Holy Rosary/Santo Rosario church belongs to all of us. It has been a part of the neighborhood landscape since 1878. Each generation since then has tried to make it beautiful in its own way to express its love for God.
The design of the church comprises two aspects, the liturgical and the artistic. The liturgical design, true of all Catholic churches, has its essential focus on the ritual worship, the sacrifice of the Mass. The artistic design varies from one church to another, and includes the architecture, windows, statues, and other furnishings which compliment worship and prayer.
Church entrance
The walls of the present day church, built in 1888, are of Kettle River sandstone, well known for its durability and its fire proof qualities.
The Vestibule
The Original Windows in the Bell Tower
The Church’s original stained glass windows in the nave were destroyed in the 1904 fire. When the windows were replaced, the Mysteries of the Rosary Windows were installed. Fortunately, three smaller windows were not destroyed and can still be viewed today while going up the stairs to the choir loft beneath the bell tower. These windows incorporate elements of the aesthetic movement of the latter half of the 19th century with their curvilinear features of Renaissance decoration.
Original Windows in the Bell Tower
Bronze Altar Doors
In the vestibule of the church, mounted on the wall, are two bronze doors. These doors originally flanked the sides of the Main Altar, and were used by altar boys primarily during the processions. They were removed during a renovation in the 1960′s.