What if these stones could talk? The story of Iglecia Santuario nuestra señora del socorro in San Andrés is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a testament to faith and history on this Caribbean island.
The Vicariato Apostólico de San Andrés y Providencia watches over this sacred place. It is a significant part of the Catholic Church in Colombia. The church’s story is intertwined with the archipelago’s spiritual journey.
In the early days, Catholic presence was sparse. The evangelization truly began in 1900. A German priest named Albert Stroebelle heard the islands lacked priests. He sought permission to travel here. He found the Baptist Church already established since 1844. Yet he began his evangelizing work.
Father Stroebelle’s efforts bore fruit. In Providencia, during Lent, he preached at a Baptist church. Invited by Pastor Eusebio Howard he spoke of Christ’s passion. The entire community converted to Catholicism. This included their pastor. They formed the first Catholic community. They dedicated it to Nuestra Señora de los Dolores. Their temple was the former Bethel Baptist church.
An American priest Timothy Saint John joined Father Stroebelle. He worked until 1910. After his death, the mission went to the Institute Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart. They sent two members who served from 1910 to 1913. These were Father John Joseph Albert and Father James Bartholomew.
The Archbishop of Cartagena saw the difficulty in managing this distant jurisdiction. In 1912 the Holy See established the Misión sui iuris. This separated the territory from the Archdiocese of Cartagena de Indias. English fathers from the St. Joseph’s Missionary Society of Mill Hill London were put in charge.
The missionaries arrived in 1913. They worked until 1926. The Sagrada Congregación de Propaganda Fide entrusted the mission to Capuchin fathers. They came from the province of Valencia Spain. They focused on catechesis education and social promotion.
In 1946 the mission became a Prefectura Apostólica. Capuchin sisters also helped. They worked in youth formation. They founded and directed the Colegio de la Sagrada Familia.
The first native priest Eusebio Howard was ordained in 1941. Later came fathers Martín Taylor José Archbold Benito Hufffington and Marcelino Hudgson.
On December 5 2000 the Prefectura Apostólica became the Vicariato Apostólico. Pope John Paul II made this change. Eulises González Sánchez became the first bishop. He took office on April 1 2001.
Jaime Uriel Sanabria took office as the second vicar on June 25 2016.
Today Iglecia Santuario nuestra señora del socorro stands as a symbol of faith. It represents the enduring spirit of the people of San Andrés. Its history reflects the blend of cultures and beliefs. This makes this island so unique. As you stand here consider the generations who have sought solace. They found community within these walls of Iglecia Santuario nuestra señora del socorro.