In the days when development in the area hardly extended west of University Drive, Saint Bartholomew established in 1962 served Miramar’s Catholics with Monsignor Noel Fogarty as the first pastor. Mass was first celebrated in Miramar’s firehouse and enthusiastic parishioners formed groups, clubs, and outreach ministries before the 1964 groundbreakings for school and church buildings. The Sisters of Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus who came as refugees from Cuba oversaw the school for twenty-three years until 1988.

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When completed, the school building functioned as a gathering place for religious education classes and as a parochial school. Today, the school offers pre-kindergarten to eighth grades and continues to be a community space for evening meetings, including A.A., N.A and scouting activities. The convent vacated by the Sisters remains a busy place, the site for gatherings, retreats, and parish meetings.

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Parishioners support numerous ministries, including Respect Life, Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Mommy and Me, Legion of Mary and Knights of Columbus, among others. They serve the elderly, sick, grieving, the Spanish and Haitian communities. Spiritual enrichment programs nurture children and adults.