Holy Rosary Parish is a Catholic Community rooted in Faith, Hope and Love. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we strive to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and spread it to our growing and diverse community. We welcome and reach out to individuals and families through Worship, Evangelization, Christian Formation and Service to all God’s people.
Parish History
Holy Rosary Parish was established in 1936 and has grown alongside the Town of Milton for nearly a century. Its story, however, is part of a much longer Catholic presence in the area. Catholic families were worshipping in the Milton region during the early 1800s, and Milton’s first Roman Catholic church was built on Pine Street in 1859.
As the Catholic community grew, parishioners began worshipping in the building that later became the parish hall in 1953. The current church was completed in 1966. Its distinctive roof and bell tower have since become a familiar landmark in Milton.
Milton’s rapid growth brought many new families, cultures and traditions into the parish. In 2012, Saint Benedict Parish was established as Milton’s second Roman Catholic parish. Holy Rosary now primarily serves Catholics living north of Derry Road and remains the spiritual home of more than 7,000 families, together with several Catholic elementary schools and Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School.
Our Patroness: Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
Holy Rosary Parish is entrusted to the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. The Rosary is a prayerful meditation on the life, ministry, death and Resurrection of Jesus, contemplated with Mary as our guide.
The Church celebrates the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. The feast is connected with the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, when Pope Saint Pius V called Christians to pray the Rosary for peace and protection. The celebration was originally known as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory and later became the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Under Mary’s patronage, Holy Rosary Parish seeks to remain a welcoming community centred on Jesus Christ—a spiritual home where faith is celebrated, families are supported and every person is invited to grow in prayer, friendship and service.
Milestones at a Glance
- 1859: Milton’s first Roman Catholic church was built on Pine Street.
- 1936: Holy Rosary Parish was established.
- 1953: Worship began in what later became the parish hall.
- 1958: The present Martin Street property was acquired.
- 1966: The present church sanctuary was completed.
- 2012: Saint Benedict Parish was established as Milton’s second Catholic parish.
- Today: Holy Rosary serves more than 7,000 families in Milton.
Parish Schools
Our Lady of Victory
Holy Rosary
Saint Anthony of Padua
Saint Peter
Queen of Heaven
Bishop Reding Secondary School