Save Our Sacred Heritage
The parishes of our nation hold historical and cultural significance to the various communities of Trinidad and Tobago. By helping to support any of the ongoing Archdiocesan restoration efforts, registered companies in Trinidad & Tobago are eligible for a 150% Tax Allowance on donations up to $1 million TTD to any of the five churches listed below:
Individuals are eligible for a 15% Tax Deduction by registering their donation as a Deed of Covenant. Click here for more information, or contact us using the form below for assistance.
Restoration of St Francis RC Church (Belmont)
On May 25, 1902, Trinity Sunday, Archbishop Patrick Vincent Flood O.P. solemnly blessed and opened the Roman Catholic Church of St Francis Of Assisi in Belmont.
Over the years, the beautiful St. Francis Catholic Church, Belmont, has developed a number of structural problems ranging from termite infestation to porous walls. So severe were the structural issues that the building was deemed unsafe for use since 2010, leaving the Belmont parish community without a church for almost 12 years.
The parish community has been actively engaged in a number of fundraising events, all geared towards the much-needed restoration for this national icon, and are eagerly awaiting the day where they can finally practice in their beautiful church once again.
Restoration of St Joseph RC Church (St. Joseph)
In 1592, the town of San José de Oruña, was established as the first capital of Trinidad under Spanish Colonial times, later becoming the town of St. Joseph we know today. And it was in the first capital of Trinidad where our very first Catholic church was built.
It remains one of the oldest and most recognizable landmarks in Trinidad & Tobago, and carries with it a rich history dating back to the colonial era, and stands as a firm reminder of the persistence & resilience of the Catholic faithful. A church is more than an architectural structure - they are a reflection of the communities and generations who they serve.
The present church and was rebuilt in 1815 on the same site on which first church was erected 427 years ago, after the first building tragically perished in fire.
As a significant national heritage site, St. Joseph RC Church holds historical, social and cultural significance for Trinidad and Tobago. For example, the Church guarded the remains of three Capuchin friars, the Martyrs of Arena, from 1699 until 1989 when they were transferred to the Church of St. Raphael. These are the only recognized martyrs buried in Trinidad. The cemetery on the Church grounds also boasts many memorial plaques dating back centuries, including what is believed to be the oldest gravestone in all of Trinidad & Tobago, dated 1682.
Restoration of Our Lady of Montserrat
The Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat is located in the tiny village of Tortuga in the Central Range of Trinidad, perched high up on a ridge overlooking the Gulf of Paria. Capuchin missionaries found this location and built a Mission which eventually became the only remaining wooden Catholic church in Trinidad and Tobago. It is the third nationally recognized Marian shrine in the Archdiocese of Port-of-Spain, the 123rd heritage site listed on the National Trust listing, and the only Catholic Church named after Our Lady of Montserrat in the English-speaking Caribbean.
In 2004, restoration projects were put in place to restore some of the major artworks of the church, including the beautiful stained-glass windows which line the church, and the original antique paintings of the Stations of the Cross dated at over 150 years old. A new restoration phase was announced in 2019 which continues to this day and is focused on restoring the foundational elements of the church that have begun to deteriorate past their “shelf-life”, such as the historical wooden elements of the church that have become worn with time and battles with mother nature.
Restoration of the Roman Catholic Sacred Heart Church
In the heart of the city, on Richmond Street, stands the Roman Catholic Sacred Heart Church. Completed in 1882 from plans drawn by Louis Auguste de Jacques de Labastide (1846-1882), it is a limestone English Gothic Revival church with ballast brick quoins and trims, featuring pointed arched windows and entrances, and asymmetrical elevations. The Church is recognized for its beautiful stained-glass windows and altar, and stands as an architectural gem and a pillar of history.
Sacred Heart RC Church, also known as the “English Church,” appears to have been constructed with the intent to serve English-speaking Catholics during a time in which the Catholic community was predominantly French in origin and language in Trinidad. The Church retains its architectural integrity and possesses strong individual architectural merit.
Today, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church continues its original function as a religious facility catering to workers in the area who frequent mid-day service throughout the work week. Restoration efforts are currently ongoing.
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (P.O.S)
The seat of the Archdiocese of Port-of-Spain. Completed in 1832, ranked as a Minor Basilica in 1851, and built using limestone from Laventille Hills. Restored in 2015, however ongoing maintenance and repairs are needed for this historic site.
The Archbishop’s Appeal was the crucial component in completing the restoration of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception from 2012-2015. The Appeal raised over $62M TTD ensuring that the restoration of the Cathedral continued nonstop and providing necessary funds for other church projects. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is an historical site of major significance to the people of Trinidad and Tobago. Constructed over 160 years ago, this symbolic landmark has seen the passage of time and having been built on the water table was in need of dire repair. Local craftsmen, artists and consultancy teams of Trinidadians came together to ensure that this important edifice was restored to its former grandeur. Local craftsmen were trained on the importance and use of restorative techniques, ensuring that valuable transfer of knowledge is passed on to future tradesmen. The pews, chandeliers and decorative moldings in the Cathedral are all crafted by local artists.
While the primary restoration was completed in 2015, ongoing maintenance & repairs are needed to preserve this historic site for future generations.
We'd love to hear from you
We are always more than happy to hear from and chat with members of the community. Our doors are always open and we always have coffee brewing, so feel free to visit, call, or send a message!
EMAIL: APPEAL@CATHOLICTT.ORG
PHONE: (868) 622-2691
