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.
Details
- Designer: Gordon Drummond
- Printer: Quest Colour Security Printers Ltd (House of Questa)
- Process: Lithography
- Paper:
- Watermark: 14
- Perf: 14.5 x 14
- Cylinders:
- 1A (Salmon-pink), 1A (Black)
- 1C (Salmon-pink), 1C (Black)
- Sheet:
- Quantity:
Cylinder Numbers
