There are two things one immediately notices about the churches in the predominantly
Roman Catholic island of St Lucia, they are large and they are always open. These churches
stand out, they make a statement; I am here for you.
St Peter's Roman Catholic Church dominates the village of Dennery on the east coast
of St Lucia. This small fishing village extends back from a deep protected bay with the
uninhabited Dennery island seeming to guard the entrance to the bay. The entire village
seems as if to flow outward from the church. The commercial life of the village revolves
around fishing and St. Peter is the patron saint of fishermen. The church, which was built
in the late 18th century, towers above the town. Located on the aptly named Church Street
on a slight rise facing the sea, the church is surrounded by the small houses and shops of
the village with its narrow one lane streets pressed against the sea. The white and rust
coloured church is the most imposing structure for miles around.
The St Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Gros Islet is also on the
aptly named Church Street in the sleepy village of Gros Islet which comes alive every
Friday night for its weekly street party. Construction of the church at Gros Islet was
started in 1850 and completed in 1876. Unfortunately in 1906, an earthquake completely
destroyed the building and in 1927, the present church was built on the site of the old
church. When you enter the church your eyes are drawn to the high vaulted ceiling and as
you focus you realise that the ceiling is composed of thin strips of wood that somehow
look like the underside of a ship. The dark wooden pews and light streaming through the
coloured panes of the windows give the interior of this church an extremely peaceful
feel.
The Catholic Church at Anse La Raye with its imposing front, large statue of
Jesus on the Cross at the front entrance, and statue of Mary over the entrance, also
dominates the village of Anse La Raye. Located on a bend of the road that runs along the
sea front, this church started as a wooden structure in 1762. The structure was destroyed
in a hurricane in 1780 and after being rebuilt was destroyed by fire. In 1907 construction
of the present church started with the villagers donating their labour and providing the
stone used. The interior of the church with its wooden pillars, dark wood ceiling and
mural on its center wall exudes a sense of calm. The beautiful stone altar was imported
from France and its white stone contrasts wonderfully with the dark wood. The outside of
the church boundary wall has a mural some 150ft long depicting scenes from village life
which was donated and painted by the St Omer family.
The most magnificent of St Lucia's churches is however the Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception opposite the Derek Walcott Square in the capital Castries. As you
walk through the huge wooden doors, the dark wood pews and the overall atmosphere exudes
an air of tranquility. The magnificence of the overall space causes your eyes to be drawn
in various directions, from the paintings on the walls of the black saints done by a local
artist to the stained glass windows to the huge altar area where numerous prayer candles
are constantly lit. Flanking the altar and in the wings are various statues of Jesus, Mary
and the saints. As you walk through the Cathedral you notice the steel pillars with the
arches forming the frame of the building. Eventually your eyes are drawn to the high
vaulted ceiling which is composed of thin strips of wood and you realise that the entire
ceiling is a giant mural. Constructed in 1827, the Cathedral in Castries is open everyday
with people visiting to look or pray.
