On the site of the Church of the Holy Rosary was built a wooden schismatic Chapel and school, representing a schism in the Catholic Church, because of the opposition of Guyanese born Fr. de Ridder and the Irish priest Fr. Samuel Power to the Archbishop at the time for not condemning the government’s discrimination against the free coloured people.

Fr. Power was returned ‘to the bosom of the church’ in 1841. In 1866 plans were drawn up for a new chapel on the site of the schismatic chapel and opened in 1867. The chapel was designed to be built in stone in the shape of a Latin Cross. Because of the expanding Catholic community in that are, it was decided to build a new church. Work commenced in 1892. The architect was the able General Hernandez. Work stopped in 18956 and did not resume until 1904. A belfry was built and in 1906 two large bells from Lyons in France were installed. The building, without its towers, was completed in 1939. It was not until 11 November 1980, after all the debts had been paid, that the church was consecrated by Archbishop Anthony Pantin.

The church is considered the ‘crown jewel’ of Christian ecclesiastical architecture.

Other Known Name: The Rosary

Address: Corner Park & Charlotte Streets

Town/City: Port of Spain

Region: Port of Spain

Site Type: Cultural Heritage

Ownership: Private

Public Accessibility: Limited Access

Cultural Community:

Site Features: Places of Worship