our history
We Live to Glorify God in All We Do
The history of St. Rose de Lima Church and school are interrelated and it goes back over one hundred years. In 1868, the first school in Bay St. Louis for African Americans opened with twenty-four black children in attendance! It was a two-story white building, originally located on Second Street. On August 28, 1925, the school became St. Rose de Lima Church.
St. Rose de Lima is still an extremely active church and parish. Home to one of the best Southern Gospel Choirs in the country, its altar features an extraordinary mural of an African Christ figure rising before a live oak tree.
Basic Doctrines
Our Mission
- Faith Formation: To deepen the faith of our parish community through prayer, worship, and education.
- Community Service: To serve and uplift our local community by providing support, outreach, and assistance to those in need.
- Fellowship: To foster a welcoming and inclusive environment where all parishioners feel valued and connected through fellowship and shared faith.
- Discipleship: To encourage active discipleship among our members, empowering them to live out their faith in everyday life.
- Stewardship: To promote responsible stewardship of our resources, talents, and time in service to God and our community.
- Spiritual Growth: To facilitate opportunities for spiritual growth and enrichment through programs, retreats, and communal activities.