History 

On Sunday, February 18, 1990, at 10:00 a.m., families from the surrounding community gathered to celebrate the Eucharist at the Malcolm Ross Senior Center—an area known locally as “the three towers.” The Mass, presided over by Fr. Oscar Castañeda, was offered especially for those who did not have transportation to attend church elsewhere. That day marked the beginning of a mission under the Marian patronage of Our Lady of Altagracia.

From the very beginning, the mission was built on sacrifice and unity. The first celebrations were simple yet filled with faith: a portable altar, a lectern, and a processional cross crafted by José Santilla were all the community had. Monsignor Castañeda often recalls that “everything began with the Dominican community.” Families prepared meals, volunteers donated food, and many offered their time to assemble and dismantle the temporary church each week.

The mission quickly became more than a place for Sunday Mass. Devotion to the Virgin flourished, confessions were heard in quiet corners of the property, and community life unfolded alongside faith—sometimes even with neighbors playing dominoes nearby. Claudia Ortega, one of the mission’s first religious vocations, remembers that “La Altagracia is a very united community where the desire to serve has always stood out.”

The first feast of Our Lady of Altagracia was celebrated on January 21, strengthening the deep Dominican presence that continues to shape the parish today. Through evangelization and community outreach, the mission steadily grew. Yet the priests and faithful longed for a permanent home, as the space they used was only available on Sundays.

Fr. José Luis Menéndez later found a potential property, but it lacked the facilities and parking needed for a parish community. When he approached the Archdiocese to request a $200,000 loan, the request was denied. Despite the disappointment, the community’s determination did not fade.

The Dream of a Permanent Church

Over the years, the parish continued saving and planning for a permanent church building. The original construction project was estimated at $1.5 million, and the community began working toward making that dream a reality.

When construction preparations began, unexpected challenges emerged. Engineers determined that the ground required significant stabilization before any building could safely begin, adding substantial new costs. Soon after, the South Florida construction boom ended, dramatically changing the economic landscape and the total cost of the project.

Today, restarting the building process requires $1.5 million, and completing the full project is now estimated at $5.5 million. Through the generosity and faith of the community, the parish has already raised $440,000 toward this goal.

Moving Forward in Faith

For more than three decades, the Our Lady of Altagracia community has worshiped, served, and grown together with unwavering hope. What began with a portable altar and a small gathering of faithful families has become a vibrant parish rooted in devotion, sacrifice, and unity.

The dream of a permanent church continues—built not only with bricks and mortar, but with the faith, perseverance, and generosity of the people who have carried this mission from its very first Mass to the present day.

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