Nuestra Fe, Nuestra Voz: The Dominican Presence at Saint Rose of Lima Church
Faith, identity, and cultural pride in Washington Heights, NYC.
By CUNY Dominican Studies Institute
Jhensen Ortiz, CUNY Dominican Studies Institute Librarian, Dana Peña, Intern Smithsonian YAP
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Saint Rose of Lima Church
Today, Saint Rose of Lima Church, located in the Washington Heights neighborhood of NYC, continues to serve as a vibrant spiritual, cultural, and social hub for its local community. Beyond its religious services, it offers programs, gatherings, and community support.
This spirit of unity and shared purpose has been at the heart of Saint Rose of Lima since 1970, when it first opened its doors to welcome and serve the neighborhood.
A Conversation Outside the Church - Normandía Maldonado (1983) by Normandía MaldonadoCUNY Dominican Studies Institute
A Dominican anchor in Upper Manhattan
By the 1970s, Saint Rose of Lima Church became a vital space for Dominican worshippers, community events, and cultural affirmation in Washington Heights.
Director Manolo López at Saint Rose of Lima Church, ca. 1980s. From the collection of Normandía Maldonado, CUNY Dominican Studies Institute Archives.
Celebrating International Mothers with Dance and Song. From the collection of: Normandía Maldonado Collection, CUNY Dominican Studies Institute Archives
Under the leadership of Manolo López, the Santa Rosa de Lima Choir expanded its reach beyond the parish, performing at community festivals, parades, and civic celebrations across New York City.
Honoring Duarte at Saint Rose of Lima (1982-01-31) by Juan A. PaulinoCUNY Dominican Studies Institute
Honoring Duarte, elevating identity
In 1982, Saint Rose of Lima Church hosted a memorial mass for Juan Pablo Duarte, a founding father of the Dominican Republic, highlighting the parish’s role in honoring Dominican civic identity within the local community.
The steps of Saint Rose of Lima transformed into a performance space during the Dominican Day Parade’s folklore festival—welcoming artists, families, and traditions that defined neighborhood life.
Voices silenced, spirit ignited
In 1983, church leaders suspended Spanish-language masses and removed the choir. Dominican and other Latinx parishioners protested, demanding their rightful place in the church they had helped shape.
Singing for a Better World - Saint Rose of Lima Choir - 1st Dominican Day Parade (1982-08-15) by Normandía MaldonadoCUNY Dominican Studies Institute
A lasting legacy
Despite moments of exclusion, Saint Rose of Lima Church and its choir nurtured a Dominican vision of faith grounded in justice, culture, and community.
Today, Saint Rose of Lima Church remains a vibrant center of faith and community life in Washington Heights, continuing to welcome and inspire generations of Dominican and Latino families.
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