About Our Lady of the Rosary · Louisburg, North Carolina
Our Lady of the Rosary is a Catholic parish of the Diocese of Raleigh serving Franklin County, North Carolina, from its church at 2227 Highway 39/401 North in Louisburg. It is led by Reverend Edward Tembo, C.I.C.M., of the Missionhurst CICM Missionaries, alongside Deacon Patrick (Pat) McIlmoyle, and as of 2025 has grown to more than 600 registered households. The parish celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish each week, runs an active outreach program (including a food pantry serving 150 families and a summer Migrant Ministry), and is described on its own site as a 'vibrant, Spirit-filled parish' that welcomes long-time Catholics, newcomers, returning faithful, and the simply curious alike.
- Established
- 1999
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Rosary (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Reverend Edward Tembo, C.I.C.M.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Rosary is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Catholic community that combines reverent liturgy with a strong tradition of service to Franklin County — feeding 150 families a month through its food pantry, tutoring local elementary and middle-school students, supporting the homebound and bereaved through pastoral care, and walking with migrant farm workers each summer. With more than 600 registered households worshipping in a church the community built itself in 2015, it offers newcomers, returning Catholics and lifelong faithful a place to encounter Christ through the Sacraments, Scripture, prayer, and warm fellowship.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 6:00 PM
- Thursday 11:15 AM
- Saturday 4:00 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:00 PM (Holy Hour)
- Thursday 11:15 AM (Holy Hour)
- First Fridays 7:00 PM (Holy Hour; bilingual per Diocese of Raleigh)
- First Fridays 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Adoration, bilingual)
About Our Lady of the Rosary
Our Lady of the Rosary is a Catholic parish of the Diocese of Raleigh serving Franklin County, North Carolina, from its church on Highway 39/401 North in Louisburg. The parish describes itself as 'a vibrant, Spirit-filled parish where all are invited to encounter Jesus Christ through Scripture, the Sacraments, prayer, and community life.' Its four-fold emphasis is inspiring worship, faith formation for all ages, active ministries that put faith into practice, and community life through events and fellowship. As of 2025 the parish has more than 600 registered households.
- Diocese of Raleigh parish
- Currently pastored by Rev. Edward Tembo, C.I.C.M. (Missionhurst)
- Deacon Patrick (Pat) McIlmoyle serves alongside the pastor
- Bilingual: English and Spanish liturgies each week
- 600+ registered households (2025)
History of the Parish
Catholic life in Franklin County began in the 1940s with itinerant missionary priests teaching the Rabil children and saying Sunday Mass in their living room. After St. Catherine of Siena Church opened in Wake Forest, local Catholics drove there or to Henderson for Mass until 1966, when Mass began at Louisburg College. In 1999, Bishop Joseph Gossman appointed Sister Elizabeth Bullen, IHM, as pastoral administrator and the mission took the name Our Lady of the Rosary, meeting in a rented school cafeteria on West River Road. After moving in 2007 to a former dance studio at 460 Fox Park Road, the parish was assigned to the Missionhurst C.I.C.M. Missionaries in 2011. Bishop Michael Burbidge broke ground for a permanent church on March 7, 2014, and the new church was dedicated in 2015.
- 1940s: first Masses in the Rabil family living room
- 1966: first Mass at Louisburg College; Sunday Mass in Louisburg paused 1985–1993
- 1999: name 'Our Lady of the Rosary' adopted; Sr. Elizabeth Bullen, IHM, appointed pastoral administrator
- 2007: community moves to 460 Fox Park Road (former dance studio)
- 2011: Missionhurst C.I.C.M. Missionaries assigned by Bishop Burbidge
- 2014: groundbreaking for new church (March 7)
- 2015: new church dedicated on Highway 39/401 N
Past Priests
The parish lists several CICM priests who have served Our Lady of the Rosary, beginning with the assignment of the Missionhurst Missionaries in 2011.
- Sister Elizabeth Bullen, IHM — pastoral administrator from 1999
- Rev. Johannes Raharjo, CICM
- Rev. Ryan Carnecer, CICM (resident priest at the time of the 2014 groundbreaking)
- Rev. Marlee Abao, CICM
- Current pastor: Rev. Edward Tembo, C.I.C.M.
Outreach Ministries
Outreach at Our Lady of the Rosary is rooted in the parish's belief that 'living our faith means extending Christ's love and compassion beyond the walls of our parish.' Through acts of charity, mercy and justice, volunteers serve both within the parish family and in the wider Franklin County community.
- Food Pantry — serves approximately 150 families in Franklin County
- Tutoring for elementary and middle-school students
- Outreach Program for individuals in need
- Coordination with Volunteers in Medicine
- Summer Migrant Ministry for farm workers
- Visiting the sick and those in crisis
Hispanic Ministries
Our Lady of the Rosary describes its Hispanic community as 'vibrant and growing' and a vital expression of faith, culture and unity within the parish. Hispanic Ministries foster spiritual growth, community involvement and a deep sense of belonging for Spanish-speaking individuals and families.
- Spanish-language Masses and sacraments
- Religious education and sacramental preparation for children and adults
- Faith formation and Bible study groups
- Liturgical ministries in Spanish (music, lectors, Eucharistic ministers)
- Celebrations of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Las Posadas and Día de los Muertos
- Community outreach and support for migrant families
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care ministries offer spiritual, emotional and practical support to parishioners and their families in times of illness, loss, hardship or transition. Trained ministers and volunteers extend the compassion of the parish community to those in need.
- Homebound Ministry — brings Holy Eucharist, prayer and companionship to those unable to attend Mass
- Hospital & Care Facility Visits — comfort, prayer and the sacraments to the sick and recovering
- Bereavement Support — walking with families through loss
- Prayer Ministry — lifting up the needs of parishioners
Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Council serves as a voice for the parish community, working closely with the pastor to support the mission and growth of Our Lady of the Rosary. Council members meet every third Wednesday of the month to discuss parishioner suggestions, concerns and needs, and to help plan parish events.
- Meets third Wednesday of every month
- Reviews suggestions, concerns and needs from parishioners
- Plans and supports parish events (festivals, yard sales, Valentine's Couple celebrations, etc.)
- Helps with hospitality for special events
Office and Staff
Behind every vibrant parish is a team that keeps the day-to-day life of the Church running smoothly. The parish office staff supports the spiritual mission of the Church through administrative gifts and quiet dedication.
- Answering calls and greeting visitors
- Managing schedules and coordinating ministries
- Preparing the parish bulletin
- Maintaining parish records
- Helping families schedule baptisms and other sacraments
Visit, Contact and Getting Involved
The parish warmly invites newcomers, returning Catholics and the simply curious to reach out. Office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM; the office is closed Sunday and Monday. People can call, email or stop by, and anyone who feels called to share time, talent or resources is invited to explore the parish's ministries.
- Worship address: 2227 Hwy 39/401 N, Louisburg, NC 27549
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 593, Louisburg, NC 27549
- Phone: (919) 340-0556
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.catholicolr.org/
- Office hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (closed Sunday and Monday)
- Sunday 10:00 AM Mass livestreamed on Facebook
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Sister Elizabeth Bullen, IHM1999–
Pastoral administrator appointed by Bishop Joseph Gossman; the community took the name 'Our Lady of the Rosary' under her leadership.
- Rev. Johannes Raharjo, CICM
Listed among past priests of the parish during the Missionhurst assignment.
- Rev. Ryan Carnecer, CICM
Resident priest in the early Missionhurst years; quoted at the groundbreaking on the new church in 2014.
- Rev. Marlee Abao, CICM
Listed among past priests of the parish during the Missionhurst assignment.