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In 1939, Father Jerome (aka: Monsignor John Hawkes) came to Cat Island to seek solitude and to live as the poorest of the poor. He bought the land on top of Comer Hill, the highest point in all the Bahamas and named it Mt Alvernia after a hill in Tuscany. Although he had intended to live alone, he ended up building 4 churches on Cat Island during his 20 years there. He died in the early 1950's. His hill-top home is still standing and is a great must-see tourist attraction.

 
   

This is the view from the parking lot. The small brown sign announces Como Hill, the highest point in the Bahamas at 206 feet.

 

From the parking lot it is about a 200 foot walk up a steep, rocky trail to the monastery.

This is the backside of the monastery. The bell tower is on the left, the larger round domed chapel in the middle, the smaller round domed kitchen to the right of that and the small bedroom on the far right.

This is the inside of his small chapel, Diane is standing at the alter.

Just next to my right side is his single pew/writing desk.

While he was building his monastery, he lived in this small cave, about a 200 yard walk down a path.

Below is a shot of Diane in the cave.
 

 

 

 

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last revised : August 6, 2009