Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Babonneau
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Our History

Early Catholic Presence in Northern Saint Lucia

The origins of the Babonneau Good Shepherd Catholic Church are deeply connected to the early Catholic structure of northern Saint Lucia.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the northern part of the island was divided into three main Catholic parishes:

  • Castries
  • Gros Islet
  • Dauphin

Although Dauphin was officially a parish, it never had a permanent church building. Instead, Mass was held in a simple community structure used for catechism. One priest, based in Gros Islet, served both Gros Islet and Dauphin, covering a very large and difficult territory.

Over time, the population of Dauphin declined as people migrated inland, particularly toward the Marquis district. By around 1850, Marquis had become a more significant population center, located about eleven miles from Gros Islet.

To serve this growing community, a chapel was built in Marquis by Abbé Marchesi (parish priest from 1854 to 1862). This chapel was dedicated to St. John the Evangelist in 1858 by Archbishop Vincent Spaccapietra of Port of Spain.

Transition Toward Babonneau

In 1862, Abbé Chassang became parish priest of Gros Islet. By this time, Dauphin parish had effectively ceased to exist. The church’s focus shifted to areas like Marquis, Boguis, and surrounding districts—parts of what is now Babonneau.

Abbé Chassang relocated the chapel from Marquis to Boguis, placing it near what is now the Society Hall. This early structure included:

  • A small chapel
  • A simple bell tower with one bell
  • A small thatched building for instruction

This marked an important step toward establishing a permanent Catholic presence in the Babonneau area.

Establishment of the Good Shepherd Church

The modern Babonneau church was made possible through a significant donation of £800, specifically designated for the construction of a church named “The Good Shepherd Church.” Babonneau became the beneficiary of this donation.

Cornerstone Ceremony (1947)

The cornerstone of the church was laid on June 29, 1947, during the papacy of Pope Pius XII and the reign of King George VI.

The ceremony was conducted by:

  • Archbishop Finbar Ryan of Port of Spain
  • Father Charles Jesse (acting parish priest and vicar general)
  • Father Charles Gachet, who played a major role in organizing the construction

Many local community members and sponsors participated, including farmers, teachers, and members of friendly societies. Their contributions—both financial and physical—were essential to the project.

Construction of the Church (1947–1950)

The building of the church was a community-driven effort that progressed gradually due to limited funds.

Key Milestones:

  • 1948 (early): Outer walls completed
  • Mid-1948: Concrete pillars and arches constructed
  • June 1948: Progress slowed due to the devastating Castries fire, which affected many donors
  • 1948–1949: Local lumber prepared from government-provided trees, with Father Gachet working alongside laborers
  • Easter 1949: Walls ready for roofing
  • October 1949: Roof completed; bazaar held inside unfinished church
  • Early 1950: Flooring, pews, altar, and rails installed

The church was built largely through:

  • Local fundraising (six bazaars between 1947–1950)
  • Volunteer labor from villagers
  • Donations from church authorities and benefactors

The total construction cost was approximately £4,200, a remarkable achievement given the scale of the building.

Blessing and Opening (1950)

The church was officially blessed on April 30, 1950, by Archbishop Finbar Ryan.

A large crowd attended the ceremony, and the first celebration of the Feast of the Good Shepherd had already taken place inside the building the week before.

Architectural Features:

  • Length: 120 feet
  • Width: 60 feet
  • Height: 40 feet
  • Basilica-style interior
  • Semi-circular sanctuary
  • Two side chapels
  • Distinctive timber roof

The church quickly became a central place of worship and community life in Babonneau.

Development of the Parish (1960 Onward)

In 1960, Babonneau was officially established as a canonical Catholic parish with clearly defined geographic boundaries.

At that time:

  • Catholic population: approximately 5,000
  • The parish covered a large rural area with scattered communities

By the late 20th century:

  • The population had grown to nearly 10,000
  • About 90% of residents identified as Roman Catholic

This growth reflected both natural population increase and the central role of the church in community life.

Bells and Structural Additions

  • 1951: First bell (named “Saint Lucia”) installed in a temporary belfry
  • 1963: Two additional bells added and blessed
  • Later years: A permanent belfry constructed under Father Georges Guillet (1978–1987)

These additions enhanced the church’s presence and symbolic importance in the district.

Community and Legacy

The Babonneau Good Shepherd Catholic Church stands as:

  • A symbol of faith built through community effort
  • A product of migration patterns from Dauphin to inland districts
  • A testament to local resilience, especially after setbacks like the 1948 Castries fire

From humble beginnings—small chapels and traveling priests—the church evolved into a central institution serving thousands of Catholics across Babonneau.

Its history reflects not only religious development but also the social and demographic transformation of northern Saint Lucia.

Sources of Information

1. Parish Archives compiled by Msgr Charles Gachet FMI
2. 'A History of the Roman Catholic Church in St Lucia' 1976, by Charles Gachet FMI
3. Chronological Notes left in the Parish Files by Father Georges Guillet FMI