Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church
2012
As far back as 1831, Father Miguel Muldoon, a Spanish missionary to
A group of Czech families, namely those of Joseph Janda, Alois Klimicek, Benjamin Klimicek, Valentin Kolibal, Frank Koza and Frank Marak, settled in what is now Hostyn in November 1856, making it one of the earliest Czech Catholic settlements in
In 1860 additional Czech families arrived from
The first school was established in 1868 and Mrs. Theresa Kubala taught catechism and Czech besides the regular school courses. The parish cemetery was also established in 1868.
In 1869, a new frame church was erected and dedicated to the Queen of the Holy Rosary. From 1871, and for several years, Father
In 1884, the parish received its first Czech pastor, Father Joseph Fabian. He died in March 1886, and his remains rest in the parish cemetery. Under his charge, a new organ was installed and the Stations of the Cross were erected in the Church. Father Francis Zak briefly succeeded Father Fabian as resident pastor, followed by Father
Next, Father Julius Vrana was pastor; under his charge, the first church was built in Ammannsville. Father Charles J. Benes came next, and under his charge the first church was built in
Father B. (Fred) Neubert was pastor from 1897 to 1901, Father Joseph Szymanski from 1901 to 1906, and Father Joseph Horacek followed until 1908.
In 1907 the church burned down. It was soon rebuilt, the new church being the fourth since 1856.
From 1907 to 1923
Father T. Y. Wojnowski followed as pastor and remained until 1923. Father Alphonse Raska also attended to Bluff in 1923.
On
In December 1943, Father Kaspar was transferred to Hillje, and Father Edward J. Jansky took charge of the Hostyn Parish, while residing at
Through the generosity of the Heinrich L. and Josefa Kreische Family, who willed their land to the parish, the Hostyn Parish Plant was given a great boost. The land, 344 acres, was sold in 1965, and some of the money was spent on building the new church and on other improvements to the parish such as a new water well, while some went to the Archiocesan Seminary and to the orphanage in
Father Lambert Laskowski came to Hostyn in 1965. His task was oversee the building of the new and fifth church. The Most. Rev. Stephen Leven dedicated the newly completed church in 1966.
In 1967, Msgr. Alois J. Morkovsky came to Hostyn and remained until he retired in 1974. Father William F. Halata was assigned to Hostyn in December of 1974. Father Halata was deeply moved to specialize in youth programs, and the Jr. & Sr. CYO’s were organized, a Youth Choir was started, and the C.C.D. program was given a boost. Father Halata oversaw the building of the present Parish Hall. After Father Halata retired, Father Tim Kosler, pastor of St. Rose of
Rev. Msgr. Stanley J. Petru was appointed pastor of Holy Rosary Parish, Hostyn and Sts. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Cistern as of June 1, 1992, with his residence to be in Hostyn. Upon the retirement of Rev. Jerome Stryk, pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul, Plum, Msgr. Petru was relieved of his assignment as Pastor of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, Cistern, and appointed Pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Church,
During Rev. Msgr. Stanley J. Petru’s administration, parish plant improvements included remodeling the rectory, building the pavilion, and the removal of the school building, which had fallen into disrepair, to make way for a parking lot. A parish office/garage was built in 2003, and in 2007, construction began on an addition to the church building which includes a Chapel, narthex and handicapped restrooms. This addition was blessed by Bishop David Fellhauer on Nov. 23, 2008, as the parish celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood of Rev. Msgr. Stanley J. Petru. Also serving the parish at this time were Father Joseph Kariuki, Parochial Vicar, who resided at
Rev. Daniel P. Kahlich was appointed pastor on August 23, 2011, and Deacon John McCourt was reassigned to his original diaconal ministry.
Vocations from the Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish include two priests, Father Charles Kolek, O.S.B., ordained in 1937, and Father Adolph Janda, ordained in 1939. One brother, Brother Raphael Kozel, and seventeen sisters, have come from Hostyn. The sisters are: Sister M. Ludmilla Muras, Sister M. Clara Parma, Sister M. Alfreda Hilsher, Sister M. Samuela Kolodejcek, Sister M. Bernadette Kallus, Sister M. Andrea Kallus, Sister M. Josephine Kallus, Sister M. Agnes Kallus, Sister M. Virginia Kallus, Sister M. Angelica Kallus, Sister Agnes Janda, Sister Alice Janda, Sister Helen Kallus, Sister Martha Kallus, Sister Annie Kozel, Sister Rose Kruppa, and Sister Liliane Janda. The latest vocation from the parish was July 29, 2006, when John McCourt was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate.
The parish currently consists of 210 families. The parish family are involved in many activities and ministries, such as the annual parish festivals held on the first Sunday in May and October each year, ACTS retreats, Generations in Faith Whole Community Catechesis, Young Neighbors in Action youth service organization, Social Ministry Commission, the Knights of Columbus, KJT, KJZT, Catholic Daughters of America, Living Rosary Society, and Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Youth Group, Bible Study groups, Disciples on the Journey Faith Sharing groups, and RCIA. They serve as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, rosary leaders, greeters, and ushers. They prepare the church environment for liturgy. They serve as catechists in sacrament preparation, and as facilitators and core team members in whole community catechesis.
The Parish Family members, under the guidance of the priests who have served the Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, are what makes, and has always made, this parish a wonderful place to gather, and to give praise to God.
Additions as of June 13, 2022
Rev. Daniel P. Kahlich retired in June 2020. Rev. Robert Knippenberg, Jr was appointed pastor of both Queen of the Holy Rosary, Hostyn, and Sts. Peter & Paul, Plum at that time. In June 2021, Rev. Knippenberg was transferred to the Mentz and Frelsburg parishes. Rev. Felix Twumasi was appointed Parochial Administrator of Queen of the Holy Rosary, Hostyn, and Sts. Peter & Paul, Plum as of July 1, 2021.
On June 9, 2022, the church building was totally destroyed in a fire that began with an explosion, at approximately 6:30 am. The Grotto, Chapels and Outdoor Stations of the Cross appear to be undamaged, and will be inspected when possible.