Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church – Parish History
The title of Our Lady of Victories dates back to a historic battle between Christian and Moslem forces at Lepanto in 1521. The Moslems had invaded much of Spain and were threatening to overrun most of Europe and de-Christianize Europe. The threat was real and it all came together at a sea battle at Lepanto. Realizing the importance of this moment the Pope, Pius V, called upon all Christians to pray the Rosary for the success of this battle. The Christian forces prevailed, Europe was saved for the Christian Faith and the Moslems were pushed back to Africa. In honor of the victory, the Pope declared Mary the Lady of Victory and declared her feast day to be held on October 7, the Feast of 'Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary'. Thus, the origin of the name for our Parish.
1967: As the years passed, a new rectory/office was built at 601 Hill N’ Dale with space to house three priests. Additional sections were added to the school to meet the growing needs of the parish. Additions to the building included a fourth cluster with a library and three classrooms, and a lunchroom. Prior to this lunch was eaten in the multi-purpose room.
1970: In the 1970’s, hope for a new church building again surfaced. As the hope was expressed, also there was the ever present concern as to financing the project. And so, the idea of a new church was put on the back burner. In place of a new church, the parishioners decided to renovate the interior of the parish hall and make it a fitting place of worship. The hall then would then take on more the atmosphere of a worship area.
The Multi-Purpose Room was renovated into a permanent church. T he floor was carpeted and pews were installed replacing folding chairs. The Altar was moved to the to the opposite end of the room. In order to create space for the Altar, a partition was built 10 feet from the north end, with a raised platform. A newly installed stained glass window was designed by Van Rohen, owner of Finestra Stained Glass in Louisville, Ky. This was mounted outside the current clear window over the Altar. The artist stated the design represents “ The Tree of Life”. The walls at either side of the window curved out to resemble an open book. People now entered the church facing the Altar.
A new adjoining structure was added. It consisted of a new gymnasium with a P.E. Office, restrooms, kitchen and cafeteria. T he former scout room and kitchen were converted into two classrooms for kindergarten. The former lunchroom was converted into two more classrooms.
In 1980, another parish ( St. Elizabeth Ann Seton) was formed, taking 200 families from our parish.
1983: The growth and expansion of the parish continued as the population of this section of town developed. Members of the parish became concerned over the crowded conditions at worship, in the school and other out-of-school activities. There was a lot of discussion regarding the establishment of another parish and/or the building of a new school in the southern area of the city. Either or both of these would have an influence on Mary, Queen. It was felt that caution needed to be taken regarding any future construction.
1984: Nevertheless, the parish reconstructed new pitched roofs and added a more decorous church/school entrance way.
1985: This marked the Silver Jubilee of the Parish.
1988: The Diocese of Lexington, was formed out of the Dioceses of Covington and Louisville, with Bishop J. Kendrick Williams ordained as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Lexington on March 2, 1988. Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, along with many other Kentucky parishes became part of the new Diocese of Lexington.
While the need for worship space was the major need, it was not the only one. Because of the fine quality of our Education/Formation programs, CCD, Pre-school, Nursery, space for rooms was at a premium. There just were not enough rooms for the classes. While we did try different ways of meeting these needs it was very evident that we needed more space. Another need that was becoming increasingly evident was the need for more school space. There was a need for more classrooms including a science lab, an art room, additional classrooms, and a computer lab.
With the growing number of parishioners and the increasing programs, our parish staff continued to grow. It became necessary to find a place for the staff to do their work. There was a need for office space. At one time, the CCD Coordinator, Pre-School Director, and Youth Counselor all shared one office. The Youth Counselor was using what later became the health room. Besides these needs, there was expressed the need to separate the parish office from the priest’s dwelling. Since the parish was constantly growing, with one or more of these meetings taking place daily, there was an expressed need for more meeting room space. The library and various grade classrooms were the only place for meetings. After reflecting on these needs, praying over them, and discussing them with members of the Parish Council, the Pastor and the Parish Council established an Ad Hoc Committee for Growth Concerns for 1989.
1989: The committee began its work in the Spring. They reviewed the needs described by Fr. Nieberding. They received needs and desires from the various department staff members and chairs of committees involved. They had some designs drawn which would add more space in the worship area and incorporate as many suggestions as possible from those which had been made. Unfortunately, by trying to incorporate all of the suggestions the “plan” would only add about 67 spaces which would not be enough to solve the problem for a year. Nevertheless, a general parish meeting was called in order to respond and to react to the plan.
1990: A general parish meeting was held January 30 th to respond and react to the plan presented last year. While only 75 parishioners attended, those present were almost unanimous for building a new church. They asked that we put an end to the ‘band aid’ approach which we had used in the past. The recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee were presented to the Parish Council in September.
1991: We became aware of the work of Fr. Richard Vosko, a liturgical art consultant. He was adept at leading people through a process enabling them to reach a level of consensus in the areas of worship needs and space concerns. He was invited to come to speak to our Parish Council and to the Finance Council. Early in January Fr. Vosko met with a core committee of parishioners. Following the meeting, the committees began their work. In February, the parishioners had their first opportunity to meet Fr. Vosko who began presentation the first week of Lent. A result of these evenings was expressed by one of our parishioners: “Do you know what’s happening here, Father? WE ARE TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER. We may not agree but we are talking.” The process was underway. Again in March, Fr. Vosko returned to lead a design workshop and tours were undertaken of various local churches and buildings. The response clearly showed that the majority of the people present recognized that something needed to be done and that the majority thought there was need for a new Church and the renovation of the present structure.
1994: On January 31st , 400 parishioners met to discuss the future direction of our building program, the Expansion Committee. It was determined that we were unable to raise the needed funds. On February 16th , the Parish Council discussed the results of the January open meeting. The following consensus came from that meeting;
1995: As the work moved toward completion, the date of October 1, 1995, was set as the date of Dedication. Bishop J. Kendrick Williams, Diocese of Lexington, dedicated the new worship space on Sunday, October 1, 1995 at 3:00 p.m. As the day began, Sunday Mass was celebrated in the “old” church for the last time. There was sadness as some recalled the good times of spiritual growth, sacraments received, and relationship with God strengthened. An era ended and another began. Music was being played in the Rosary Garden and in the “old” church. Parishioners and guests were gathering. At 3:00 P.M. Bishop Williams joined this group and the Dedication began with a prayer of thanks for all His blessings. The Bishop, priests, and laity went in procession to the entrance of the new building. The Bishop was presented with a set of plans, our Parish mission statement and key to the Church. Fr. Bob opened the Church for all to enter. The people, the Altar, and the Church were sprinkled and the Liturgy of the Word followed. Before the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the Rite of Dedication took place. The Rite consisted of the Prayer of Dedication, the blessing of the Altar, and the lighting of the Church. After Communion the Blessed Sacrament was brought to the Tabernacle in the Eucharistic Chapel for the Rite of Inauguration of the Tabernacle. A meal followed on the Church grounds. Once the new church was completed, it became evident that the present school was not sufficient for the continuing needs of education for our youngsters. The school had been expanded as far as was practical. The decision was made that a totally new physical plant for the school was needed.
2006: In February, four additional classrooms were built. During this time, the previous By-Laws of the Parish Pastoral Council were studied and revised to ensure that all activities of the parish would be represented through the council. The existing Parish Mission Statement was also reviewed and only slightly modified. A small group of parishioners (after listening to a presentation by Sister Faustina), headed up by Dolly Van Daniker and Jim Cloud, presented a large painting, portraying "DIVINE MERCY" for display in the new church.
2007: With the anticipated arrival of an additional priest, other parish priests, and numerous visiting seminarians and guests, the Parish Pastoral Council determined that a new residence was needed for the priests. Several options were investigated and a house on Wellington Way was temporarily rented from a parishioner. It was then determined to purchase a home on Hill ‘N Dale, the other side of Clays Mill and renovate it to provide four bedrooms and adequate parking space.
2008: With the arrival of Fr. Eulices Godinez, a weekly Sunday Mass at 1:00pm began in Spanish. With that, our Hispanic community expanded to about 800 families. The new priest’s residence was completed and first occupied on December 20 th. Becky Brown was hired as Principal, Mary Queen School for the 2008-2009 school year.
2009: The Liturgy Committee purchased and placed large vigil offering candles in front of the statutes of The Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph on each of the inside walls of the church. These had been requested by some parishioners since the new church was built
2010: On August 1st , Rev. Dan Noll was appointed as pastor and installed by Bishop Ronald Gainer. He replaced Rev. Bob Nieberding, who for the prior year served as Parish Administrator. Fr. Dan previously served as pastor of St. Leo's in Versailles. About 2,000 families now call Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary parish their spiritual home.
2010: The 50th Anniversary of the founding of our Parish was celebrated with a special Mass by Pastor Dan Noll, and festivities.
2011: The Faith in Our Future campaign continued.
2014: 2000 families were registered in the Parish. The Mortgage on the new priest’s house was fully paid, with help from a generous private donation, in May 2014; and the mortgage was formally burned at an Open House for the entire Parish, in June. In September, a second Mass in Spanish was added at 9:30am on Sunday in addition to the 1pm Mass. Fr. Miguel Alvizures was assigned Parochial Vicar in July 2014.
2015: In November, a refugee family of 12 from the Congo came to Lexington in 2015 and were welcomed by Mary Queen Church. Many, being Catholic, they spoke Swahali, but were made to feel at home here. This group has now grown to over 20. Fr. Vitner Martinez, from Belgium, speaks Swahili and is working with them. He spent 5 years in Africa, before coming here for a visit.
2016: In March, the first parish ACTS Retreat was held separately for Men and Women, English and Spanish. This is planned to continue twice each year. Fr. Vitner Martinez was assigned Parochial Vicar on August 28, 2016.
At the Easter Vigil, 42 were Baptized. In May, 81 were Confirmed. At the Easter Vigil Mass we unveiled paintings of praying angels that now grace the walls of the alcoves on either side of the altar. These paintings were donated to Mary Queen by parishioners Jane and Richard Leake and Jane's siblings, Ann and Jerry Porter, Layne and Peggy Lohmar, Martha and Jack Gruber, and Ellen and John Moak in memory of Jane's parents, Fidelis and Edward Lohmar. The praying angels reflect the solid foundation of prayer, particularly the Rosary, that Jane received from her parents and the spirit of giving back to her church family that which her parents exemplified so well. Anne Little was the artist commissioned to paint the angels.
2017: Personnel changes: Stacie Sutter resigned as Parish Life Coordinator and was replaced by Melissa Sloan.
2018: in July, long time Business manager, Walter Leachman retired. Brian Carlson took over as Business Manager. Brian Hunt returned as Music Director.
2019: in September, plans were announced to renovate the Sanctuary, Gathering Area, Eucharistic Chapel, Reconciliation, and Meeting Rooms in 2020. Zach Wiley was hired as Facilities Manager, a new position.
2020: In dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic increased efforts at communication and live streaming of Masses become necessary. Public Masses were suspended from March through May. Renovation of the church began in May and included new pews and flooring and many additional improvements including a new sound system and opened August 1st.
A simple celebration was held per COVID-19 protocols to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Church. Bishop John Stowe blessed the inside at one of the first nights we held confirmation.
Personnel changes: Angie Allen (Youth Group) and Kabby Akers (Young Adults & Justice Ministry) both retired. Tara Kaufmann was hired as Operation Manager (former title - Business Manager). James Harding took on several administrative roles.
2021: Deacon John Becerra was hired as a Pastoral Associate in July. Rev. Ramiro Reyes was hired as a half-time Parochial Vicar in November. Personnel changes: Karen Estes retired as K-12 Religious Formation Coordinator 9/25; 10/1 Casey Phillips was hired. In November, Camilla Valencia resigned as Pre-School Coordinator and Stephanie Beeken was hired.
2022: Fr. Dan Noll retired on 6/30/2022. Under his 12-year leadership, Mary Queen hosted 11 Women's CRHP (Christ Renews His Parish) retreats and 8 Men's CRHP retreats in English. He also implemented the ACTS (Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service) retreats at MQHR, resulting in 5 women's and 3 men's English retreats and 5 women's and 5 men's retreats as of April 2024.
In March, outdoor stations of the cross were installed (donation from CRHP 11 and parishioner James Cloud). In July, the parish offices were relocated from the stone building to the Educational Life Center. The stone building was designated as the youth and young adult building. Leslie McGraw was hired as business administrator. Fr Miguel Alvizures was installed as Pastor at the end of July. Jennifer Longworth was hired as parish life / communications coordinator. Beth O'Sullivan joined the staff as Youth / Young Adult Coordinator.
2023: On May 28th (Pentecost), the parish introduced a new parish mission statement: "Receive God's Love, Proclaim the Greatness of the Lord, Serve Joyfully, and Make Missionary Disciples of Jesus Christ."
In the fall, we replaced our Sunday faith formation program with a Wednesday evening family faith formation night with dinner served for everyone.
2024: Kimberli Castelan was hired as part-time bilingual secretary to help Jane Tucker and Christina Aguilera in the parish office. After comprehensive research and a feasibility study, the Together in Christ Capital Campaign was launched. The main goal of the campaign is to pay off the ELC Debt, followed by a secondary goal of building a new adoration chapel. Deacon Bill Rood retired after 16 years of service at MQHR. Fr. Michael Flanagan joined MQHR as parochial vicar in July 2024. Chris Claunch was hired as Youth / Confirmation Coordinator.
Original Parishioners
Mrs. Judy Abell | Mr. Billy Allison | Mrs. Dorothy Allison |
Mrs. Mary Augustyn | Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Beaven | Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Bell |
Mr. & Mrs. David Berry | Mrs. Lorraine Bowen | Mrs. Delores DeMeo |
Mr. & Mrs. John Feltman | Mr. William Flynn | Mr. & Mrs. John Haney |
Mrs. Florence Hewett | Mrs. Loraine Huston | Mr. & Mrs. Robert Jobe |
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kragel | Mrs. Grace Lynch | Lucille Brick |
Mrs. Ann Miller | Mr. James Mitchell | Mrs. Marie O'Rourke |
Mr. & Mrs. E. W. Owens | Mr. Fred Shafer | Mrs. Phyllis Shannon |
Mrs. Edith Southwood | Mrs. Anna Tharp | Mr. & Mrs. John Wathen |
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Wedding | Catherine Willett |
last updated04/30/2024 jkl