About St. Rose of Lima · Hillsboro, North Dakota
St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church is a rural parish of the Catholic Diocese of Fargo located in Hillsboro, North Dakota, serving approximately 180 families in the Hillsboro Faith Community. The parish shares its pastor with the nearby parish of St. William of Norwich in Argusville, and its weekend Masses alternate between the two towns by month. The current church building, in use since 1979, was designed with the harsh Northern Plains climate in mind and features solid-oak furnishings crafted in North Dakota, with a chapel that preserves stained glass and devotional items from the original 1890s-era church.
- Established
- 1891
- Patron
- St. Rose of Lima (of Peru)
- Rector
- Msgr. Dennis Skonseng
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fargo
Why belong here
St. Rose of Lima is a thriving rural faith community of about 180 families that takes its mission of 'helping bring the Hillsboro community to Christ through Prayer, Sacrament, and Charity' seriously. Parishioners can attend weekday Mass four days a week, gather for a Men's Group on Wednesday mornings, pray Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesday evenings, and join faith-formation programs for every age. The parish shares its priest and Sunday Mass schedule with St. William of Norwich in nearby Argusville, so visitors are warmly welcomed across both communities and can plug into ministries like RCIA, faith formation, liturgical ministries, and outreach to the Hillsboro Nursing Home.
Mass times at St. Rose of Lima
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM (odd months, when Mass is at 8:30 AM)
- By appointment — call 701-636-4541
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (before 7 PM Mass)
Parish History
The community's Catholic roots go back to the 1880s. From 1884 to 1892, Hillsboro Catholics had 'station' status, with the first Masses celebrated at the home of John Carmody twice a month. In 1891–92, land was purchased and a wood-frame church built; the parish was officially founded under the patronage of St. Rose of Lima of Peru and dedicated in 1893 by Bishop John Shanley of Fargo. The parish was incorporated in 1895 and was served by priests from Reynolds until Father John Koelman became its first resident pastor in 1915.
- 1884–1892: 'Station' parish; Mass at John Carmody's home
- 1891–92: Land purchased, wood-frame church built; parish founded
- 1893: Church dedicated by Bishop John Shanley of Fargo
- 1895: Parish incorporated under Bishop Shanley, Rev. Thomas Egan, Rev. Edward J. Conaty, John Carmody, James Burke
- 1914–15: New church and rectory built under Fr. John Koelman
- 1915: Fr. Koelman becomes first resident pastor
- 1941: New foundation and east-facing vestibule added (seating ~250)
- 1961: Fr. Ludwig becomes pastor
- 1977: Parish begins planning a new church and rectory
- July 9, 1978: Ground broken
- June 3, 1979: New cornerstone inserted; Bishop Driscoll officiates
- July 20, 1979: Old church building sold; Mass in social hall for 6 weeks
- September 2, 1979: First Masses in the new church
The 1979 Church Building & Chapel
The present church was deliberately built adjoining the existing Catechetical Center to take advantage of the facilities already there, and special care was taken with insulation, heating, and cooling for the Northern Plains climate. The sanctuary seats about 250 with expansion room for another 100. Pews and altar furniture, including a large crucifix, are solid oak manufactured in North Dakota, and the Corpus on the crucifix is preserved from the previous church. The chapel, in particular, is furnished and decorated with pieces from the old church, including the stained-glass window of St. Rose of Lima that appears on the parish website banner.
- Sanctuary seating: ~250, expandable to ~350
- Solid-oak pews, altar furniture, and crucifix (made in North Dakota)
- Corpus on crucifix from previous church
- Stained-glass windows in chapel: St. Rose of Lima, Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, Sts. Patrick and Boniface, St. Ann, St. John the Baptist, the Eucharist, Sacred Heart
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Rose of Lima offers Mass six days a week. Saturday Vigil Mass is at 5:00 PM at Hillsboro, and Sunday Mass alternates between Hillsboro and nearby Argusville's St. William of Norwich — 8:30 AM in odd months at Hillsboro (with Argusville in even months) and 10:30 AM in even months at Hillsboro (with Argusville in odd months). Weekday Masses are Tuesday at 7:00 PM, Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 8:30 AM, with coffee and rolls after the Thursday morning Mass. Friday Mass is celebrated at the Hillsboro Nursing Home at 9:30 AM. Parishioners are directed to the Parish Calendar and Bulletin for weekday Masses, movable feasts, and Holy Days of Obligation, which can vary from the normal schedule.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM (Hillsboro)
- Sunday: 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM (alternating months between Hillsboro and Argusville)
- Tuesday: 7:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM
- Thursday: 8:30 AM (coffee and rolls follow)
- Friday: 9:30 AM at Hillsboro Nursing Home
- Holy Days: Mary Mother of God (Jan 1), Epiphany, Ascension, Corpus Christi, Assumption (Aug 15), All Saints (Nov 1), Immaculate Conception (Dec 8), Christmas (Dec 25)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Rose of Lima maintains a Director of Religious Education ([email protected]) who coordinates religious education for parish children. The parish partners with St. William of Norwich in Argusville as part of the Hillsboro Faith Community, sharing resources and programming across both towns. Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation is offered, along with ongoing faith formation; families are encouraged to contact the parish office at (701) 636-4541 for current program schedules and registration.
- Director of Religious Education (DRE) leads faith formation programs
- First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Hillsboro Faith Community collaboration with St. William of Norwich (Argusville)
Becoming Catholic (RCIA / OCIA)
Adults interested in joining the Catholic Church or completing their initiation sacraments are welcomed through the parish's RCIA/OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process. The parish website directs inquirers to contact the parish office for details on inquiry sessions, sponsor support, and the rite of election schedule within the Diocese of Fargo.
- RCIA / OCIA inquiry and formation for adults
- Contact: parish office at (701) 636-4541
Hillsboro Faith Community & Sister Parish
St. Rose of Lima is part of the Hillsboro Faith Community and shares pastoral resources with St. William of Norwich in Argusville. The pastor, Msgr. Dennis Skonseng, serves both parishes, and Sunday Masses alternate monthly between Hillsboro and Argusville so each community has regular access to a Sunday Mass. Together, the two parishes collaborate on faith formation, ministries, and shared events.
- Hillsboro Faith Community
- Shares pastor with St. William of Norwich (Argusville)
- Sunday Masses alternate monthly between Hillsboro and Argusville
Parish Staff & Contact
The parish is led by Pastor Msgr. Dennis Skonseng, who can be reached at [email protected] or by calling the parish office at (701) 636-4541. Parish Secretary Leo Paintner assists with parish administration ([email protected]), and a Director of Religious Education ([email protected]) coordinates faith formation. The website is maintained by [email protected]. The parish encourages support of Real Presence Radio to help Catholics learn about, practice, and defend the faith.
- Pastor — Msgr. Dennis Skonseng ([email protected])
- Secretary — Leo Paintner ([email protected])
- Director of Religious Education — [email protected]
- Webmaster — [email protected]
- Real Presence Radio recommended for ongoing Catholic formation
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Priests from Reynolds1895-1915
Served the mission parish from Reynolds before St. Rose had a resident pastor.
- Father John Koelman1915-
First resident pastor of St. Rose of Lima; supervised construction of a new, larger church and rectory in 1914-15.
- Fr. Ludwig1961-
Became pastor in 1961; raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of the original church and rectory that led to the 1979 building project.
- Father Caseythrough ~2022
Served St. Rose of Lima for ten years before being reassigned to St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Larimore.
- Msgr. Dennis Skonseng2022-
Arrived June 29, 2022 after 12 years at St. Catherine of Alexandria in Valley City; previously served as a substitute priest at St. Rose for one month in 1982.