About Good Counsel
Many people call Our Lady of Good Counsel in Little Rock the "Stained Glass Parish." Truth be told it's not because of our stained glass windows, though we do have several. It's because of our diversity. And our unity.
OUR HISTORY:
1894 - 2007 Celebrating Over One Hundred Years of Service
1894-1906
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish was organized in 1894 when Bishop Edward Fitzgerald authorized formation of a new parish for the expanding Capitol Hill area of western Little Rock. The first Good Counsel Church was built and dedicated that same year. The site chosen at Ninth and Marshall Streets was to remain the location of the Church for over 70 years. School facilities were also developed at that time and residential arrangements were made for the pastor and two Sisters of Mercy who staffed the school. Father P. F. Horan was the first pastor and served until 1906.
1906-1920
Following Father Horan's transfer to Fort Smith, the parish was administered for three years by several priests, each working under temporary assignments. While under the Pastorate of Father P. J. Shanahan from 1909-1913, the parish continued to grow and a combination School-Parish Hall was constructed at Ninth and Bishop Streets. Father P. H. Boyle succeeded Father Shanahan and served as pastor for seven years, until 1920.
1920-1946
Good Counsel received as its new pastor in 1920 Father Herman H. Wernke, who was to serve for nearly 26 years. As the parish grew, the need for a larger church facility became more pressing and a building fund was initiated under Monsignor Wernke's guidance. Following Monsignor Wernke's death in 1946, Bishop John B. Morris appointed Monsignor John B. Scheper as pastor of Good Counsel Parish. Monsignor Scheper was to serve almost 25 years.
1946-1956
The building initiated by Monsignor Wernke has prospered and the parish made plans for construction of a new church. Additional property at Ninth and Marshall was acquired, then in 1949 the basement portion of the new church was completed, and the old wood frame original church was razed.
Construction was halted on the new church and in the early 1950's the parish purchased two city blocks which were more centrally located within the parish boundaries. This property, bounded by 12th, Jackson, 14th & Van Buren Streets, is the present location of all church and school facilities. Construction began on a new school, convent, gymnasium and cafeteria in 1954 and these buildings were opened for occupancy in January, 1956.
1956-1971
From the time of its completion until 1961, the gymnasium served as the place for daily Mass for the school children, while all other services were conducted at the old location.
In 1961, residence facilities were rented nearby for the pastor and his assistants, and all church furnishings were moved into the gymnasium so that all services could be conducted there. The completed basement of the proposed church at Ninth and Marshall continued to be used as Parish Hall. The school was again expanded and the parish's first permanent rectory was constructed. It was occupied on Thanksgiving Day in 1963.
In the meantime, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish still did not have its church, which had been planned for over 20 years. However, in 1968, the people of Good Counsel were asked for and generously gave their financial support for the construction of a new church. After months of careful planning, groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted in May 1969, and the blessing of the new church, by the Most Reverend Albert L. Fletcher, was on Sunday, April 19, 1970.
1971-1986
Father Louis J. Janesko succeeded Monsignor Scheper as pastor in 1971. During his Pastorate the parish debt for the new church was retired in 1977, two years ahead of schedule.
In August, 1978, Father James P. Reynolds was named pastor by the Most Reverend Andrew J. McDonald. He was assisted by Fathers Royce Thomas and Richard Oswald. Father Reynolds passed away on October 22, 1982 and his assistant at that time, Father Scott Marczuk, carried on the parish activities under the administration of Father Gaston Hebert of Christ the King Parish.
Father James Mancini assumed his duties as pastor in June, 1983. He was assisted by Fathers John Baltz, Peter Borovec and James Schratz.
Bishop Andrew J. McDonald named Father Bernard Malone as Pastor in June, 1985 who was assisted by Fathers Andy Smith and Steve Binz. Father Malone left Our Lady of Good Counsel in June 1986.
1986-1999
Father Thomas Keller assumed his duties as pastor in June 1986. He was assisted by Father Warren Harvey, who was also the administrator of St. Augustine's Church in North Little Rock. An addition to the school was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1988. The debt on the school addition was paid off early due to the generous gift of the Maude Craft estate. Father Harvey continued to serve the parish until May 1999 when Father Dennis M. Wood was assigned as assistant pastor.
2000-2004
On March 6, 2000, the Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain was ordained as Bishop for the Diocese of Little Rock. In June 2000, Father Greg Luyet assumed duties as pastor, with Father Martin Osuji as associate pastor until 2002. Father Jack Vu served as associate pastor following his ordination in 2002.
2004-present
In 2004, the Society of the Divine Word assumed pastoral responsibility for Our Lady of Good Counsel Church with Father Brendan Murphy SVD assigned as pastor. Father Murhpy was succeeded as pastor by Father Richard Zawadzki SVD in 2005. Father Ludger Joseph Jessing SVD served as associate pastor until 2006.
