About Our Lady of the Black Hills · Piedmont, South Dakota
Our Lady of the Black Hills is a Roman Catholic parish located at 12365 Sturgis Road in Piedmont, South Dakota, just northwest of Rapid City between Black Hawk and Piedmont off Interstate 90 Exit 48. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Rapid City and is pastored by Fr. Andrzej Wyrostek, who was ordained in the diocese in 2000 and has served the parish since 2016. Its mission is 'to proclaim the joy of the Gospel to all creation and to transform lives with the Father's Mercy,' and it operates as a Stewardship Parish where faith formation classes and sacramental prep are offered at no cost to parishioners.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- Our Lady (the Blessed Virgin Mary), under the title Our Lady of the Black Hills
- Rector
- Fr. Andrzej Wyrostek
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rapid City
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Black Hills is a Stewardship Parish where faith formation and sacramental prep are offered at no cost, making it easy for busy families to bring their children into the life of the Church through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, YDisciple small groups, and traditional classes. Adults can grow through OCIA (Becoming Catholic), multiple weekly Bible studies, and small groups, while the parish gathers around weekday and weekend Mass, hours of Eucharistic Adoration, and beloved traditions like the Knights of Columbus monthly breakfast, the Divine Mercy Novena, and the annual parish feast day celebration of the Nativity of Mary.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Black Hills
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 5:30–6:30 PM
- Saturday: 3:30–4:30 PM
- First Saturday: 7:30–8:00 AM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM
- First Saturday: 8:30–9:30 AM
Welcome and Parish Mission
Our Lady of the Black Hills is a Catholic community rooted in faith, dedicated discipleship, and generous hospitality, located in Piedmont, South Dakota, between Black Hawk and Piedmont northwest of Rapid City. The parish's mission is 'to proclaim the joy of the Gospel to all creation and to transform lives with the Father's Mercy.' Under the leadership of Fr. Andrzej Wyrostek, the parish has set three pastoral priorities — Evangelization, Stewardship, and Social Justice — and four core values: Mercy, Evangelization, Stewardship, and Social Justice. As a Stewardship Parish, OLBH offers faith formation and sacramental preparation at no cost to parishioners.
- Mission: proclaim the joy of the Gospel and transform lives with the Father's Mercy
- Three-year pastoral priorities: Evangelization, Stewardship, Social Justice
- Core values: Mercy, Evangelization, Stewardship, Social Justice
- Operates as a Stewardship Parish
History of Our Lady of the Black Hills
Catholic life in Piedmont began in the 1880s with Masses said by traveling priests in settlers' homes, with the first written record of services in the November 25, 1904 Rapid City Daily Journal. In 1916, an Elkton farmer pledged $500 in memory of his wife Mary, and the Catholic Church Extension Society connected the community with Bishop John Lawler to build St. Mary's at the corner of Park and Second on donated land. The present church, named Our Lady of the Black Hills by parishioner vote, was built in 1979 on land donated by Richard and Heloisa Burns in memory of Richard's mother, with Bishop Harold Dimmerling's approval and volunteers doing much of the work; the parish was debt-free by 1985 and celebrated its centennial with Bishop Robert Gruss in 2016.
- 1880s — traveling priests say Mass in settlers' homes along Elk Creek
- 1904 — first written record: confirmations at the French District school house
- 1916 — St. Mary's Catholic Church built on donated land at Park and Second
- 1979 — new church built; parish renamed Our Lady of the Black Hills by parishioner vote
- 1985 — parish becomes debt-free
- 2016 — Centennial celebrated with Bishop Robert Gruss and Fr. Andrzej Wyrostek
Campus Improvements and Renovations
Each decade has brought visible additions to the OLBH campus, from liturgical furnishings to accessibility upgrades and a working prayer garden. Key moments include the 2005 brass and Crazy Horse granite altar, ambo, and baptismal font; the 2010 prayer garden with outdoor Stations of the Cross and a Marian grotto; the 2017 narthex lift for accessibility; and 2024's enshrinement of the Infant Child of Prague and new Stations of the Cross painted by artist Terry Nelson.
- 2005 — new altar, ambo, baptismal font (brass and Crazy Horse granite); Blessed Sacrament chapel, holy family shrine, confessional
- 2010 — prayer garden and patio, outdoor Stations of the Cross, Marian grotto
- 2011 — purchase of home behind church for new rectory; old rectory becomes St. Joseph Hall
- 2013 — Memorial to the Unborn added to the prayer garden
- 2014 — granite monument added to Memorial to the Unborn
- 2017 — narthex lift installed for accessibility
- 2018 — garage of former rectory converted to meeting space and indoor storage
- 2019 — interior and exterior security cameras added
- 2022 — sound system updated; cameras added at the baptismal font
- 2023 — staff computers replaced; Icon of Mary by Terry Nelson installed; rectory water softener; Parish Hall kitchen ventilation repaired
- 2024 — Infant Child of Prague enshrined; new Stations of the Cross by Terry Nelson; nursery, St. Joseph's Hall, bathrooms, classrooms, and common areas renovated; air purifiers added
- 2025 — church and narthex repainted with back beam exposed; tabernacle restored at the altar on Easter
Faith Formation for Children and Youth
OLBH is a Stewardship Parish, so PreK–6 faith formation and sacramental prep are available at no cost. The program offers the Montessori-style Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) for ages 4–12, with time in the 'Atrium' for tactile prayer, plus traditional book-led classes using Sophia Institute curriculum for grades 4–6. Class times include Wednesday early (4:30–5:45 PM), Wednesday late (5:45–7:30 PM), and Sunday (9:30–10:45 AM, CGS I & II only). Childcare is provided for catechists and adults attending formation.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — levels I, II, III for ages 4–12 (Montessori hands-on approach)
- Traditional Faith Formation — grades 4–6 with Sophia Institute curriculum
- First Communion and Reconciliation prep
- Wednesday early: 4:30–5:45 PM
- Wednesday late: 5:45–7:30 PM
- Sunday: 9:30–10:45 AM (CGS I & II only)
- Childcare provided for catechists and adults
- Text OLBHFAITH to 81010 for weather/closure updates via Remind
YDisciple: Middle and High School Ministry
YDisciple is a small-group format for 8th–12th graders to grow in faith socially and engagingly with mentor adults. Students and mentors meet in homes near the church on Wednesdays from 6:15–7:30 PM, with curriculum available on olbh.formed.org.
- Grades 8–12 small-group ministry
- Wednesdays 6:15–7:30 PM in homes near the church
- Curriculum accessible on olbh.formed.org (search 'YDisciple')
- Contact the parish office at 605-787-5168 to register
Adult Faith Formation and Bible Studies
Adults at OLBH can grow through OCIA (Becoming Catholic) and a rotating menu of small-group Bible studies throughout the year. OCIA meets Sundays 9:15–10:45 AM in St. Joseph's Hall beginning September 14, and is open to inquirers, those seeking baptism or confirmation, and Catholics wanting to learn more. There is no obligation to join the Church.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) — Sundays 9:15–10:45 AM in St. Joseph's Hall (upstairs)
- Early Bird Bible Study — Mondays 7:30 AM in the library, led by Duane Riedlinger
- 'Just Men' Bible Study — Thursdays 9 AM in St. Francis (downstairs, back-door entry), led by Dave Allardyce
- Sunday Scripture Study — Thursdays 9 AM in the parish hall; women study the Gospel of John with the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible; led by Barb Landers, Laura Kelso, Pamela Weaver
- Wednesday Bible Study — 4:30–5:45 PM in St. Joseph's Hall, led by Shawna Hanson
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Anyone interested in the Catholic faith, in receiving the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, Eucharist), or in deepening their Catholic understanding is welcome to attend OCIA weekly education and faith-sharing. Sessions meet Sundays from 9:15 to 10:45 AM in St. Joseph's Hall. There is no obligation to become Catholic — visitors are warmly invited to attend and learn more. Contact the parish office at 605-787-5168 with questions.
- Sundays 9:15–10:45 AM in St. Joseph's Hall
- Begins September 14
- Open to inquirers, those seeking baptism/confirmation, and lifelong Catholics
- Contact 605-787-5168 for information
Sacraments
OLBH prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven sacraments. Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Funerals each have their own preparation path; First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation flow through the parish's formation programs. The parish also welcomes those seeking marriage validation (convalidation) and pre-planning of funerals.
- Baptism — infant through age 7 by arrangement; Baptism class required; children over age 7 go through RCIC/RCIA
- First Communion and Reconciliation — prepared through PreK–6 Faith Formation
- Confirmation — prepared through 7–Adult Faith Formation (Angela Hart, Coordinator)
- Marriage — six months' notice to Fr. Andrzej; FOCCUS inventory, Christian Family Planning Seminar, Engaged Encounter 'Heart to Heart', and Living a Joy-Filled Marriage sessions with sponsor couple
- Marriage Validation (convalidation) — contact Fr. Andrzej for details
- Anointing of the Sick — request through the parish office (after-hours emergency number on voicemail)
- Funerals — coordinated with the family and funeral home; pre-planning available; cremation guidelines provided
Parish Staff
OLBH is served by a pastor and team of permanent deacons, plus lay staff leading liturgy, formation, evangelization, finances, and facilities.
- Pastor — Fr. Andrzej Wyrostek (ordained Diocese of Rapid City, June 2000; serving OLBH since 2016)
- Deacon Walt Wilson — Retired
- Deacon John Osnes
- Deacon Greg Sass
- Deacon Phillip Thompson
- Lorraine Rieth-Ptacek — Director of Liturgy & Music
- Lorinda Collings — Bookkeeper
- Mary Marich — Coordinator of Faith Formation, PreK–6
- Angela Hart — Coordinator of Evangelization & Grade 7–Adult Faith Formation
- Todd Phillipe — Maintenance
- Chloe Allen — Housekeeping
- Katie Harwood — Manager & SEC
Parish Feast Day — Nativity of Mary
Our Lady of the Black Hills celebrates its parish feast day annually on or near September 8, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary — the church's patroness. The celebration runs from morning Masses through a 3 PM rosary and pie social, lunch, kids' activities, and an evening street dance by the Knights of Columbus, and is intended as a day of prayer, fellowship, and thanksgiving for the parish family.
- Saturday Vigil Mass at 5 PM
- Sunday Masses at 8 AM and 11 AM
- Adoration between Masses
- 3 PM Rosary & Pie (bring a pie to share)
- Lunch main course by Knights of Columbus (bring a side or to share)
- Train rides, bounce house, and kids' activities
- Street Dance by the Neilan's, A Family Affair DJ Service
Getting Involved — Ministry and Volunteering
All parish ministries and their descriptions are listed in the parish Ministry Guide. Parishioners are encouraged to prayerfully consider sharing their time and talent in formation, hospitality, music, outreach, or one of many other roles; volunteers can sign up through the parish scheduling site or by contacting the parish office.
- Review the parish Ministry Guide for a full directory of ministries
- Sign up to volunteer via the parish scheduling site
- Contact the parish office at 605-787-5168 for upcoming scheduling needs
Location, Contact, and Visiting
Our Lady of the Black Hills is located northwest of Rapid City, South Dakota, between Black Hawk and Piedmont — just west of Interstate 90 Exit 48 at 12365 Sturgis Road in Piedmont, SD 57769. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3 PM and can be reached at 605-787-5168 or [email protected]. A lift in the narthex (installed 2017) provides accessibility to both levels of the church.
- Address — 12365 Sturgis Road, Piedmont, SD 57769
- Phone — 605-787-5168
- Email — [email protected]
- Office Hours — Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Located just west of I-90 Exit 48, between Black Hawk and Piedmont
- Narthex lift installed in 2017 provides accessibility to both levels