Not many people know that our church carried the French name "Notre Dame de Bon Secours," but today to everyone it is known as - The Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help/The Catholic Church on the Promenade/OLPH/ Big Church.
Growth of the Catholic Church in San Fernando
1823
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There was a church in San Fernando.
1838
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Father James Cahill started to build a church dedicated to Notre Dame de Bon Secours.
1840, July 16
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Abbe Christophe arrived in San Fernando where he served for 32 years. He had the Chapel in the cemetery built.
1858
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Major renovations.
1864, August 6
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First pastoral visit of Archbishop Louis J.Gonin O.P.
1865
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Second major renovation.
1874, Nov., 27
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Death of Abbe Christophe.
1875-1886
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Parish of San Fernando transformed by Dominican Priest Andre Violette
1889-1891
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First local priest - Fr. J. N. Maingot.
1902-1923
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Fr. Richard Cantwell - Parish Priest.
1930
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Coming of the Benedictines to San Fernando. Fr Sebastien Weber from the Monastery of Mount St. Benedict appointed Parish Priest.
1948
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The Church, more than 150 years old, demolished.
1950
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New Church of Notre Dame de Bon Secours completed.
1951
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Fr. Maurus Maingot - Parish Priest.
1970
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The Parish of San Fernando entrusted to the local clergy of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain. Fr. John Mendes later Bishop Mendes (deceased), first local priest assisted by Frs. Rudolph Mohammed, Garfield Rochard and Franklyn Andrews.
1974-1975
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Community Hall built adjacent to the church.
1983
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New presbytery built.
1984-1985
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Major repairs on the church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
2003-2004
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Complete renovation and transformation of the Community Hall. Renamed "The Bishop Mendes Auditorium".
2005
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Extensive and major repairs and changes undertaken and carried out by the then Parish Priest - Fr. Clyde Harvey.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help church can now boast of a vibrant Parish council, a number of Ministries, Lay Ministers, Lay Readers, and other Lay Ministers who if and
when necessary can conduct Eucharistic Services.
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