Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church
Lexington NC

In January of 1944, Holy Rosary Church in Lexington was one of two Catholic Churches in Davidson County.  At that time, there were 100,000 people in the county with less than one percent of the population being Catholic. 

The earliest known resident Catholics who came to Lexington in 1917 were Mrs. J.V. Brown and family, a few years later to be joined by Mrs. Sylvia Leake Marsh and Mr. J. Lance Crump. 

Prior to 1944, local Catholics traveled old Route 29 to worship at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury.  In that year a mission was established through the efforts of Charles Coira, a Catholic businessman.  Sunday Masses were celebrated in his home at 117 West Second Avenue, Lexington, by Father Thomas of St. Edwards Parish in High Point.  Later in April of that year, Lexington became a mission of Sacred Heart Parish in Salisbury and was yet unnamed.  Father Cletus Helfrich of Sacred Heart Church was assigned pastor and conducted services for about two years. 

When there were approximately 15 Catholics in Lexington in November of 1946, Holy Rosary Parish was formally established. 

A house and property was purchased from Dr. Cathell at 619 South Main Street, which was renovated for the use as a Church and Parish House. 

Father D. Edward Sullivan was the first resident priest to serve the small Catholic Community in Lexington and serve the Catholics of Asheboro as a mission.  Father Sullivan, Catholics and non-Catholics worked to renovate the house.  Included in the renovating were pews and a portable altar purchased in Chapel Hill from Military surplus.  The porch railing was converted into an altar rail. 

In 1950, Father Peytus from Christ the King Parish in High Point came to conduct a small African American Catholic Mission in the Ideal Funeral Home where 12 people attended; among them was Miss Pauletto Thomas. 

In June of 1951, Father Hugh Kennedy was assigned to Pastor Holy Rosary.  Thomasville was added as a mission to Holy Rosary when Ashboro established its own parish.  From 1952-1954, Father Clarence Hill served as Pastor.  In 1954 the African Catholic Mission was discontinued and the membership was brought into Holy Rosary.  In 1954, Father Clarence Hill’s twin brother Lawrence Hill was assigned to succeed his brother as pastor. 

By the mid fifties, the facilities of the parish had become inadequate.  Construction of a new church and adjoining parish house was begun in September of 1957 with financial aid from the parishioners, the Ix Foundation and the Extension Society.  The construction was completed during Holy Week of 1958 and dedicated by the Most Reverend Bishop Vincent L. Waters on July 16, 1958. 

In 1958 Father James Keenan was assigned pastor.  During this time,

• Mocksville became a mission of Holy Rosary and
• Thomasville became a mission of Immaculate Heart of Mary, High Point.

 In 1962, Miss Pauletto Thomas became Sister Mary Paul, OP, a Dominican nun. 

Father Robert Shea was assigned pastor in 1963.  It was at this time that the Spaghetti Dinner was started to raise money for the Church—to purchase stain glass windows for the Church.  The first dinner was held at the Lion’s Den on Carolina Avenue.  It proved so popular with the community, that it became an annual event. 

In 1966 Father Ron McLaughlin was assigned pastor.  There was, at this time a great deal of racial tension and unrest.  Father McLaughlin was instrumental in forming Layman’s Christian Council. The goal of the Council was to join lay people from most of the black and white local Churches.  They met monthly at the First Presbyterian Church to resolve the many issues at that time. 

In 1979, a separate rectory was build behind the church.  The rooms adjoining the Church, which was formerly the rectory, were converted into office space.   In 1977, the Church was updated to meet the requirements of Vatican II.  Holy Rosary was established in the Diocese of Charlotte. 

In 1977, Father Anthony Silvestri, an Oblate of St. Francis DeSales was named Pastor.  At that time a mobile unit was purchased to accommodate the many activities of the parish.  A statue of Mary was erected on the front lawn and a crucifix from the Oblate Seminary was given for the sanctuary. 

In June of 1978, the Swink property, located directly behind the rectory, was purchased and later exchanged for the Allen property on 7^th Street, which is located behind the VFW, in order to create parking spaces. 

The Altar and Rosary Society was formed and a very popular Christmas bazaar was born and supported by the Lexington Community, which became an annual event helping to defray the expenses of the parish. 

The parish is also blessed with two native sons who were ordained to the priesthood, namely Fathers Wilbur Thomas and John Greer. 

Oblate Father Joseph Travers became pastor in 1978.  During his pastorate a building on 7^th Avenue east was purchased and used temporarily for Religious Education Classes until another building was purchased –711 South Main which was renovated to accommodate classroom space for Faith Formation, kitchen and storage.  The building was named Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Center. 

In 1981, the Parish Church had the title changed, which became known as Our Lady of the Rosary instead of Holy Rosary.  Father Travers added another building to the Church, which is presently the sacristy.  He also constructed the altar and pulpit that is currently being used. 

In 1988, Father Joseph Schaefer, an Oblate, was assigned as pastor.  Under his tenure, the sanctuary was completely turned around, stain glass windows were installed, and a statue of the Resurrected Christ was mounted on the sanctuary wall.  

In 1988, the diocese took over the leadership of the parish assigning Father Richard Hanson as pastor, followed by, Father Joseph Kelleher in 1991. 

In 1998, the diocese once again entrusted the administration of the parish to the Oblates of St. Francis DeSales, at the request of then, Bishop Curlin.  On July 1, 1998, Father Albert J. Gondek was assigned as pastor and installed by Bishop Curlin on October 31, 1998.  Under his leadership, the Church and Rosary Hall  were updated and modernized, a parish house was purchased and the former house was converted into administrative offices.   

Because of the influx of the Hispanic population in Lexington, an estimation of about 3,000, a Hispanic community was born.  On September 18, 1999, a Spanish liturgy was celebrated for the first time.  The church was filled to capacity and continues to be so at our weekly Spanish Mass. 

At the present time we are proud of all of our accomplishments.  The facilities have been updated and modernized.  The  Center is complete and our long range goals have been fulfilled.  This dream of our Parish Center renovations began in 2006 and our $264,000.00 project is now a reality. 

 In 2007 our parish council undertook the task of amending and revising our Mission Statement, Bylaws and Commissions.  We are now in compliance with the directives from the Charlotte Diocese. 

It is time for us now to concentrate more aggressively on our internal programs, religious formation and adult instruction, our short and long term goals, our on going policies and updates.  To help us with that intent, we have established a new position in our Church, with a Pastoral Associate, Sister Kathy French, SP, who will assist the pastor in every phase of our parish life and activity.  This position will also include our Faith Formation Program and the Faith Development of the entire parish.  To date almost half of our Formation Program is of Hispanic Origin.  The face of our community is changing rapidly and we are working in concert to bridge the gape of different cultures, traditions and languages.  We presently have a strong ESL (English as Second Language) program and our ardent desire and mission is unity and evangelization. 

With a renewed hope and deep faith we move foreword to continue the Lord’s work in our life time.  With God’s help we will accomplish the good work that he has begun in us.                       

 PASTOR’S WHO HAVE SERVED OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PARISH  

At the present time, the community is seeking approval to renovate the Parish Center.  Once approval is given we will be able to accommodate various viable activities and events.  Stay posted for the latest update.   

updated August 27, 2009