Almost 12 years later and on the home-stretch to completion, the Holy Rosary RC Church’s restoration project remains close to $7 million in debt in the face of growing demands on its influence as an agent of change in one of the more troubled communities of T&T.
One Canada-based support group reports on its website that in 1999, the Central Statistical Office recorded over 16 per cent of the country’s reported crime were in areas covered by the pastoral district alone.
Today, chairman of the Pastoral Council, comprising Holy Rosary and St Martin’s in east Port-of-Spain, Paul Massiah says restoration of the historic structure needs to be matched by deeper forays into the burning issues of the communities from which its congregation emerges.
“A lot of people within the community were baptised Catholic, but not a lot are practising Catholics,” Massiah told T&T Guardian. “They are not really involved.”
The role of activist parish priest Fr Clyde Harvey is well documented and in 2011, he was awarded a Humming Bird Medal (Gold) for “loyal and devoted service to the country.”
Massiah says he has also noted an increase in attendance accompanying improvements in the church infrastructure but remains focused on more active engagement of its work by the wider communities.
He has also welcomed the contributions of individuals and organisations that became involved in ensuring that the historical structure was restored and are now engaged in wiping out the remaining debt.
On Sunday from 5 pm, for example, the acclaimed Marionettes Chorale will host part four of its Hearts Beat Together series of church concerts at the Holy Rosary Church as part of the effort to clear restoration debt.
The concerts have already delivered a wide range of musical genres at the All Saints’ Anglican Church, La Romaine RC Church and at St Philip and St James RC Church.
Massiah says he is happy that despite the chorale’s own ambitions, the Marionettes has its own Property Fund to develop its own facility. It has offered its assistance to the church in this way.
“I am happy that they were willing to do that,” he said. “Definitely, we all need to help each other.”
When joined with the parish of St Martin de Pores, the Holy Rosary congregation covers a bustling, heavily-populated area Gonzales, Jerningham Avenue and Abercromby Street from Memorial Park to Duke Street.
It is estimated that the area comprises close to 3,300 households, with a population of over 11,000 people. It is a hub of social and cultural activity with four major steelbands and numerous sports and social groups.
Church leaders are hoping that property restoration efforts at the church are greeted by broader social reformation in these communities. The Marionettes Chorale has stepped forward to play its part.