Holy Rosary Credit Union (HRCU) will celebrate its 50th Anniversary next year and to commemorate this milestone they have published an historical memoir. Written by Michael Berhendt, Comme D’Or (Good as Gold) chronicles the unlikely rise of this remarkable institution and explores the broader credit union movement and the rich Franco-American experience.
The 196-page book explains the origins, the trials and tribulations, and the commitment of the organization to its local community throughout its 50-year history. It tells how Holy Rosary Credit Union was established in 1962 by a group of parishioners of Holy Rosary Church. How business was conducted in the basement of the church on Sundays after Mass where funds were collected and reserved in a shoebox. The parishioners of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Rochester, originally founded HRCU to provide credit to French Canadian immigrants who had difficulty securing loans from local banks.
Now, fifty years later, HRCU has grown into a full-service community credit union with 17,000 members, over $170 million in assets and operates four branches in the surrounding communities. Several book signings are scheduled beginning December 15th, please visit HRCU.org for details.
Author Michael Berhendt will sign release copies of Comme D’Or which will be sold at a reduced price of just $10.00 (regularly priced at $14.99) during the holiday season, and all proceeds will go to local charities. According to Berhendt, “Many mythic stories - some charming, some outlandish - are captured: The elderly lady who borrowed $20 every September to play Beano at the Rochester Fair. The owner of a wrecking company, who had his truck hauled away for nonpayment, only to have it returned by the credit union the very next day, after he kvetched to everyone in town, and many others featuring local and well known members of the community.”
At its heart though, Comme D’Or is a valentine to Holy Rosary. The publication is timely, as many citizens now consider moving their savings from large banks into member-owned credit unions. Mr. Behrendt serves as the Rochester City Planner and is also the author of the acclaimed The Architectural Jewels of Rochester, New Hampshire: A History of the Built Environment.
also author of the acclaimed: The Architectural Jewels of Rochester, New Hampshire: A History of the Built Environment.
HRCU President and CEO, Brian Hughes said, “Michael Berhendt has done an exceptional job chronicling the history of our institution. He shows that HRCU’s dedication is to the community, to families and to education. This book project has been in the works for over a year and we’re all really excited to see it come to fruition to help kick off our fiftieth year anniversary celebration. We take pride in our compassionate and personalized service that has been responsible for our growth and the loyalty of our membership. For fifty years we have remained faithful to delivering greater access to and awareness of our products and services, and have never failed to donate and volunteer in the communities in which we serve. We know that we have made a difference in people’s lives and we look forward to our next fifty years of outstanding service and continued success – it’s exciting to have our history captured in a book that will also stand the test of time.”
Holy Rosary Credit Union was founded in 1962, on a shoestring and literally in a shoebox, operating out of the church basement on Sundays after Mass. Comme D’Or chronicles the unlikely rise of this remarkable institution, and explores the broader credit union movement and Franco-American experience.
The many mythic stories - some charming, some outlandish - are captured: The elderly lady who borrowed $20 every September to play Beano at the Rochester Fair. The owner of a wrecking company, who had his truck hauled away for nonpayment, only to have it returned by the credit union the very next day, after he kvetched to everyone in town. The Planning Board meeting when the proposed new building was reviewed - “The Monsignor, eyes blazing, turned left to look at the crowd and then right, as if to say, ‘Should any of you heathens so much as contemplate speaking against this project, then you and your entire family are going straight to Hell!’ ”
The telling is enlivened by the author’s frolicksome and sprawling vision. He arranges for cameos with Rocky Marciano, Marilyn Monroe, women in burqas, and Marvin Gaye, and riffs on permeable pavement, arachnophobia, and an unusually aggressive eggroll, all of which, of course, were inextricably connected to the credit union.
At its heart though, Comme D’Or is a valentine to Holy Rosary. The publication is timely, as many citizens now consider moving their savings from large banks into member-owned credit unions.
