by the end of the school year in June. St. Dominic's grammar school, founded in 1952, had approximately 200 students, who needed to transfer to other schools in the area. Some of the staff members, especially the nuns will be transferring to St. Raymond's school which is located in Parkchester. Prior to its closing in the end of June 2011, a farewell Mass was held to commemorate the school's 59-year history. As of September 2015, the former St. Dominic's Catholic elementary school will be opened up as Public School 481, a school with grades K–5. Library The New York Public Library (NYPL)'s Pelham Parkway-Van Nest branch is located at 2147 Barnes Avenue. The branch opened in 1912 as one of NYPL's "Travelling Libraries", and between 1917 and 1968, moved to a series of permanent locations. The current building, which opened in 1968, has been known as the Van Nest or Van Nest Pelham branch through its history. Religious organizations Catholic The present location of St. Dominic's Church at 1739 Unionport Road was started in 1925 and was completed in May 1927. Msgr. Domenico Fiorentino was instrumental in the construction of the church. At the dedication mass on May 8, 1927, Cardinal Hayes officiated and was a guest of honor at the dinner held after the services. Preceding the dedication mass a procession moved from Van Nest Memorial Square to the church and was attended by many local organizations one in particular the Van Nest Recreation Club, which is still in existence today. Our Lady of Solace Church is located at 731 Morris Park Avenue Protestant denominations 7th Day Adventist Church is located at 800 Morris Park Avenue. Episcopalian, St. Martha's is located at 1858 Hunt Avenue. Lutheran, St.Luke's is located at 1722 Adams Street. Pentecostal, Van Nest Assembly of God is located at 755 Rhinelander Avenue. Jewish There was as well a significant Jewish population in the later part of the 19th and early part of the 20th century in Van Nest. The synagogue located at 1712 Garfield Street was built in 1905. The B'nai Jacob First Van Nest Hebrew Congregation was established in 1895 and by the early 1920s had upwards of 50 families, a religious school within the synagogue to accommodate 80 pupils, and services in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English. By January 1979, the First Van Nest Hebrew Congregation had disbanded and sold the property and building to