About St. Mary of the Rosary · Chewelah, Washington
St. Mary of the Rosary is a Catholic parish in Chewelah, Washington, in Stevens County's northeastern corner, part of the Diocese of Spokane. It serves as the hub of the Catholic Parishes of South Stevens County, also including Holy Ghost (Valley), Sacred Heart (Springdale), and St. Joseph at Jump off Joe. Founded in 1885, the parish offers weekend and daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, sacramental preparation, faith formation for all ages, and outreach through ministries like PREPARES (free diapers) and a cemetery on Flowery Trail Road.
- Established
- 1885
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title Our Lady of the Rosary
- Rector
- Fr. Vincent Gilmore
- Diocese
- Diocese of Spokane
Why belong here
St. Mary of the Rosary is a welcoming country parish in the Diocese of Spokane that offers the full rhythm of Catholic life: weekend and daily Mass, weekly Friday Eucharistic Adoration, and regular Confession. Parishioners of every age are fed through Faith Night dinners and classes for adults, K-5, sacramental prep, and middle/high school youth (EDGE and Life Teen). A women's prayer group leads a monthly Rosary, and outreach through PREPARES brings free diapers to local families, giving visitors concrete ways to belong and serve.
Mass times at St. Mary of the Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM at St. Mary of the Rosary, Chewelah
- Saturday: 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM at St. Mary of the Rosary, Chewelah
- By appointment with Fr. Vincent — contact the office to schedule
Adoration times
- Friday: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM at St. Mary of the Rosary (begins immediately after 9 AM Mass)
History of St. Mary of the Rosary
St. Mary of the Rosary was founded in 1885 when a building purchased from local businessman C. H. Montgomery was remodeled into Chewelah's first Catholic Church under Father Aloysious Folchi. A 16-foot addition was added in 1901, and the present church was completed in 1909. The original frame structure was then converted into a school, and by 1926 a brick school — built on land donated by rancher James Monahan — was dedicated by Bishop William Mertz of Spokane. The school was staffed first by Franciscan Sisters, then Benedictine Sisters, and finally the School Sisters of Notre Dame until the Spokane Diocese closed it in 1969. In 1981 Pastor Father Bernard Berry refurbished the classrooms, and the parish later sold the historic school building, directing proceeds toward a new multi-purpose parish space.
- Founded 1885
- First church remodeled from a building purchased from C. H. Montgomery
- Present church completed 1909
- Brick school built 1926 on land donated by James Monahan
- School Sisters of Notre Dame taught 1936–1969; closed by Diocese in 1969
Pastor & Parish Staff
Fr. Vincent Gilmore has served as pastor of St. Mary of the Rosary and the Catholic Parishes of South Stevens County since April 2022. A native of the Tri-Cities, WA, he studied philosophy and theology at the Angelicum Pontifical University in Rome, was ordained in 1990, and spent more than 18 years teaching and administering Catholic high schools before parish ministry in Southern California and Holy Rosary Church in Edmonds, WA. He is supported by a small but committed lay staff.
- Fr. Vincent Gilmore — Pastor ([email protected])
- Kellie Trudeau — Director of Parish Life ([email protected])
- Jolene McGee — Business Manager
- Jackie Fuller — Office Assistant
- Josh Thom — Director of Music Ministries
- Matt Cobb — Maintenance Custodian
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Night is the parish's weekly Wednesday gathering for the whole family: a potluck at 6:00 PM followed by formation classes for all ages from 6:30–7:30 PM. Children in K-5 follow a weekly curriculum, while teens meet as EDGE (middle school, LifeTeen curriculum) or in the high school youth group. Adults join Father Vincent for an ongoing formation series.
- Faith Night: Wednesdays, potluck 6:00 PM, classes 6:30–7:30 PM
- K-5 Religious Education
- EDGE Middle School Ministry (LifeTeen curriculum)
- High School Youth Group
- Adult Faith Formation
Sacramental Preparation (OCIA & First Sacraments)
OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is open to older teens and adults seeking sacramental preparation or wanting to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith. For children, Sacramental Preparation is a two-year program beginning with Confirmation in Year 1 and First Communion in Year 2; children age 7 and older are eligible. The parish's sacramental-prep catechist is Jesseca Jeanneret, and Director of Parish Life Kellie Trudeau coordinates the program.
- OCIA for older teens and adults
- Two-year Sacramental Prep: Confirmation Year 1, First Communion Year 2
- Eligible for children age 7+
- Catechist: Jesseca Jeanneret
- Coordinator: Kellie Trudeau
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the Mass and the wider community through a range of liturgical ministries. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring the Eucharist to parishioners in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and private homes. Lectors proclaim the Scriptures, Altar Servers assist at the altar, Sacristans prepare the sacred vessels and linens and coordinate other liturgical ministries, and Musicians provide music at weekend Masses, holy days, weddings, funerals, and Reconciliation services.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (including visits to the homebound and care facilities)
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
- Sacristans
- Musicians / Music Ministry
Outreach & Prayer Groups
The parish serves the broader community through PREPARES, distributing free diapers to local families every second Thursday. A women's prayer group leads the Rosary at St. Mary's every third Tuesday at 1:00 PM, and all are welcome. Pastoral and Finance Councils guide the parish's mission and stewardship.
- PREPARES Free Diaper Distribution — every 2nd Thursday
- Third Tuesday Rosary at 1:00 PM
- Pastoral Council: Shirley Baker (Chair), Alexis Peters, Tony Hansen, Emily Garner, Jenn Dotts, Ron Christian
- Finance Council: Mary Schneiter (Chair), Dorothy Mohr, Don Mally
Catholic Parishes of South Stevens County
St. Mary of the Rosary leads a four-parish cluster covering Chewelah, Valley, and Springdale. Weekend and seasonal Masses are celebrated at each mission church, and parishioners are encouraged to support the cluster as one Catholic community.
- Holy Ghost — 3083 Hemlock St., Valley, WA (Sunday 8:00 AM)
- Sacred Heart — 110 S. Main Street, Springdale, WA (Saturday 5:30 PM)
- St. Joseph at Jump off Joe — 3150 Church Rd, Valley, WA (summertime Masses)
- St. Mary of the Rosary — 502 E. Main Avenue, Chewelah, WA
St. Mary's Cemetery
The parish maintains St. Mary's Cemetery at 2369 Flowery Trail Road, Chewelah, WA, serving Catholic families across South Stevens County.
- Address: 2369 Flowery Trail Road, Chewelah, WA
St. Mary's Pastoral Plan 2025-2030
The parish adopted a five-year Pastoral Plan on October 12, 2024, with an update on October 11, 2025. The plan reflects the parish mission: to welcome and accompany individuals and families, forming them into intentional disciples of Jesus Christ, faithful to the Gospel and the teaching of the Church, who live and spread the power of the Eucharist and the joy of the Gospel in their homes, Church, and world.
- Plan adopted October 12, 2024
- Plan updated October 11, 2025
Visit, Contact & Directions
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Mary of the Rosary by phone at 509-935-8028 or by email at [email protected]. The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The church sits five blocks east of the stoplight on Highway 395 in Chewelah, at 502 East Main Street. Donations may be made by check payable to the parish and mailed to PO Box 26, Chewelah, WA 99109. Sign-ups for parish email and text updates are available through the parish's Flocknote account.
- Office Phone: 509-935-8028
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Mailing: PO Box 26, Chewelah, WA 99109
- Flocknote: stmarychewelah.flocknote.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Aloysious Folchi1885-
Resident priest when Chewelah's first Catholic Church was remodeled from a building purchased from C. H. Montgomery.
- Fr. Joseph Stang1926
Resident priest when the brick school was built and dedicated by Bishop William Mertz.
- Fr. Bernard Berry1981
Refurbished the former school classrooms with drop ceilings and insulation.
- Fr. Stephen Booth
Listed as a past pastor in Washington corporate filings; previously served the cluster parishes.
- Fr. Tom Connolly
Listed as a past pastor in Washington corporate filings.
- Fr. Kenneth St Hilaire
Listed as a past pastor in Washington corporate filings.
- Fr. Victor Blazovich
Listed as registered agent / officer in parish's Washington nonprofit filings.
- Fr. Vincent Gilmore2022-present
Current pastor since April 2022; previously six years as Pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Edmonds, WA.