Our History
Inspired by the spirit of our founder St. Dominic de Guzmán, we join the worldwide Order of Preachers (OP) carrying out an 800-year mission: to praise, to bless and to preach.
Beginning in 1853, four Sisters from Regensberg Germany traveled to New York, responding to the call “Sisters, come and teach.”
On October 25, 1877, after a three-day journey by train, coach, boat, and wagon from New York, five Dominican Sisters arrived in Traverse City, Michigan. Following in the footsteps of our patron Saint Dominic de Guzman, only God could know how our lives would ripple outward.
Our life in Christ and in Community is nearly 140 years rich. The map highlights the many cities and rural villages where Sisters founded and operated schools, and taught children to read, write, and figure. More, they influenced and helped form the communities in which they lived and ministered.
We hope you enjoy some highlights from the history of our Congregation below. If you want to delve deeper for study or research purposes or find a favorite teacher or relative among our Sisters, we invite you to explore our Archives.