News of The Abacos
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A True Community
Project - A Work of Abaco Art Although Jesus was keen to teach us about Heaven with earthly stories and images, it seems that some Christians of every age prefer to be more literal and take him at his word. Throughout the world, churches are often built on a hilltop. The symbolism of a high point reaching up to the heavens is as compelling as the view of all Creation's splendour and beauty below. And so, when one views St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church from the roadside below, it is a wonderful and natural sight to behold. But if it wasn't for the well-grounded thinking of the Church's Rector, Father Stanley Kolasa, and the team of talented local contractors, things could have been far different. The real story begins on the weekend of the 9 December, 1988 when a probable electrical fire raged through the twenty-five year old simple stone and wooden edifice which was the original St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, burning it almost to the ground. The building had been situated next to the old convent and the original St. Francis de Sales School located behind Solomon Brothers Wholesale. The only thing that survived the ravages of the fire, intact, was the brass bell, which, like a young phoenix rising from the ashes of its parents, still lives on at the new site to echo God's call to worship for ages to come. After the fire, the community, like the original Mothers and Fathers of the Judeo-Christian Faith, conducted their weekly praises to God in a large tent. Community members, like the spiritual pilgrims of all times, continued to pray and perhaps knew in faith that a make-shift tent would suffice and that God would provide...and provide He did. An application for Crown Land to build a new church was sent to the central government authorities in Nassau and fund-raising efforts reached out for financial support. Gradually, through hard work and determination, the dreams of the faithful came to fruition. A 2-1/2 acre plot of Crown Land was granted and the community had raised enough funds by this time to begin building. To get the ball rolling a local (but now defunct) construction company called Design Build was granted the contract to construct the church. The Company had been a joint enterprise between two former Nassauvians: Architect, Tim Neil and Civil Engineer, Chris Roberts. The drawings were completed in January, 1992, and construction started in March, 1993. For those sensitive to Biblical symbolism, it would take 7 men 9 months to complete a creation which would soon prove to have been inspired. I've been told that, when building in the Abacos, there's often a need to level the ground before you build. Initially such thoughts were seriously entertained, but in the end, reason (and perhaps) a little divine inspiration won out. After backhoe-driver extraordinaire, Mr. Kevin Simmons from Marsh Harbour notched the crest of the hill, it was as though a veil had been lifted from everyone's eye as they beheld the most perfect site on which to build the Church, for the exposed plateau called strongly to mind yet another of Christ's promises from the Great Book..."upon this rock I shall build my Church". Mr. Neil admits that the building site was difficult as it sloped up to 55 ft. and sloped steeply back down the other side. But it was unanimously agreed that this was how it had to be built in order to assure that the Church would appear to be coming out of the rock. The hope was to incarnate the idea of praising God through the environment and to construct the Church as a focal point, integrating Man and Nature in communion with the Creator. The entrance required a winding road to diminish the steepness of the incline up the hill. In this way, it also signified the winding (sometimes meandering) path of life. What you see as you're actually going up the road and approaching the parking lot to the front entrance, is the roof floating on a sea of tropical shrubs, suggesting a somewhat surreal and transcendent 4,000 sq. ft. heavenly abode. The tapered staircase leading down from under the pergola creates the perception of a grand staircase and was constructed in this fashion to form a photogenic background for wedding pictures. One can not help but be entranced by the use of wooden beams throughout the Church. These are gluelam beams, which are the laminated portal frames that run to the centre of the building and provide support for the roof. They were fabricated in Arkansas and shipped to Abaco. The cupola is formed so that the intensity of the sunlight falls directly from the centre of the ceiling and gradually diminishes in strength as it moves out from the centre. Fr. Stan explains that the floor tiles were placed in such way a to ensure that this light would be brightest in the centre and irradiate throughout the Church. The entire effect is one of such ethereal and unearthly beauty as to take one's breath away. There had been some thought given to building a retaining wall that would prevent people from falling into the sculpted cuts around the Church. However, the large boulders taken from the crest of the hill were placed around the staircase and circular walkway to provide a safety barrier more in keeping with nature. The profusion of shrubs and creeping vines that have since nestled in around these rocks has knitted them into a permanent evergreen wall. Fr. Stan was adamant that whatever goods and services could be obtained locally, would be. The resulting effort ensured that a piece of everyone concerned from thenceforth went into each and every aspect of the completed building and its surroundings. The landscaping of the Church was carried out by Michael Myers of Hopetown; the stained-glass chandelier was designed by Fr. Stan himself and constructed by Ms. Rome Hyer of Green Turtle Cay, who also created the tabernacle glass and the sanctuary lamps. The large wooden front doors were made in Hopetown, but carved by Donny Wood of Marsh Harbour, who also made the bronze doorknob. The corpus (Christ's body) on the crucifix was made by the late sculptor, Randolph Johnston and the baptismal font, by his son, Bill Johnston. Fr. Stan designed the altar and carpenter, Ray Chandler carved it from an entire tree which had been discovered protruding from a cliffside in Treasure Cay, North Abaco. The only anchor would be the tree's trunk which made the altar appear to be floating. Ray also made the tabernacle, furnishings in the Sacristy and containers for the holy oil. Derek Lee of Man-O-War Cay built the presidential chair and lectern. Fr. Stan made the holy water fonts at the front entrance of the Church. Look closely at the scene of a Bahamian beach that has captured all of the glorious colours of our famous waters. The cornerstone had been laid in February of 1993 an within a few short months, the reborn St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church, Marsh Harbour, had been dedicated by Bishop Burke and was fervently welcomed by the faithful. A friend of mine, who recalls the first time she was taken to worship at the Church one Sunday, said, "I had not been prepared for the unique and moving experience of seeing that place for the first time. I had never seen anything like it ... the suspense of that winding road, the three crosses (two of which have since been blown away by gale-force winds) on the hillrock at the right and the Church, oh, the Church standing like the glory of all creation on its rock with sunlight all around it. St. Francis celebrates morning mass at 8:00 a.m. each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning, Sunday services in English at 9:00 a.m. at the Church and on the public library green in Hopetown, Elbow Cay at 11:00 a.m., followed by an afternoon mass in Creole at 5:00 p.m. There are also services at the Sts. Mary & Andrew Catholic Church in Treasure Cay at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoons and at St. Vil-Anoise, also in Treasure Cay. Fr. Stan is the celebrant at each service and all are welcomed! |
