Mt. Alvernia - The Hermitage

March 31, 2014

 

On Friday (3/28) we visited Mt. Alvernia, The Hermitage,  which is located just outside New Bight on Cat Island.  We visited this site when we were here last year, but that was a quick visit and we had more time to explore this time.

The Hermitage is the ‘retirement’ home of Father Jerome, an architect and priest, who designed and built many churches around the Bahamas. 

 

 

 

 

Born John Cecil Hawes in 1876, he first studied architecture before becoming an Anglican priest.  He was sent by his Bishop to the Bahamas to restore churches damaged in the hurricane of 1908.  His unique stamp of thick hurricane-proof walls and barrel-vaulted roofs can be seen in the churches he built (we have seen several).

 

He became a Catholic priest in his later life and continued building churches.  Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, here in New  Bight, was his last church.

 

 

Upon arrival in New Bight, he selected Comer Hill, reputedly the highest point in the Bahamas, for his retirement home/monastery.   

 

 

 

View of The Bight from The Hermitage

 

 A series of stone carvings, representing The Stations of the Cross, line the very steep path to the front of the building.   Joyce (and Tom) are glad that there is a less steep path descending from the building on the back side – easier to scamper up the rocks than down!

 

Jesus Falls a Second Time

Empty Tomb

 

 

While it is an impressive building, it was not a luxurious place to live, with very small rooms and low ceilings.

Fireplace/Cooking Oven

Well and storage cellar

On a quick sailing note, we have weathered two moderate fronts in the week since our arrival at Cat Island last Monday.    The Bight is not protected at all from the SW-W and we have had to move around to maximize our protection from the wind and waves.  But since Cat Island is one of our favorite places in the Bahamas, it is worth it!

 

 

Tom

Anchored New Bight, Cat Island