christianity

I am interested in how christianity came to the island of the Dominican Republic. I would appreciate any resources or information . Thank you.

Find a GOOD biography of Christopher Columbus and you will read that one of the reasons he wanted to go on his voyages was to evangelise those whom he would meet. Of course he wasn't planing on finding new people groups. Thus you have to look no further than Columbus.

Thank you for your help,Burmell. I sincerly appreciate it.

I hope that you realize that essentially all of the native peoples of the island no longer existed after a relativly small number of years.

I don't quite understand what you mean. I thought that if you born in the Dominican Republic that you would be a native. What kind of people are residing there now? I would like to know what religions still exist on the island today, for example are there any baptist or charismatics,pentecostal,catholics. What is the religion that most of the Dominicans follow? Thanks for your help. Any other resources would be appreciated.

This is content from the "Living in Santo Domingo" book:

Talking to God

Freedom of religion is enjoyed by all residents of the Dominican Republic. Although the choice of places where one can worship in English is not extensive, there is enough of a variety to cater to people of most religions.

One well-known church with English services is the Union/Episcopal Epiphany Church, located at Av. Independencia No. 253. This is also where the Helen Kellogg English-language lending library is located. The church offers services in English every Sunday at 9 am and in Spanish at 10:30 am. The 9 am service is led by the Union Church or the Episcopal Church on alternating weeks. There is also a Sunday School in English for children at 9 am, 10:30 for Spanish-speaking children. You may obtain more information by calling 689-2070.

Baptists in Santo Domingo are fortunate to have the First International Baptist Church, located at the corner of Av. Sarasota and Calle Higuemota in Bella Vista, within walking distance of the Embajador hotel. They offer Bible studies in English for children, youth and adults at 9:45 am every Sunday, and worship at 11 am. Services in English are held at 6 pm on Sundays and on Wednesdays a prayer meeting is held at 7 pm. The church sometimes arranges monthly sports events for children on Saturdays from 9 am to noon, and there is a Vacation Bible School in the summer. For more information, call 532-4963. The Baptist Church also runs a bookstore on 27 de Febrero, just east of Tokio Motors on Núñez de Cáceres. They sell books in English and Spanish, as well as religious items.

For those looking for non-denominational churches or other protestant churches, contact the Word of Faith Churches in Santo Domingo. One is called Congregación de Fe Cristiana. Attendance is close to 500 on Sunday mornings and services are conducted at 10 am in the Centro de Eventos y Exposiciones on the Malecón, and Wednesday evening services are at 7 pm in the Hotel Cervantes. The Pastor is a native of Santo Dominigo, Aquiles Azar. This church is affiliated with Faith Christian Fellowship International of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Mass is held on Sundays at the Santísima Trinidad Catholic Church, located behind Plaza Lincoln on 27 de Febrero (the last right turn before Abraham Lincoln as you head east). 10 am is the starting time for the mass. Tel. 565-3476.

The Jewish population of Santo Domingo is quite small, but there is an active temple known as the Hebrew Synagogue Center at Av. Sarasota No. 5. Friday night services are held at 8 pm in Hebrew, and English prayer books are available. Santo Domingo does not have a rabbi, although one may come for the high holy days’ services.

There are many religious groups which meet and hold services in Spanish, including Assemblies of God, Baptists, Muslims, Catholics, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Episcopalians (Anglicans), Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mennonites, Mormons, Pentecostals, Presbyterians, etc. There are even a number of churches which use sign language. Look in the Yellow Pages under “Iglesias," or check your local area. Many churches are involved in community service projects. If you are interested in helping, it is best to make contact through an acquaintance who can introduce you.

What Burmell means is that the original population that Columbus found there were quickly eradicated - mostly because "christianizing" them consisted of exploitation and slavery.

I would like to thank everyone who responded. I greatly appreciate it.The phone numbers that were listed did not include any area code. If you can give me some more details on this I would be grateful. Thank You very much.

All telephone numbers in the DR have the same area code: 809