St. Rose of Lima

Parish History

St. Rose of Lima's story begins in 1942, when Bishop Duane G. Hunt invited the Paulist Fathers north from the Uinta Basin to Davis County. After establishing St. Olaf's in Bountiful, the Paulists began celebrating Masses in trailers and at various sites around Layton. After WWII the growing population warranted a permanent parish. Bishop Hunt approved property on Church Street in 1946, parishioners broke ground on March 24, 1947, and the first church was dedicated on April 11, 1948, with Fr. James McLean, CSP, as the first pastor. Over the decades the parish expanded its facilities and, in 1986, purchased land on Chapel and Whitesides streets to build a new church. Groundbreaking for the present-day church took place in 1993 and the building was dedicated in 1994; its 117-foot cross/spire remains a Layton landmark visible from I-15.

Building the New Church (1988–1998)

The 1988 Building Fund Campaign, chaired by Dennis Hennessy, eventually raised more than $800,000. The architectural firm Sanders Herman (with Ray Bertoldi as project architect) designed the 18,000-square-foot complex, and R&O Construction built it. Bishop William K. Weigand approved the project, groundbreaking was held on August 7, 1993, and the spire was mounted on January 25, 1994. The parish moved into its new home in September 1994, and by July 1998 the debt was fully paid off.

Clergy & Pastoral Leadership

St. Rose of Lima is currently served by Pastor Fr. Gustavo A. Vidal (arrived August 3, 2022) and Parochial Vicar Fr. Oscar A. Marquina Romero. The parish's succession of pastors includes Fr. James McLean, CSP (first pastor), the Paulist Fathers (1942–1989), Monsignor Victor G. Bonnell (1989–2011), Fr. John Evans (interim, 2011), and Fr. Clarence J. Sandoval (2011–2022). Several deacons have also served the parish over the years, including Deacon Robert Quintana, Deacon John Weis, Deacon Manuel Velez, Deacon Willis Bassett, and Manuel Trujillo.

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith Formation at St. Rose of Lima serves children and teens in grades 1–8. Classes are offered in two Sunday sessions — 10:15–11:15 AM in English and 1:00–2:00 PM in Spanish. Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion is a two-year process beginning in 1st grade, with First Communion typically celebrated in 2nd grade. Confirmation is also a two-year process beginning in 7th grade and ending in 8th grade, requiring 20 hours of community service and an appropriate sponsor.

Youth Ministry

The parish nurtures young people through several programs. The Vincentian Marian Youth Group meets every other Tuesday at 7:00 PM and welcomes youth ages 9–12 and 13–18. The Youth Bible Study, led by Darrell Gronau, meets every Thursday from 7:00–8:00 PM in the Christian Formation Classroom for teens ages 12–17 — no prior Bible experience needed. The parish also houses the relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis, Maria Goretti, and José Luis Sánchez del Río as part of the diocesan Blessed Carlo Acutis Apostolate, which travels these relics throughout the diocese to inspire young Catholics.

Sacraments

The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments, with policies and preparation programs for each. Baptisms are celebrated the third Saturday of each month, with required parent/godparent preparation classes (English at 5:30 PM and Spanish at 7:00 PM on the third Friday in the Choir Room). First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are prepared through the Faith Formation program. Confirmation follows a two-year program for teens or OCIA for adults. Couples preparing for Matrimony must contact the parish office at least one year in advance and be registered for at least six months, per diocesan policy. Sponsor letters for Baptism or Confirmation require the requester to have been a registered parishioner for at least three months, to be 16+, and to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church.

Parish Ministries

Ministry at St. Rose of Lima is organized around four pillars: Worship, Spiritual Life, Community & Service, with the celebration of the Eucharist as the 'source and summit' of parish life. Volunteers serve in liturgical roles (Music, Altar Server, Eucharistic Minister, Hospitality, Lector) and in formation, community, social justice, and communications work. The Parish Pastoral Council coordinates all ministries, and new members are always welcome.

• Worship Ministry — Music, Altar Server, Eucharistic Minister, Hospitality, Lector
• Spiritual Life Ministry — Liturgy, Christian Formation, OCIA, Youth Group
• Community & Service Ministry — Community Ministry, Social Justice Ministry, Communications Ministry
• Sewing Angels — 30+ women sewing blankets, baby items, lap robes, and Smiley Bags for Catholic Community Services, Ogden Regional Medical Center, the Christmas Box House, the George Whalen Center, the VA Hospital, and local nursing homes
• Knights of Columbus

Get Involved & Register

New parishioners are warmly welcomed. Registration can be completed by downloading the parish registration form and emailing it to [email protected], or by stopping by the parish office Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Those interested in serving in any ministry can fill out the 'Get Involved' form on the parish website, and a ministry leader will follow up.

Visit & Contact

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church is located at 210 South Chapel Street, Layton, UT 84041. The parish office can be reached by phone at (801) 544-4269 or by email at [email protected]. The church's tall spire is visible from much of Layton, Kaysville, and Interstate 15, making it an easy landmark to find.