1945-1960 Timeline of Holy Rosary

	1945-1960 Timeline

Pastors of Holy Rosary (1944-1963)

1944-1947 J.H. Kelleher, O.P.
1948-1950 Matthew Cuddy, O.P.
1950-1956 Gabriel Mary Lane, O.P.
1957-1963 F.S. Redmond, O.P.

1940s-50s Parish Schedule

Mass Hours
Sundays--5:30, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 (High Mass), 12:15
Holy Days--5:30, 6:15, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, and 12:15
Weekdays--6:30, 7:00, and 8:00

Confessions
Saturday--4:00 to 6:00 and 7:30 to 9:00
First Friday--Thursday at the same hours as on Saturday
Weekday--Before the 7:00 and 8:00 Masses and in the evening after the Rosary

Weekly Devotions and Benediction
Thursday--Holy Hour at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday--Rosary Mass and Rosary at 8:00 a.m.
Every evening, except Thursday--Rosary at 7:30 p.m.

1946-56 The Priest in the Wheelchair

Known by many children in the postwar era as "the priest in the wheelchair," and by their parents as a counselor, comforter and confessor, Fr. Francis Paschal Kelly, O.P. was a popular priest in the parish since 1934. Upon arriving at Holy Rosary, the young priest was immediately and warmly accepted by all. He assumed his duties with vigor and enthusiasm for the people he served. Within a year, however, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The disease first attacked his legs and by 1944 he ministered to the people of the parish from his wheelchair. His suffering, buoyed up by his persistent prayer and Christ-like willingness, made him a sought after intercessor of heavenly help and healing. In 1956, when he could no longer sit upright nor get around by himself in a wheelchair, he entered St. Mary's Hospital where he would stay until his death in 1975.

1948 Installation of the Rosary Lamps

Many parishioners were pleasantly surprised in 1948 when the new golden Rosary Lamps were hung. Fr. Matthew Cuddy, O.P. who had a strong devotion to the rosary, liked the symbolism of the interior light illuminating the image of a rosary. The cylindrical lamps lasted for only five years. They were replaced when Fr. Lane, O.P. commisioned a major renovation of the church.

1950 The Living Rosary at Holy Name Society Rally

Fr. Cuddy's Living Rosary
Holy Rosary's Holy Name Society stole the show at the HNS rally on June 11, 1950 at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds, when hundreds of men from the parish formed a living rosary by walking with candles in the dusk of the evening. They were the last group that came over the hill. No group at the rally had the numbers of men marching as Holy Rosary. Fr. Cuddy, O.P. asked the men to form a living rosary in such a way that it would embody the love within them they had for Mary and the Rosary.

1952-53 Fr. Lane's Major Renovation of the Church

In 1952, in preparation for the Diamond Jubilee, Fr. G.M. Lane, O.P., inaugurated a major renovation of the church. The entire sanctuary was redesigned. The tabernacle which was given to Holy Rosary by the O'Donnell children in memory of their parents was refashioned to stand free from all encumbrances.

The most noticeable changes were the installation of the maroon backdrop behind the main altar and the removal of the old Communion railing. The sanctuary was extended when a new Communion rail, designed for the safety and comfort of the communicants, was installed such that communicants no longer had to walk up the hazardous marble steps which were now behind the rail inside the sanctuary.

The altars of Mary and Joseph were refurbished to harmonize with the high altar and two new shrine altars were erected. The marble which was on top of the old communion railing (which had been donated by men of the parish who were Minneapolis police officers), was used in the construction of the new shrine altars.

At the suggestion of the ushers pews were removed so that a new aisle could be extened across the church (from one side door to another) before a new floor was installed. The ceiling was painted, new lights were installed, and all the pews reconditioned. A new roof was placed on the church and the sixteen stained glass windows were removed, cleaned, and rebuilt. A catwalk was also built above the ceiling to facilitate the changing of lighbulbs. New oak doors were hung on the front of the church.

1955-59 More Parish Projects

A new convent for the Sisters of the Sick Poor was built in 1955 through a $25,000 'matching pledge' fund drive. After 1957, Fr. F.S. Redmond inauguarated various parish projects; jewelry and gold was contributed for the ceremonial chalice, the church hall was renovated, and new confessionals were constructed. In 1959, a permanent entrance on 18th Ave. replaced the 'chicken coop'.

1960 Neighboring St. Elizabeth Church Razed

While Holy Rosary was busy renovating, the federal government was also busy--making plans for the Interstate Highway System. When the freeways were built, a lot of people became unsettled as small businesses, churches, and homes were razed. In early 1960, one of the casualties was St. Elizabeth Church on the corner of 15th Avenue So. and 8th Street which was razed to make way for the Hwys. 35-94 project.

Then in 1964, Holy Rosary parishioners' own fears were realized. Houses in Holy Rosary parish were removed or torn down for the proposed Hiawatha freeway.

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