Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

Parish History

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary was erected as a new parish by Bishop Gerald T. Daly of the Diocese of Des Moines in May 1955. The community grew out of a small Catholic mission in Pacific Junction whose church was too small. Parishioners bought land from Mrs. Wright on what is now Marian Avenue in Glenwood and built a metal building where Fr. O.L. Kaufman celebrated the first Mass on Christmas Eve 1955 with about 20 families. Groups formed to clean and maintain the building, and an annual parish dinner quickly became tradition. In 1961 more land was acquired from Mrs. Wright to accommodate growth.

• Founded 1955 by Bishop Gerald T. Daly, Diocese of Des Moines
• First pastor: Rev. O.L. (Othma) Kaufman, who chose the parish's name
• First Mass: Christmas Eve 1955, ~20 families, in a metal building
• First trustees: John Bricher and Fred Edwards
• First baptism: Mark Douglas Shelberg
• First communion class: 9 children including Rosemary Dragaer and Thomas Fauquier
• First wedding: Ferdinando Linza and Alvina Decker
• First funeral: Sarah Ann Moore
• First Extraordinary Ministers: Marvyn Fernald, Cletus Lepeska and Richard Maiers

Buildings, Campus & Bell Tower

Over the decades the parish campus has grown from a single metal church into a full parish complex. A new church building was constructed in 1984 during the pastorate of Fr. Paul Monahan. In 2002 the parish added an Education Center, expanded the offices, renovated the chapel, and at last erected the long-awaited bell tower. Adjacent to the church is the Meditation Garden built by the Knights of Columbus, with the Stations of the Cross as its devotional center.

• New church constructed in 1984
• Education Center, office expansion and chapel renovation in 2002
• Bell tower completed in 2002
• Meditation Garden & Stations of the Cross built by the Knights of Columbus
• Kaufman Hall on campus for parish dinners and gatherings

Parish Staff & Clergy

The parish is led by Fr. Daniel (Dan) Siepker, pastor since 2013 and granted a six-year extension of tenure in 2025. A lay staff and a deacon assist with the parish's ministries, formation programs, finances, and the on-site Montessori preschool. (Rev. Mr. Ronald Kohn serves as a deacon of the parish community.)

• Fr. Daniel Siepker — Pastor (since 2013)
• Rev. Mr. Ronald Kohn — Deacon
• Cathy Evans — Office Manager
• Ronda Greiner — Bookkeeper
• Janet Lunning — Montessori Preschool Directress
• Bailey Sanders — Youth Faith Formation Director

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Holy Rosary maintains a parish-based Religious Education program for its youth, directed by Bailey Sanders. Children gather for classroom catechesis and sacramental preparation, while adults seeking to join or return to the Church are welcomed into RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).

• Youth Faith Formation (Director: Bailey Sanders)
• Religious Education program for parish youth
• RCIA for adult converts
• Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation

Holy Rosary Montessori Preschool

Operated on the parish campus, Holy Rosary Montessori is a carefully prepared Christian learning environment that uses authentic Montessori materials and methods. Although rooted in the parish community, the preschool is non-denominational and welcomes children of all faith traditions. The program is designed for children three to five years of age.

• Director: Janet Lunning (state teaching certificate + Montessori teaching certificate)
• Ages 3–5
• Licensed by DHS (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services)
• Teacher Associate in each class
• $13 per session
• Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00–11:00 a.m. and Mon/Tue/Thu 12:00–3:00 p.m.
• Promotes independence, collaboration, problem-solving, self-confidence, patience, life skills, and respect

Parish Organizations & Service

Two long-standing fraternal and service organizations call Holy Rosary home. The Knights of Columbus council, chartered in 1975, has a strong record of parish and community service and built the parish's Meditation Garden. The Catholic Daughters of the Americas court was established in 2000. The parish also partners with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Des Moines for outreach opportunities including community gardens and the food pantry.

• Knights of Columbus (est. 1975) — service, fellowship, built the Meditation Garden
• Catholic Daughters of the Americas (est. 2000)
• Pastoral Council
• Support for Catholic Charities (community gardens, food pantry, Emergency Family Shelter)

Parish Mission Statement

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary parishioners see themselves as a family of Catholic believers who have a unique relationship with God, with Mary His Mother, and with each other. This relationship is expressed in Sunday Eucharist and the celebration of the other sacraments, strengthened through individual and communal prayer, nourished by the study of scripture and Religious Education programs, solidified by social activities, and perpetuated by financial commitment. As a family they proclaim and live the gospel, ministering to their own members, to anyone searching for a relationship with God, to those who are oppressed, to the local ecumenical community, the Diocese of Des Moines, and the Roman Catholic Church at large.

Visit & Contact

The parish welcomes visitors and new parishioners. Weekend Masses are the easiest times to join the community; Saturday confession is available before the vigil Mass. The parish office can be reached by phone or email during the week.

• Address: 24116 Marian Avenue, Glenwood, IA 51534
• Phone: (712) 527-5211
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.holyrosaryglenwood.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glenwoodholyrosary/
• Diocese of Des Moines: https://www.dmdiocese.org/