Our Heritage – A look at some old churches of SVG

St. Vincent and the Grenadines counts with some very unique architecture displayed in churches across the nation. Here, we offer a glimpse of just a few of them, with some brief anecdotes.

The Kingstown Methodist Church (left) was contracted by free men after slavery and has a small belfry at its southern end. The bell though fell into disrepair and is currently out of use.{{more}}

The building which now houses the Seventh Day Adventist Church at the corner of Sharpe Street was the Scott’s Kirk where the Presbyterians worshipped.(left) It was sold to the present occupants after the last Presbyterian priest died.

The St. George’s Cathedral in Kingstown was said to have been built with money from Carib lands which had been sold.

The Gothic-styled Catholic Cathedral of the Assumption in Kingstown was built over in phases over a period of time. Charles Verbeke, a priest, is credited with being the main architect.

The Anglican churches in Belair, Calliaqua and other rural districts were contracted as the congregations expanded.

The Anglican Church in Georgetown was contructed by a Colonel Browne while the Georgetown Catholic Church suffered major damage and was rebuilt just over a half century ago.

And the quaint Biabou Anglican Church sits on a rocky foundation which had to be excavated on the corner it stands to accommodate the building.

In the Grenadines, the Canouan Anglican Church, which now sits at what is now called the Raffles Resort was built by the Snagg family. The Canouan resort developers had demolished it causing a national furore and then rebuilt it.

These are just a few anecdotes of a very rich architectural legacy in a country where religion dominated much of the social life.