“Did you know that St Francis Catholic Church in Port of Spain wasn’t always consecrated?” This beautiful church standing before us has a fascinating history. It opened on Trinity Sunday May 25 1902. Archbishop Patrick Vincent Flood blessed it. However a debt of $7000 remained from the total cost of $20000. The Archbishop explained this to the congregation. He stated that consecration was impossible until the last penny was paid. Interestingly there’s no record of it ever being consecrated afterward. The church stands as a testament to the faith and perseverance of its parishioners.
St Francis Catholic Church wasn’t built on empty land. The land was donated in 1866. Vincent Jean Baptiste left it to Archbishop Joachim Louis Gonin. The land fronted the Laventille Circular Road. Foundations for a schoolhouse and chapel were already being erected. Even though Belmont was mostly government pasture until 1899. Father A Violette used a school chapel on this spot beginning in 1872. This was a small structure before the current church.
Father Vincent Sutherland took over in 1897. He planned the present church. Archbishop Flood praised its design. He stated that it was designed by an architect. This was a boastful statement at the time. Previous churches were designed by carpenters. The design came from Ashlin and Coleman of Dublin. They also designed the Archbishop’s residence. The construction of St Francis was a monumental task. Father Sutherland used a unique fundraising method. He held a series of annual two-day bazaars. They were held in the Princess Building from 1899 to 1902. A very unusual donation enhanced the fundraising. Pope Leo XIII donated two cameos. They were set in gold. One depicted the Blessed Lady the other the Holy Father. They were raffled at a bazaar. The bazaars helped complete the church in under a year. The Foundation Stone was laid in June 1901.
Father Colm Graham served for 20 years beginning in 1950. Many remember him. He was a strict priest. He didn’t tolerate improper attire at weddings. Brides with low necklines or sleeveless gowns faced his wrath. He would throw an altar cloth over them. Bridesmaids sometimes were refused entry. Father Graham’s standards were legendary. His actions were a topic of discussion each week.
In 1997 Father Graham wrote about St Francis. He compared its design to St Columba’s in Ireland. Both were designed by the same architects. He installed fans early in his tenure. He noted the thick walls and narrow windows were poorly suited for the climate. He added improvements. A sacristy was built to match the design. A large basement was created for the altar ladies. He also added a public address system Bavarian Stations of the Cross new lighting and a Hammond organ. Parishioners raised the money for these improvements.
Today St Francis continues to be active. A Support Group provides counseling. A hospitality team assists during services. An Outreach Programme reaches out to those who no longer attend. Family Day replaced Father Sutherland’s bazaars. This is a remarkable church. Its history reflects the faith determination and community spirit of its people. This is St Francis Catholic Church a place of rich history and enduring faith.