St. Rose of Lima turns 100
Church celebrates centennial anniversary
Parishioners of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church know what it's like to have humble beginnings.
One hundred years ago, members of the Ephrata-based church would worship out of their homes, with visits from a Spokane priest.
Parishioners will celebrate the church's centennial this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a special outdoor mass at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, located at 520 Southeast Boulevard in Ephrata.
St. Rose of Lima pastor Seamus Kerr said Bishop Carlos Savilla, the chancellor of the diocese and other visiting priests and deacons will be in attendance at the Mass.
"It's important because we are celebrating 100 years of faith in the community," Kerr said.
Following the Mass, the church will hold a banquet in the school gymnasium and offer entertainment, with speeches by the bishop and senior parishioners of the parish.
"We have a lot of history behind it, " Kerr said, holding up a picture of the church's original site. "This was the first church that really was built in Ephrata. And now, the same church is down at the Grant County Museum."
Kerr explained that the founding parish building is part of and on display at the Ephrata museum.
Kerr has been pastor of the church for over four years, he said.
Parishioner Paul Klasen has been a member since he was born in 1927, and has been researching the history of the church for the centennial.
He said that he did not know about the first visiting priest to the area, the Rev. Aloysius Falchi, who would say Mass in parishioners' homes, until his research.
"He was a missionary up in Chewelah," Klasen said. "He administered mainly to the Indians. He was stationed in Gonzaga when he came down here for periodic visits That's the first I ever heard of him."
Klasen said he was also surprised to learn that the church was originally a part of the mission of Odessa.
"The church really grew considerably starting in 1940," he said. "Ephrata became the head parish. It broke off from Odessa and it comprised of Burke, Moses Lake, Soap Lake, Wilson Creek and Ephrata."
The church's current building in Ephrata was built in 1949.
Klasen said that the anniversary has been in the works since August.
"We've got a food committee, a publicity committee, entertainment committee," he said. "We're going to have a big display of various photographs and things."
One of those items of Klasen's interest includes a 1937 accounting document, in which every parishioner's financial contribution is listed by name.
Klasen said that many past members of the parish have been notified of the centennial.
"An effort has been made to send them invitations in hope that they will come," he said. "But they're spread all over and of course if the older people are sick, they can't make the trip down. But I know quite a few friends that are planning to make the trip down for the celebration."9925Ohme?T?USt. Rose of Lima CentennialMain_Server992O#062AUDT
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