Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church traces its beginning to early 1955 when the church, previously located in Pacific Junction was demolished because it was too small for the growing
Catholic community.
Pacific Junction had been a mission from St. Mary’s in Hamburg with Father Othma Kaufman as pastor. Parishioners purchased land from Mrs. Wright at our
present location in Glenwood, and constructed a metal building. Father Kaufman celebrated the Mass on Christmas Eve in 1955, with about 20 families attending.
Groups were formed to clean and maintain the church; an annual parish dinner soon became a tradition. In 1961, additional land was acquired from Mrs. Wright to allow the growing community to expand.
The Knights of Columbus were established in 1975 and have maintained a long history of serving the needs of the parish and the Glenwood community.
It was through their efforts that we have a beautiful Meditation Garden, adjacent to the church, with the stations of the Cross as a focal point. The Catholic Daughters of the Americas were established in 2000.
Father Kaufman retired in 1979, and was succeeded by Fathers Lavern Wingert (1979-1981), Frank Bognanno (1981-1987), Bob Aubrey (1987-1994) and Paul Monahan (current pastor).
Each pastor has left his mark on the lives of the people beginning with the foresight of Father Kaufman, in the selection of property, to the establishment of Pastoral Councils, a Montessori Pre-School, religious programs
(such as an excellent Religious Education program for our youth, convert classes for adults called RCIA and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament), to the construction of a new church in 1984, and a beautiful Education Center,
office expansion, renovation of the chapel, and construction of a long-awaited bell tower in 2002.
Our Church leadership is directed by a Mission Statement to keep us focused on our purpose as a parish community.
Mission Statement:
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary parishioners see ourselves as a family of Catholic believers who have unique relationship with God, with Mary His Mother, and with each other.
This relationship is expressed in our Sunday Eucharist, and in the celebration of the other sacraments, strengthened through individual and communal prayer, nourished by the study of
scripture and Religious Education programs, solidified by social activities, and perpetuated by financial commitment.
As a family we proclaim and live the gospel ministering to: our own members,
to anyone searching for a relationship with God; to those who are oppressed, to the church community composed of other local denominations: the diocese of Des Moines;and the Roma Catholic Church at large.
Source: Provided by Roseanna Zehner
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church traces its beginning to early 1955 when the church, previously located in Pacific Junction was demolished because it was too small for the growing
Catholic community.