The growth of Hispanic ministry in the Diocese of Virginia has been a remarkable journey, deeply tied to broader social and demographic shifts, particularly in Northern Virginia. Beginning as a small outreach effort at St. George’s, Arlington, in the 1970s, it expanded rapidly in response to increasing immigration from Latin America. Spearheaded by early pioneers like the Rev. S. Ivan Ramirez, the Diocese worked to meet the spiritual and practical needs of a growing Hispanic population. Over the years, this ministry has evolved to reflect the dynamic changes within the community and the Church’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
Hispanic Ministry Expansion: A Response to Immigration Growth
Hispanic ministry in the Diocese saw significant growth in the late 1970s and early 1980s, mirroring the broader demographic changes happening across Northern Virginia. This period coincided with an increase in Hispanic immigration to the United States, driven by a variety of factors including changes to U.S. immigration laws, and growing education and job opportunities. Along with the expansion of construction and agricultural industries in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, many immigrants with degrees from their home countries have come to pursue career opportunities in D.C. and higher education in Virginia.
By the 1980s, Hispanic populations in Northern Virginia had surged. Census data from 1980 shows that Fairfax County’s Hispanic population quadrupled over the previous decade, rising to over 19,500 people. Regionally, the Hispanic population in Northern Virginia grew from 14,515 in 1970 to over 37,550 by 1980. This growth reflected both economic migration and a rise in refugees from politically unstable countries in Latin America.
In response, the Diocese of Virginia named the Rev. S. Ivan Ramirez its first Diocesan Hispanic Missioner to assist in expanding its Hispanic ministry, focusing not only on spiritual care but also on providing legal and social services to immigrant communities.
La Iglesia de San Jose and the Growth of Spanish Language-Specific Congregations
Founded in the late 1970s at St. George’s, Arlington, La Iglesia de San Jose emerged as a pioneering effort to serve the growing Hispanic community in the Diocese. The Rev. S. Ivan Ramirez’s leadership as Vicar fostered spiritual and communal growth through Spanish-language services, adult education, and community outreach. Over the years, San Jose became a model for other Spanish-language congregations that developed in the region, contributing significantly to the expansion of Hispanic ministry within the Diocese and reflecting the diverse tapestry of faith in Northern Virginia. A current list of active Latino ministries in the Diocese can be found on our website.
Hispanic Clergy Milestones: Shaping the Diocese
While it’s difficult to definitively identify the first Hispanic priest in the Diocese, evidence suggests that the Rev. S. Ivan Ramirez was among the earliest. Born in Temuco, Chile, on February 4, 1938, he was raised in the Baptist Church and immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1970s. Ramirez began his Episcopal journey at St. George’s, Arlington, where he was ordained to the priesthood and began the Spanish-language ministry which became La Iglesia de San Jose. In his ministry as diocesan Hispanic Missioner, he worked with several Spanish-language congregations and launched Noticiero Hispano, a newsletter focusing on the Diocese’s Hispanic community.
In 2019, the role of Archdeacon was developed to support the growing Community of Deacons in the Diocese of Virginia. This role was introduced to support the bishop in growing the ministry of the Diaconate and help deacons discern the focus of their ministries with the churches of this diocese. Among the current archdeacons is the Rev. Frederico Garza, the first Hispanic deacon to hold this role. His leadership helps to ensure that the ministry of deacons are effectively carried out and that all voices within the Diocese are represented and heard.