Our History

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Community was founded in March 1946, named in honor of the 17th-century South American saint known for her piety, love, and dedication to the poor and sick. At its inception, there was no church building or land, but 110 families gathered for Mass in a school auditorium on West 21st Street or a fire station on West 34th Street. Rev. Paul C. Pieri was appointed as the first pastor.

That same year, a tract of land between 34th and Wakefield on Brinkman Street was purchased, with two additional land purchases expanding the property. Plans for a parish complex were immediately drawn up, but post-war government restrictions delayed construction until April 1947. Inclement weather and a shortage of materials further delayed progress, and the complex was completed in August 1948.

On August 30, 1948, Bishop Christopher E. Byrne, assisted by 45 priests, dedicated and blessed the new buildings on what was then the Feast Day of St. Rose of Lima. The original complex consisted of a rectory, an auditorium (now the East Hall) that also served as the church, five classrooms, a cafeteria, and a convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, who helped establish St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. The school opened in September 1948 with 185 students and continues to offer a quality Catholic education focused on the holistic formation of mind, body, and spirit.

In August 1961, construction began on the current church complex, with the cornerstone being laid on July 1, 1962. Bishop Wendelin J. Nold dedicated the church on August 30, 1962, marking the Feast Day of St. Rose of Lima. The church’s contemporary architecture, highlighted by a cross-topped bell tower rising 63 feet, quickly became a local landmark. The sanctuary’s green and gray ledge stone walls, German-made stained glass windows, and hand-carved Stations of the Cross (from Italy) make the church distinctive.

Msgr. Pieri passed away in September 1969, and Rev. John J. Ruddy was appointed as pastor but tragically passed away less than a month later. In January 1970, Rev. Joe Crosthwait became pastor and served the parish for most of the next decade. Rev. Rudy Beranek succeeded him in 1979 and led efforts to build the Parish Activities Building, which was dedicated in August 1987. This addition includes the parish and school offices, meeting rooms, and the West Hall, which now serves as a gymnasium and auditorium.

In 1989, Msgr. Tom Wendland became pastor and oversaw the purchase of two residences across the street, converting them into a rectory. He also led a capital campaign to build the Early Childhood Center and renovate the old rectory into the Fellowship Center, while making other improvements such as new lighting and sound systems for the church. Msgr. Wendland passed away on December 26, 1998.

Rev. Clint Ressler served as interim pastor until Msgr. James B. Anderson joined St. Rose in June 1999. Msgr. Anderson led the parish until August 2007, when Rev. Clint Ressler returned to serve as pastor. Rev. Ressler spearheaded a capital campaign that resulted in the construction of Pre-K school wings, the new Parish Hall, an expanded Early Childhood Center, and the purchase of property for the Food Pantry. He served until May 2015.

In July 2015, Rev. Rafael Becerra, affectionately called “Father Rafa,” joined St. Rose of Lima Catholic Community. Under his leadership, the parish added the Education and Formation Building to house the school and youth formation programs. His outreach to the Hispanic community has created a more unified parish.

Fr. Linh Nguyen is the current Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Community. He leads our growing and increasingly diverse parish of approximately 1,600 registered families. With numerous ministries, youth formation, educational programs, leadership councils, and spiritual services, St. Rose of Lima continues to nurture faith and serve others. We invite you to join us and become part of this vibrant community.