The next stop I want to take you to around Castries, St Lucia is the most amazing in the entire capitol. The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is located next to Derek Walcott Square and is the seat of the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Castries, currently Robert Rivas. The cathedral is named after Mary, mother of Jesus, under her title, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
The “Cathedral”, as it is commonly known, is the largest church in the Caribbean, measuring 200 ft long by 100 ft wide and was given the honorary status of a Minor Basilica on 11 May 1999 as part of the centenary celebrations.
It was built in 1897 and looks like a fairly typical grand stone church from the outside, but once you step inside you will be blown away by the splendidly painted interior consisting of trompe l’oeil columns and colorfully detailed biblical scenes featuring black divinity portraying Christ and the Holy Family as black. Many of these mural were painted by Dunstan St. Omer, a local artist who also designed the national flag.
If you are ever in St Lucia, do yourself a favor and make sure you step away from the noise and bustle of Castries by entering the lovely Cathedral, gaze on the amazing artwork, and say a prayer for the world.
