Cornerstone

A century ago, on May 30, 1920, the cornerstone of Holy Rosary Church in Tacoma was laid. It was the feast of Saint Joan of Arc, who had been canonized just ten days before.

Here’s what our parish history says about the day:

May 30, 1920 The cornerstone of the new Church is laid by the Most Rev. Joseph McGrath, D.D. Bishop of Baker City Oregon (and former pastor of Saint Patrick’s in Tacoma) on behalf of Bishop O’Dea of Seattle, who is ill. Rt. Rev. Abbot Oswald Baran O.S.B. and thirty other members of the clergy assist. Mayor Riddell of Tacoma is among the many honored guests.

(Firmly Rooted, page 19)

 

This day had been a long time coming.

Holy Rosary parish was founded by German immigrants in 1891, and for their first twenty years Masses were celebrated in a simple wooden church. The land was purchased by parishioners, and they built the church themselves.

Unfortunately, their amateur-built church soon developed structural problems. The building was condemned in 1912, and Masses were celebrated in the auditorium of the newly-finished (professionally built!) school for the next nine years.

There were other celebrations there as well. In 1914, Holy Rosary’s pastor, Rev. Oswald Baran, was elected as the first Abbot of Saint Martin’s. Despite the humble surroundings, he selected Holy Rosary as the site of his installation.

For his successor at Holy Rosary, he chose Rev. Mark Wiechmann, O.S.B., who had just supervised the construction of the Church of the Visitation in Tacoma.

Aug. 23, 1914 Father Wiechmann begins his pastorate at Holy Rosary Parish, saying, “I will try to do my duty to the best of my ability. We are all human so overlook any shortcomings.” Father Wiechmann serves Holy Rosary for the next 21 years. Under his direction, the current (second) Church is built. To make the dream of a new Church building a reality, Father Wiechmann organizes numerous fairs, socials, festivals, and pledge drives until sufficient funds are raised to start construction of the new Church.

(Firmly Rooted, page 15)

 

There are those who say that Holy Rosary Church was built with bake sales. The final push came in early 1920, with a pledge drive and a carnival so large that the Mayor of Tacoma was on hand to cut the ribbon and begin the festivities.

Following the laying of the cornerstone, the new Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary was completed in only 18 months. For almost a century, this church has towered over our city of Tacoma.

Fifteen pastors have shepherded our parish over the years, and countless baptisms, weddings, confirmations, and funerals have been celebrated here. At least 13 priests have celebrated their first Masses here.

Holy Rosary Church and School must be preserved. The Church is a monument of love to our Blessed Mother. Holy Rosary School is a living symbol of our devotion and work of teaching the precious truths of our Catholic Faith. As I have often mentioned to my fellow priests, a Pastor could never hope for a more wholesome and lovable Parish family than the people of Holy Rosary.

Rev. Felix Wirth, O.S.B.;
Eighth Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish (1968–1981)

 

Please pray that Holy Rosary Church may continue to be a beacon of hope and faith to our city and to the entire archdiocese.

For while we celebrate the laying of our church’s cornerstone, it is merely the symbol of the true cornerstone, which is Christ Jesus.

Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God’s sight chosen and precious; and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but for those who do not believe,

“The very stone which the builders rejected
has become the head of the corner,”

and

“A stone that will make men stumble,
a rock that will make them fall”;

for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

1 Peter 2:4-8