(Catholic Herald photo/Joe Ptak)
DARLINGTON — Parish members have long called it “the most striking building in Lafayette County.”
Holy Rosary Church has gone through many changes, but it has always served as a reflection of its parishioners over the past century and a half.
On Sunday, Sept. 28, the parish and school communities of Holy Rosary, Darlington, will celebrate the parish’s 150th anniversary and the school’s 100th anniversary.
There will be a Mass at 10:30 a.m. followed by a roast beef dinner and party from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Humble beginnings
Holy Rosary Parish was founded August 15, 1864, with Fr. A.T. David as its first pastor. The community of Darlington, then called Center, was part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee at that time.
After five years in the original long, low-frame structured church, a construction of the present church — built of stone — began in 1868. It assumed the name of The Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.
That same year, the first of the deceased was interned at Holy Rosary Cemetery. One noteworthy person whose remains are in the cemetery is Fr. Mathias Hannon, who became pastor in 1876 and remained in Darlington (which had been renamed from Center in 1869) for 35 years.
During Father Hannon’s time as pastor, many improvements were made to the church building. A new rectory was built in 1905, five years before Father Hannon’s death.
Renovations and a new school
His successor, Fr. James Nevin, began the construction of Holy Rosary School. The school was opened in 1915 under the direction of the Sisters of Notre Dame. They occupied a previous rectory until a convent was built in 1921.
Before Father Nevin resigned due to ill health in 1936, he continued redecorating the church interior along with adding a pipe organ and building a confessional in the rear of the church.
Fr. Bernard Doyle (later Monsignor) continued the improvements to the church during his time as pastor from 1936 until his retirement in 1966.
These included a new communion rail, new front doors, and a basement parish hall, starting in 1937; new altars and a stone addition with sacristy on the west side of the church in 1948; and new pews, confessionals on the sides of the church, and flooring in 1962.
He also oversaw the building of the current school building in 1954. It was dedicated in 1956.
During Monsignor Doyle’s time as pastor, in 1946, Holy Rosary Parish and School were incorporated into the newly formed Diocese of Madison.
From the past to the present
More changes to the church would occur over the next 50 years, following Monsignor Doyle’s retirement.
In 1999, newly named pastor Fr. Tom Kelley conceived of ways to improve the interior of the church. Father Kelley insisted on authentic materials — such as wood and stone, not plaster and plywood — and local talent — parishioners and local businesses — to do the construction.
Some original pieces of furniture were incorporated back into use and in the design of new pieces. The parish tabernacle, dating back to 1930, was discovered in the back of the sacristy. It was restored along with the presider’s chair.
A new altar, tabernacle tower, and cross were built by Holy Rosary parishioners.
Holy Rosary Parish today
Today, Holy Rosary has more then 1,500 parishioners from more than 600 households.
The current pastor is Fr. John Bosco Pudhota, or simply “Father Bosco.” He was appointed in 2013, replacing Fr. Randy Budnar, who had been at the parish since 2000.
Holy Rosary Parish is currently linked with the parishes of St. Peter in Elk Grove, Our Lady of Hope in Seymour, and St. Michael-Calamine and Immaculate Conception-Truman. The four parishes are set to merge into one parish on July 1 of next year.
Holy Rosary School today
Sixty-five students attend Holy Rosary School for the 2014-2015 school year.
The school’s vision is a strong, vibrant, and active faith community attracting and engaging others to embrace a loving God.
It currently serves students in grades 4K through fourth grade.
For more information on Holy Rosary Parish, visit www.holyrosarycatholicchurch.org For more information on Holy Rosary School, visit www.school.holyrosarycatholicchurch.org