Rev. Blackman Drive, West Bay, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

+1 (345) 949-6797
 

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Mass TIME

SUNDAY | 9:45 AM
 

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CHURCH HISTORY
CHRIST THE REDEEMER, WEST BAY 

From a handful of worshippers in the 1950’s, the Roman Catholic Community in the Cayman Islands has grown to over 7,500 persons according to the 2010 Population Census. This remarkable growth of the Roman Catholic Community over the years can be attributed mainly to the rapid economic growth and development of the Islands and the resulting influx of expatriate workers.  While St. Ignatius Church in the capital of the Islands had served the Cayman Catholic Community for well over 40 years, the presence of the Church in other districts and Island was viewed as a natural move in the growth and development of the Church in the Islands.  This step was taken during Rt. Rev. Monsignor John A. Meaney’s tenure as Pastor, when it was decided to build a second Church on Grand Cayman to serve primarily the West Bay and Seven Mile Beach Communities. 

Mr. Oscar Webb and his family, who had migrated from Jamaica to Grand Cayman, were among the first Roman Catholics to reside in West Bay in the 1950s.  As there was no Catholic Church in the Islands at that time, he purchased and donated a parcel of the land on Rev. Blackman Road to the Church.  However, the first Catholic Church, St. Ignatius, was built on Shedden Road in George Town which was a more centralized location.  The property was sold and a new Church was built at its present location on Walker’s Road in 1982. 

As the Church population grew over the years, plans were drawn up by Kozaily Designs for the construction of a new Church on Rev. Blackman Road in West Bay and the ground-breaking ceremony took place in the summer of 1992. During the interim, Mass was celebrated in the West Bay Town Hall.  Funds were successfully raised and the Church was constructed by Gilles Langlois and furnished with religious icons imported from Italy.  The Church seats approximately 200 persons.  

The Church was named Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church and was officially dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 1993, by the late Archbishop of Kingston, Jamaica, His Grace, Most Reverend Samuel Carter, S.J., with Monsignor John Meaney and Fr. Devon Nash as con-celebrants, and many dignitaries and parishioners in attendance.  Unfortunately, later the Church had to be purified and re-consecrated by Archbishop Carter after it was vandalized and desecrated.

The first Sacrament of Matrimony between Bruce Smith and Nicole Prince was celebrated on June 5, 1993 by Monsignor John Meaney.

Initially, there were only a few local families who regularly attended Christ the Redeemer; they were the families of Gladys Prince, Cynthia Pereira, Alma Connolly, Jen Dixon, Bette Jefferson, et al.  The numbers have grown over the years with average weekly attendance of well over 175 persons. However, during the tourist high season from November to April, the capacity of the Church is normally exceeded.

In March 2010, land was purchased along the south boundary of the Church which provided much needed additional parking spaces for parishioners.  To provide for the future expansion of Christ the Redeemer, Fr. Suresh Rajaian, SAC, Pastor, launched a fund-raising appeal for the acquisition of an additional 52,000 sq. ft. of land next to the parking area in April 2018.  It is expected that the land purchase will be undertaken during the current year.  General upgrade and improvements to the Church were undertaken recently including the installation of a new Tabernacle, Crucifix, statues of Blessed Mother Mary and St. Joseph, as well as the erection of fences and gates to the property.

 Although a small community, the Christ the Redeemer Church is known for its vibrant and uplifting liturgical celebrations.  Visitors and residents alike, participating in the celebration of the Mass experience the warmth and welcoming atmosphere of the Church community.  

In 2018, Christ the Redeemer celebrates its Silver Anniversary and is grateful to all the priests and parishioners who have contributed towards its growth and development.  As the Church community continues to grow and with the acquisition of the additional parcels of land, Christ the Redeemer is well poised for future development in its ministry to the West Bay and Seven Mile Beach communities.