Restoration of the Roman Catholic Sacred Heart Church

In the heart of the city, on Richmond Street, stands an architectural gem.  It is the Roman Catholic Sacred Heart Church.  The church was completed in 1882, from plans drawn by Louis Auguste de Jacques de Labastide (1846-1882). It is made from limestone, brick, stone and is a limestone English Gothic Revival church with ballast brick quoins and trims, featuring pointed arched stained-glass windows and entrances, and asymmetrical elevations.  The Church is recognized for its beautiful stained-glass windows and altar which have all remained intact.

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic 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.

This architectural gem is in need of restoration and repair.  While its stained-glass windows are recognized for their beauty, the interior walls of the Church are a mismatch of limestone, brick and cement.  There is no ceiling, so that when rain falls onto the galvanize roof it is difficult to hear the homilies being preached.  An overall of the sound system is necessary.

The spectacular main entrance doors need refurbishing to avoid rain entering into the Church.

The exterior of the Church requires landscaping, and the grotto of Our Lady, is not how we ought to honor the Blessed Mother.  The recent maintenance works saw the removal of trees growing on the roof, however, some pinnacles are in dire need of repair, to avoid falling concrete on cars parked and children in the school compound.