Join us as we celebrate 150 Years of Service!

1876-2026

Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Invite you to celebrate 150 Years of Service.

Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Invite You to Join us in Celebration 150 Years of Service.

The Dominican Sisters of Sparkill are part of the worldwide Dominican Family founded by Saint Dominic in the 13th century. Since our founding by Alice Mary Thorpe in 1876 to care for destitute women and children in New York City, we have continued to serve the people of New York. In response to needs in other places, we went to Missouri (1900), Pakistan (1958), Montana (1973), South America (1979), Botswana and Muan, Africa (1979/1983), Arizona (1990), Lithuania (1995), and many other parts of the United States to witness to the power of God’s presence and love working in us and in our evolving world. As a Congregation, we are filled with gratitude to God for blessing our ministry for 150 years.  We continue to be attentive to the cries of the most vulnerable and the suffering people of our time and have assisted in Haiti, Ukraine, and the southern border of the US. Our more than 240 Sisters and Associates are committed to bringing the Good News of the Gospel to others by the witness of our lives and compassionate service. We invite you to join us in prayer and celebration throughout our Jubilee Year.

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150 Moments

Join us as we celebrate the many moments that make up our history. Moments will be added throughout the year.

1872

Arrival of
Thorpe sisters

1876

Founding of
Congregation

1880-1881

New beginnings
after death
of founder

1880s

A time of growth for the Community and its ministry

1884

A move to anew home inSparkill, New York

1886

St. Benedict’sHome
for Children

1890

The early daysof educationalministry

1896

The Community
continues to grow

1899

Fire destroys
St. AgnesConvent
and Home

1900/1911

The beginnings of ministry in Missouri

1902

St. Agnes Convent and Home rebuilds

1906

Incorporation into the Dominican Family

1909

Growth of ministry in Missouri

1912

Opening more schools in New York

1914

Dedication of Sacred Heart Chapel, Sparkill, NY

1920

Commitment to education for Sisters

1922

Opening of St. Agnes School, Sparkill, NY

1923

Opening of Aquinas Hall High School

1926

Ministry of St. Rose’s Settlement

1931/1932

Villa St. Joseph in Saugerties, NY

1936

St. Agnes Novitiate and Rosary Villa

1943

Beginning of Siena Hall, Wilmington, DE

1946

Cardinal McCloskey Home and School, White Plains, NY

1946

Thorpe Secretarial School, NYC

1947

Villa St. Dominic in Glasco, NY

1951

75th Anniversary of the Congregation

1951

St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY 

1955

Saints Peter and Paul School, Easton, MD 

1957

Albertus Magnus High School, Bardonia, NY

1958

The Sisters take on a new mission in Pakistan

1962-1965

Second Vatican Council brings renewal

1962-1965

Second Vatican Council Speaks to Religious

1964

Rosary Academy, Sparkill, NY 

1967

Dedication of Dominican Convent in Sparkill, NY

1968

Our First Pakistani Novices

1973

Affirmation of a Congregational Goal

1973

Extending our reach to Montana

1975

New forms of ministry at Motherhouse

1975

Welcoming Sister refugees from Viet Nam

The Dominican Sisters of Sparkill live their mission as joyful women of prayer and compassion who proclaim the Reign of God through ministry for justice and reverence for all creation.

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