Holy Rosary Alumni & Friends Association

Holy Rosary Institute

Our Vision

Phillip Louis Keller was born in 1866 at Roxheim, Rhenis Vavaria, near the city of Worms.  From his boyhood up he entertained a desire to devote his life to missionary work in Africa.  But, Divine Providence guided him to America.

Unable to pursue his lifelong dream, Phillip Keller, arrived in Levenworth, Kansas, in August of 1884 where he learned of the work of Father Francis M. Huhn who intended to “work towards the organization of a band of priests who would devote themselves to work among the Negroes of America.” Here young Keller saw his opportunity of carrying out what he missed by not being able to go to Africa.

Ordained on December 21, 1889, Fr. Keller assumed charge of the colored people of Galveston in early 1890.  During the years following Fr. Keller came to conclusion that a boarding school for the industrial education of colored children would be a great aid to his work.  He laid the plans for such an institution, and for its support started to publish the “Colored Man’s Friend.”  1n 1989 Fr. Keller was able to open an experimental industrial school.  Its success encouraged him to make further efforts “towards the establishment of a larger and permanent institution.”

The New Vision

H.R.I. and Friends, Inc. envisions restoring Holy Rosary Institute to its prominence and historic status in the community.  Holy Rosary Institute will be a center for economic, education, multicultural, social, and spiritual development in the community, the Diocesan area, the state, nation, and the world.