Our History
In July 2012, The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings combined three smaller parishes operating on (or near) the Southside of Billings into one and Mary Queen of Peace was born. The consolidation was necessary because of many factors but mostly because of the decline of the number of priests, the economic ability to maintain three parishes and the clergy ability to sustain the necessary services to its parishioners. The history of each of those individual Parishes are below:
Our Lady of Guadalupe parish was a dream of the large Spanish speaking community of Billings South side. A faith community where they would freely speak and sing praises in their native language was essential. In 1953 their dream was realized and the church was called Our Lady of Guadalupe and it was located on the South side across from South Park. This was the perfect location for the large migrant population that lived in this area. The annual Mexican Fiesta was instrumental in financing the new church.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Little Flower Parish was established in June of 1931 in the area south of downtown. This parish was the second Catholic church in Billings and included a rectory, and a school building which followed a few years later. This Parish now serves as the temporary home of Mary Queen of Peace parish.
Church of the Little Flower
Holy Rosary Parish was founded in June of 1951. Prior to the building of this church, Mass for these parishioners was held at Billings Central High School with daily mass being celebrated in one of the classrooms. The church was destroyed by fire in 1955 and was immediately rebulit and reopened about six months later.
Holy Rosary
The timeline of our three parishes.