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History (Click here for photo gallery)We were first called the Greenhills Catholic Colony in 1938 with Fr. George Kuntz as Administrator. One mass was held each Sunday in the gymnasium of the Community Building. All churches in Greenhills used the gymnasium for services on Sunday and shared the portable church furniture, thus creating a strong bond of ecumenical friendship which still continues to flourish. In 1941, Fr. Cletus Kunz was appointed as Administrator of the Greenhills Catholic Colony. In July, 1942, the Colony, having outgrown its "mission" status, became Our Lady of the Rosary Parish with Fr. Kunz as its first Pastor. In 1946, our present site was acquired from the U.S. Government and on January 29, 1947, ground was broken and blessed for the first section of the new school building. In 1951 the basement and partial first floor served as a four classroom school, offices, and church. Fr. Paul Galliger was appointed Pastor in 1950. By 1952 the first floor was completed, and OLR School opened September 2, with 137 students taught by the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters established temporary living quarters in vacant classrooms until an apartment dwelling on Farragut Road was acquired for their use in 1955. With the tremendous growth occurring in the 1950's, a new larger church became top priority, so a vigorous building campaign was started: "The Church of 1000 Cornerstones." Each family who pledged 5 percent of one year's income towards the building campaign received a time capsule bearing a brass plate with their name. These capsules held family memorabilia, and were inserted into the walls of the church, visible from the inside. Through the faith and sacrificial spirit of the parishioners, the new church was completed and dedicated with a Mass on July 19, 1959 by Archbishop Karl J. Alter. In 1960, the rectory was built. Fr. Bernard Felix was appointed Pastor in 1961. The present Parish Activity Center was originally built as the convent in 1968. In August, 1971, Fr. Donald Behler became Pastor. Fr. Raymond Aichele became out Pastor in February of 1979. He began a spiritual renewal program, "Christ Renews His Parish," which helped to enable parishioners to actively be "the Body of Christ." From 1981-1988, "CRHP" empowered 425 persons. Fr. Paul Bader served as our Pastor from June, 1986 through June, 1998. In 1991, our Church was Renovated and an addition connected the church to the rectory better utilizing rectory space. The addition serves our needs for handicapped accessible restrooms, and gathering space for funerals, weddings, and parish functions as well as housing our parish library. In 1996, our Pastoral Staff and Commissions decided to implement a new pastoral vision for becoming a truly Evangelizing parish as our Popes have been requesting. This new plan develops in stages and involves Parish Retreats, Small Church Communities, Missionary Outreaches and Ministries in Neighborhoods. In July 1998, Fr. Charles Bowes was appointed to serve the people of OLR. Fr. Charlie eagerly continues to develop the Pastoral Vision we began in 1996.
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