In February 1940, Monsignor John Hawes, an Englishman, purchased eight acres on the top of Como Hill, Cat Island for £35. Hawes was a qualified architect before entering the church, and did a great deal of architectural work for the church throughout the Bahamas.
Within the week of arriving on the island, Hawes commenced building The Hermitage, which started with clearing a water catchment area by carving out of the sandstone near the summit, a water cistern domed with cement and capable of holding 2000 gallons.
The next structure to be built was The Oratory of the Holy Spirit. It was constructed in the style of ancient Celtic oratories in Ireland. It was completed on 9 May 1940, with the first Mass celebrated there on Pentecost Sunday.
On August 2, 1940, Hawes commenced construction of the living quarters of the Hermitage. Hawes completed these in late September after which he commenced work on the tower, which was completed by Christmas. The guest cell and connecting cloister were completed in 1942.
Como Hill was renamed to Mount Alvernia after La Verna, the hill in Tuscany where St. Francis of Assisi received the Wounds of the Cross.
Stamp Releases
1978 Architectural Heritage – 18c The Hermitage Cat Island
As a lifelong stamp collector, one of my main interests is religious architecture, especially cathedrals, monasteries, churches, mosques, temples, where (hopefully) humans seek spiritual solace.
I was surprised when I read about Mgr John Hawes – and by curiosity, I wanted to see if a postal administration did honour Father Hawes or one of his realizations. This is how I found your site – and the presentation of a Bahamas stamp commemorating Hawes’ Hermitage on Cat’s Island. I make it my goal to acquire that particular stamp.
(Please forgive my written English – I am a French-Canadian from Quebec, Canada and I usually express myself in French.)
Thank you for this discovery. Ben…..
For your information:
This weekend in Hamilton, Ontario, the 110th Grey Cup game of the Canadian Football League: Montreal Alouettes, vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Canadian Football is a tighter version of American football. The Grey Cup game is one of the great yearly Canadian sport moments. They are forecasting a great day: 4oC and sunny. Some of these games were played in snow-storms….
See Canada, Scott no 2567a to 2576, 2598….