipped at St. Rose for a century — built their own church west of town with the help of St. Dominic and St. Rose Parishes. The church of Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary was formally dedicated on April 26, 1930 as a mission of St. Rose Parish. Arson destroyed the building in November 1933; parishioners and friends rallied to rebuild it, and Archbishop John Floersh dedicated the present structure on August 14, 1934. Holy Rosary became a canonical parish in 1973.
- 1929 — parish established west of Springfield
- April 26, 1930 — formal dedication as mission of St. Rose
- November 1933 — arson destroys the original church
- August 14, 1934 — Archbishop John Floersh dedicates the rebuilt church
- 1973 — Holy Rosary becomes a canonical parish
Dominican Heritage & Pastoral Leadership
Holy Rosary has been served by Dominican friars (Order of Preachers) for most of its history. Father L.L. Bernard, O.P., vicar for Holy Rosary, acted essentially as pastor for over thirty-five years and built parish pride through self-help projects and athletic competition. The parish continues in that tradition under Dominican leadership today.
- Father L.L. Bernard, O.P. — vicar/pastor for 35+ years
- Rev. Kevin McGrath, O.P. — pastor of St. Rose and Holy Rosary (mid-2010s)
- Rev. Pier Giorgio Dengler, O.P. — current pastor
Holy Rosary School (1934–1966)
Dominican Sisters opened a Catholic elementary school on the parish grounds in 1934. From its three classrooms, two generations of students were prepared for life and responsibility around the world. The school closed in 1966; the men's club later added two rooms for religious education on an adjacent lot.
- 1934 — Dominican Sisters open Holy Rosary School
- Three classrooms
- 1966 — school closes; men's club later builds religious education rooms nearby
Worship & Sacraments
Sunday Mass is the heart of parish life, with a Saturday vigil and a Sunday morning celebration. Reconciliation is offered before each Mass. Holy Day schedules are listed in the bulletin. Sarah Smith serves as Director of Worship and the parish is served by music ministers James and Jane Gerton.
- Mass: Saturday 5:00 p.m. (vigil), Sunday 10:00 a.m.
- Reconciliation: Saturday 6:00 p.m., Sunday 9:30 a.m.
- Holy Days: see bulletin
- Director of Worship: Sarah Smith
- Music Ministers: James and Jane Gerton
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education for children is coordinated by Parish Catechetical Leader Pamela Grundy. Two rooms added by the men's club on the adjacent lot serve as classrooms for faith formation.
- Parish Catechetical Leader: Pamela Grundy
- Religious education rooms on adjacent lot (built by the men's club)
- Children's faith formation continues the parish's legacy of Dominican catechesis
Parish Life, Organizations & Annual Homecoming
With fewer than 300 registered parishioners, Holy Rosary keeps a tight-knit, family-style community alive through lay organizations and a famous annual gathering. The Knights and Dames of St. Peter Claver and a women's club remain active, and parishioners take leadership roles in Church, civic, and community organizations.
- Women's Club
- Knights and Dames of St. Peter Claver
- Annual Homecoming Picnic — first Saturday in August
- Picnic features Mass at 5:00 p.m., dinner 4:00–8:00 p.m., raffle, cake wheel, games
- Picnic attracts visitors from about thirty states
Facilities & Accessibility
The parish sits at 378 Rosary Heights Road in the Briartown community west of Springfield. An elevator installed in 2001 made the church accessible to all, and the men's club added two rooms for religious education on the adjacent lot. Note that the parish mailing address (P.O. Box 146) differs from its physical location.
- 378 Rosary Heights Road, Springfield, KY 40069-1567
- Mailing: P.O. Box 146, Springfield, KY 40069-0146
- Elevator installed in 2001
- Religious education rooms on adjacent lot
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, fax, or email. The parish is listed on the Archdiocese of Louisville website and maintains a Facebook page with updates on Mass, events, and the homecoming picnic.
- Phone: (859) 336-3898
- Fax: (859) 336-3893
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: archlou.org/parishes/holy-rosary-springfield/
- Facebook: facebook.com/holyrosaryspringfield/
Office & Staff
Day-to-day parish operations are handled by a small staff team supporting the Dominican pastor.
- Office Manager: Mary Grace Lewis
- Bookkeeper: Marda Weakley
- Parish Catechetical Leader: Pamela Grundy
- Director of Worship: Sarah Smith
- Music Ministers: James and Jane Gerton
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father L.L. Bernard, O.P.c. 1930s–early 1970s
Dominican vicar for Holy Rosary who acted essentially as pastor for over thirty-five years; fostered parish pride through self-help and sports.
- Rev. Kevin McGrath, O.P.mid-2010s
Listed as pastor of both St. Rose and Holy Rosary churches in Springfield in 2017 Record coverage of Dominican Sisters events.
- Rev. Pier Giorgio Dengler, O.P.
Current pastor per the Archdiocese of Louisville parish page; Dominican friar continuing the parish's longstanding Dominican pastoral tradition.