Heavenly Highpoint, Bonaire Nights Magazine by Sue Campbell
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17 nights Historical interlude Photo by Michael DeFreitas The early Spanish settlers first tried to introduce Bonaire’s original inhabi- tants to Catholicism, but there were no conversions until Dutch priests began teaching the slaves. The first church, built in 1776, was a primitive affair on Para Mira overlooking the tiny settlement of Rincon. In 1837, the resident priest, Father Smit, decided to bring the church closer to the people. He enlisted volunteers to drag heavy stones into the town; as they toiled, they sang and their voices could be heard throughout the valley. In 1858 when Rincon became a parish, Father Jaonnes te Welscher enlisted another group of volunteers to expand the church. And then – disaster struck. In 1907 a hurricane completely destroyed the townspeople’s labor of love. The church was once again rebuilt and this time consecrated to San Luis Bertran. Over time, the building fell into disrepair until 1977 when Pastor Alcivar rallied residents to renovate the church and build a new tower. The final face- lift was completed in 1984 by Father Vasques’s congregation. Today, it stands proudly as a historic monument and a pillar of spiritual strength for the people of Rincon. Traveling the road to Rincon you’ll crest upon a scenic summit called Para Mira, which in Papiamentu literally means “stop and look”. If you do, the first thing you’ll notice below is a blaz- ing yellow spire pointing toward the heavens. This is the San Lodovico Bertran Catholic Church. Heavenly Highpoint by Susan Campbell Rincon’s Catholic Church has risen like a phoenix to become a tribute to the power of faith and persistence.
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Transcript of Heavenly Highpoint, Bonaire Nights Magazine by Sue Campbell
17nights
Historical interlude
Photo by Michael DeFreitas
The early Spanish settlers first triedto introduce Bonaire’s original inhabi-tants to Catholicism, but there were noconversions until Dutch priests beganteaching the slaves.
The first church, built in 1776,was a primitive affair on Para Miraoverlooking the tiny settlement ofRincon. In 1837, the resident priest,Father Smit, decided to bring thechurch closer to the people. He enlistedvolunteers to drag heavy stones into the town; as they toiled, they sang andtheir voices could be heard throughoutthe valley.
In 1858 when Rincon became aparish, Father Jaonnes te Welscherenlisted another group of volunteers toexpand the church. And then – disasterstruck. In 1907 a hurricane completelydestroyed the townspeople’s labor oflove. The church was once again rebuiltand this time consecrated to San LuisBertran.
Over time, the building fell intodisrepair until 1977 when Pastor Alcivarrallied residents to renovate the churchand build a new tower. The final face-lift was completed in 1984 by FatherVasques’s congregation. Today, it standsproudly as a historic monument and a pillar of spiritual strength for the people of Rincon.
Traveling the road to Rincon you’llcrest upon a scenic summit called ParaMira, which in Papiamentu literallymeans “stop and look”. If you do, thefirst thing you’ll notice below is a blaz-ing yellow spire pointing toward theheavens. This is the San Lodovico BertranCatholic Church.
Heavenly Highpointby Susan Campbell
Rincon’s Catholic Church has risen like a phoenix to become a tribute to the power of faith and persistence.
