Holy Rosary Parish, Flint at 5199 Richfield Rd, Flint, MI 48506-2114 US - Parish History

Original Altar 1951

Bishop Joseph A. Albers established Holy Rosary Parish on September 8, 1951 to accommodate the growing population of the Flint St. Mary's ''Kearsley district.'' Reverend William J. Malewitz, assistant pastor of St. Mary's was chosen, both to head and to build the new parish: ''I unexpectedly found myself surveying a 12 1/2 acre field with an old farm house together with a 20' x 20' tenant house...and a challenge to build (the) community which is Holy Rosary.'' The parish's first Mass was celebrated on September 23, 1951, at the Kearsley Theatre, because the tenant house was too small to house Holy Rosary's 242 families. A temporary church (later converted to classrooms) was competed in August 1952. Building was funded by such diverse activities such as wheat farming, Christmas tree sales, bingos and, in September of 1952, the first Festival and car raffle. Holy Rosary continued to grow and a second building was added in 1953. Staffed by four Oxford Dominican nuns, the six-room school building served 190 students. The convent was built in 1956 to house the additional teaching nuns needed. In June 1957, construction began on the basement social hall and six more classrooms needed for the 650 parish families and their 430 students. The present church was begun in 1954 after additional land was purchased, and the Church was officially blessed on May 17, 1955. The ''Green House'' was purchased in March of 1961 to house the parish office and administrative functions. Between 1962 and 1968, Holy Rosary and Kearsley Schools developed their ''shared time'' agreement for the 7th through 12th grades, the ''first of its kind in the State of Michigan.'' To accommodate the 420 students of the 1000 parish families, land was purchased adjacent to Kearsley High School for the construction of Holy Rosary Education Center. Begun in April 1967, the Educational Center was formally dedicated on February 26, 1968 by Bishop Alexander Zaleski. With Fr. Malewitz's departure in January 1968, Reverend Joseph R. Robb was appointed pastor of Holy Rosary, and under his direction, the church was remodeled in 1971. After the work came time for celebration. On June 25, 1975, Holy Rosary celebrated the burning of its mortgage with a parish picnic. The parish celebrated its silver jubilee the following year. The parish also helped Fr. Robb celebrate his 40th anniversary of ordination with festivities on October 26, 1987. To ensure a strong basis for continued growth, the Holy Rosary Future Fund was established in 1987 to provide for the renovation of the church and the continuation of education at Holy Rosary. During this time, the parish offices were moved to the convent. Fr. Robb passed away on March 22, 1988 and was succeeded by Rev. James McDougall in June 1988. Under Fr. McDougall's leadership, the ''Green House'' was turned over to the North Flint Catholic Credit Union in July 1989. (The parish and school have since consolidated many of their posts and functions.) Early January 1991 saw the last Mass said in the original church. For the next five months, Mass was held in the multi-purpose room (gym) until renovation of the church was completed in late May. On October 7, 1991, the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary, the parish feast day, Bishop Kenneth Povish dedicated the new altar and renovated church and the church celebrated its 40th anniversary. In June of 1991 Fr. McDougall was transferred and Fr. Tom Butler was appointed pastor. This was a return visit for Fr. Butler as he was an associate to Fr. Robb for a while, leaving in 1985. During Fr. Butler's two-year stay, we saw the closing of Holy Rosary High School after 30 years and over 1200 graduates. Fr. Paul Schwermer was appointed pastor in June of 1993. Under his direction and after years of talking about making the basement handicap accessible, the dream was realized in 1996. An addition at the end of the Day Care section gave them added room as an elevator was installed and restrooms were added in the basement. With Fr. Paul's help the Parish Council, in January/ February 1999 adopted a project called Tomorrow's Parish. Through this program, Holy Rosary parishioners are taking ownership of their parish and the responsibility for designing its future. Parish life is always growing and changing - on a constant journey. Situations change, new cultural and social challenges arise calling all to continuous spiritual renew and creative responses to growth.

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