About Our Lady of the Rosary · Lexington, North Carolina
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Catholic parish in Lexington, North Carolina, belonging to the Diocese of Charlotte. With more than 200 families representing a rich blend of races, ethnicities, and ages, the parish community traces its origins to 1944, when local Catholics were a tiny minority of Davidson County's population. Originally named Holy Rosary Parish, it was renamed Our Lady of the Rosary in 1981 and today offers three Sunday liturgies (one in English, two in Spanish), daily weekday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, an active Faith Formation program, and broad outreach to the wider Lexington community through Meals on Wheels, homeless ministries, and a Backpack Program for local schoolchildren.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Rosary
- Rector
- Reverend Oscar Danilo Benavides
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charlotte
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Rosary is a warm, growing parish of more than 200 families in Lexington, NC that welcomes everyone — across races, ethnicities, and ages — and offers the full sacramental life in both English and Spanish. Parishioners find rich community through the Liturgy/Worship, Faith Formation, Evangelization, Parish Life, Facilities, and Community Outreach Commissions, plus ministries like the Knights of Columbus, Our Lady's Guild, liturgical ministries, and a vibrant Hispanic community. The parish is known for its outreach — it helped found local Meals on Wheels, partners with First Hope Ministries homeless shelter, supports Alpha Pregnancy Support, runs a Backpack Program for Lexington and Davidson County students, and participates in Special Olympics. With daily Mass, frequent Adoration, regular Confession, and a deep devotion to the Rosary, it offers abundant ways to grow as a disciple of Christ.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00 – 7:00 pm
- Thursday 5:00 – 7:00 pm (no reconciliation on the last Thursday of each month)
- By appointment
- Special communal Reconciliation Service with multiple priests during Lent and Advent
Adoration times
- Friday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Tuesday 5:00 – 7:00 pm
- Thursday 5:00 – 6:30 pm (no adoration on the last Thursday of each month)
About Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Lexington, North Carolina is a bilingual parish of the Diocese of Charlotte made up of more than 200 families from a rich blend of races, ethnicities, and ages. The parish's motto, 'Together in Christ,' expresses its mission to build and deepen a sense of community among all parishioners through its many ministries, church unity events, discipleship, evangelization, and community outreach projects. Drawing on St. Paul's words — 'So we, though many, are one in Christ' (Romans 12:5) — the parish welcomes newcomers and long-time members alike into a community where 'church is not just something you go to…it's a family you belong to.'
- Diocese: Diocese of Charlotte
- Motto: Together in Christ
- More than 200 families
- Bilingual English/Spanish community
Parish History
The parish traces its origins to 1944, when local Catholics — fewer than 1% of Davidson County's 100,000 residents — gathered for Mass celebrated by Father Thomas of St. Edward's Parish in High Point. By November 1946, with about 15 Catholics in Lexington, Holy Rosary Parish was formally established. The parish grew through industrial expansion in the 1950s, built a new church dedicated in 1958, and was renamed Our Lady of the Rosary in 1981. The community's Hispanic ministry was born in 1999 with the first Spanish liturgy, and the parish has continued to grow under the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, the Missionaries of St. Paul, and now its current pastor.
- 1944: Mission established; Father Thomas celebrates Mass in his home
- 1946: Holy Rosary Parish formally established with ~15 Catholics
- 1958: Current church dedicated by Bishop Vincent Waters (45 families)
- 1977–78: Administration entrusted to Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
- 1981: Renamed 'Our Lady of the Rosary' under Father Travers, OSFS
- 1999: First Spanish Mass celebrated on September 16
- 2006: Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods arrive to minister
- 2016: Father Ambrose Akinwande, MSP, becomes Parochial Administrator
Rosary and Other Devotions
Devotional life at Our Lady of the Rosary centers on the Rosary, which is recited 30 minutes before every Saturday Vigil and Sunday Mass. The parish also observes Stations of the Cross during Lent, Novenas (including Our Lady of Perpetual Help), and sets up three prayer stations in the Parish Center every May.
- Rosary — 30 minutes before every Saturday Vigil and Sunday Mass
- Stations of the Cross in Lent — Friday 6:00 pm (English), 7:00 pm (Spanish)
- Novenas — dates announced in the bulletin and at Mass
- Prayer Stations in May (themes include Holy Spirit, Mary Undoer of Knots, and a children's station)
Sacraments
Our Lady of the Rosary celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, organized into the three traditional groupings: Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation), Sacraments of Healing (Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick), and Sacraments of Service (Matrimony, Holy Orders). Parents and couples are asked to contact the parish office well in advance for Baptism and Matrimony preparation.
- Baptism — 2 months advance notice; no Baptisms during Lent or Advent
- First Reconciliation — grade 2, after two years of instruction
- First Communion and Confirmation — preparation offered
- Matrimony — contact priest at least 6 months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick available
- Holy Orders: contact the parish office
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation Program at Our Lady of the Rosary is a traditional presentation of Catholic Christian Doctrine, aligned with the Diocese of Charlotte and the apostolic teaching and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. Volunteer catechists are qualified and certified through workshops sponsored by the Pastoral Leadership Council of the Diocese. Parents are reminded that they are the first teachers of their children in the faith.
- Grades 1–5 — Sundays 10:00 am – 11:15 am
- Grades 6–8 — Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:00 pm
- Confirmation Preparation — Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:00 pm
- Registration for 2025–2026 opened February 23, 2025
- Children must complete 1st grade to receive Reconciliation and Communion in 2nd grade
- Birth Certificate and Baptismal Certificate required at registration
Parish Ministries and Commissions
Our Lady of the Rosary lives its call to discipleship through six commissions and a wide range of ministries and organizations. Stewardship is described as 'a way of life' — accepting God's gifts of time, talent, and treasure, nurturing them, sharing them in service, and returning them with gratitude. Two primary councils — the Parish Pastoral Council and the Parish Finance Council — work with the pastor in a consultative capacity.
- Liturgy/Worship Commission
- Faith Formation/Education Commission
- Evangelization Commission
- Parish Life Commission
- Community Ministry/Outreach Commission
- Facilities Management Commission
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Parish Finance Council (Chair: Brandon Shriver; members: Orla Kelly-Rajan, Julian Mondragon, Troy Turnage)
- Our Lady's Guild (contact: Karen DuCharme, 336-798-7167)
- Knights of Columbus (contact: Jimmy Wooten, [email protected])
- Liturgical Ministers
- Greater Lexington Area Ministerial Association (GLAMA)
Hispanic / Spanish-Language Ministries
The parish's Hispanic community was born in 1999 with the first Spanish liturgy and has flourished ever since. Today the parish offers Spanish-language contact points for Eucharist, Liturgy, Ushers, Music, Altar Servers, the Virgen Peregrina, shelter outreach, events, welfare, and information — making it easy for Spanish-speaking parishioners to get involved.
- Representative: Donaciano Corona
- Eucaristía: Sonia Franco
- Liturgia: Rodrigo Yañez
- Ujieres (Ushers): Inés de la Cruz — 336-250-8401
- Música: Donaciano Corona — 336-470-7404
- Monaguillos (Altar Servers): Yasmin Velazquez — 336-300-3907
- Virgen Peregrina: María Gonzalez — 336-300-3501
- Albergue (Shelter): Agustina Gutierrez — 336-300-1067; Esperanza Benavidez
- Eventos: Angelica Badillo
- Bienestar (Welfare): Melida Cabrera / Rosa Savala
- Información: Pamela Mariano
Community Outreach
Our Lady of the Rosary plays an active role in serving the wider Lexington community. The parish was one of the founding organizations of Meals on Wheels in the area, and parishioners continue to volunteer their time to deliver meals to the aged, convalescent, and handicapped. Various church groups, including Faith Formation and the Youth Group, organize food and clothing drives throughout the year to support neighbors in need.
- Meals on Wheels — founding organization; parishioners deliver hot meals
- First Hope Ministries (homeless shelter) — assigned to supply sugar year-round; parishioners prepare meals and bring desserts
- Alpha Pregnancy Support — Baby Bottle campaign and annual second collection (Our Lady's Guild)
- Backpack Program — weekend food for students in Lexington City Schools and Davidson County Schools
- October coat, hat, and glove drive for the local homeless shelter
- Special Olympics — parish support
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by Pastor Reverend Oscar Danilo Benavides and supported by a small staff and the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils. The Pastoral Council published a strategic plan for 2024–2027, and a Communications Committee was formed in 2025 to strengthen parish communications.
- Fr. Oscar Benavides — Pastor
- Holly Turnage — Faith Formation Coordinator
- Maria Segura — Administrative Assistant ([email protected])
- Diane Kirkbride — Church Office Volunteer
- Parish Finance Council: Brandon Shriver (Chair), Orla Kelly-Rajan, Julian Mondragon, Troy Turnage
Visit, Contact, and Stay Connected
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at the church, parish center, and online. The parish uses multiple channels to keep its members informed, including the bulletin, Mass announcements, the website, a Parish App, the church calendar, email, posters in Rosary Hall, and its active Facebook page. Office hours are Tuesday–Thursday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and Friday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (closed Mondays and during weekday Mass 12:15–1:00 pm).
- Parish Church & Office: 619 South Main Street, Lexington, NC 27292 — (336) 248-2463
- Parish Center: 711 South Main Street, Lexington, NC 27292-3238
- Email: [email protected]; Fax: (336) 238-3241
- Office Hours: Tue–Thu 10:00 am – 3:00 pm; Fri 10:00 am – 12:00 pm; closed Monday
- Facebook: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church – Lexington, NC
- Communications via bulletin, announcements, website, Parish App, calendar, email, flyers, and Facebook
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Charles Coira (layman)1944
Catholic businessman who helped establish the original mission in Lexington.
- Father Thomas1944
Of St. Edward's Parish, High Point; celebrated Sunday Masses in his home.
- Father Cletus Helfrich1944–1946 (approx.)
Of Sacred Heart Parish, Salisbury; first assigned pastor, served about two years.
- Rev. Clarence Hill1952–1954
Guided the mission through a period of industrial growth and Catholic migration.
- Rev. Lawrence Hill1950s
Co-guided the parish during the 1952–58 growth period.
- Father James Keenan1958
Assigned pastor the year the new church was completed and dedicated.
- Father Robert Shea1963
Started the parish's annual Spaghetti Dinner to raise funds for stained-glass windows.
- Father Ron McLaughlin1966
Instrumental in forming a local Layman's Christian Council.
- Father Anthony Silvestri, OSFS1977
First Oblate of St. Francis de Sales pastor; acquired the mobile unit and brought in the Mary statue and Oblate crucifix.
- Father Joseph Travers, OSFS1978
Established the Parish Center at 711 South Main Street; changed parish name to Our Lady of the Rosary in 1981; built sacristy, altar, and pulpit.
- Father Joseph Schaefer, OSFS1988
Reversed the sanctuary, installed stained-glass windows, placed the Resurrected Christ statue.
- Father Richard Hanson1988
Assigned by the diocese when it took over parish administration.
- Father Joseph Kelleher1991
Diocese-assigned pastor.
- Father Albert J. Gondek, OSFS1998
Installed October 31, 1998 by Bishop Curlin when parish returned to Oblate administration; updated church and Rosary Hall, purchased parish house.
- Father Ambrose Akinwande, MSPJanuary 2016 – October 2017 (installed)
Became Parochial Administrator in January 2016; installed as pastor in October 2017.
- Father Sabastian Umouyo, MSP2021
Missionaries of St. Paul; followed Father Ambrose.
- Reverend Oscar Danilo Benavides
Current Pastor / Parochial Administrator.