Cat Island

Cat Island is probably the most depressed area we have visited and it probably has more to offer than most of the other islands.
John Cecil Hawes was born in England in 1876. He became an architect and then an Anglican Priest, known in the islands as FATHER JEROME. At various times during his life he was a wagon train driver, a muleskinner, a monk, a missionary, and a horse breeder. He was sent to the Bahamas after the devastating Hurricane of 1908 to help rebuild churches. He did buil
d churches all over the many islands. In 1937 he visited the highest hill in the Bahamas, Comer Hill, at New Bight on Cat Island. He chose this as the site for his retirement home, and a sight in town for a new church. His retirement home is called the Hermitage. THis diminutive monument is a masterpiece of architecture and craftsmanship, and reflects the sincere devotion this man had for his work and his religion. The trail up the mountain is steep and dangerous but it is worth the trip. the visiter travels through all 14 stations of the cross, with small shrines as reminders including a replica of Jesus' tomb with a roll-a-way stone..
At the top is this beautiful small church like building that was FatherJeromes's home. Very simple. Very spartan. A small chapel, a very small sleeping room, a kitchen, etc. Very impressive. People come from all parts of the world to make the trip to the top and sign the guest book...and there is no fee.