The Holy Trinity Cathedral on Hart Street in Port of Spain which was built in 1818 is in need of urgent restoration costing around $ 70 million.
The cathedral, which is a national heritage property of the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago, suffered interior and exterior structural damage in the 6.9 earthquake in 2018.
Yesterday, during a broadcast of the launch of the Restoration Fund of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity on CCN TV6, the dean and rector of the cathedral, Dr Shelley-Ann Tenia appealed to the whole community because the cathedral has been a mainstay for Anglicans and many others who have visited.
“With the network of actors that surrounds us, we ask for your support, to continue and extend the more than 200 years of mission, through the communities that surround us. I also call on Anglican denominational schools to support this noble cause as they would have participated in many religious activities at the cathedral, â€Tenia said.
The Anglican Bishop, The Right Reverend Claude Berkley, also called for help, who described the cathedral as the mother church of the Anglican Diocese and the magnificent spiritual home of the capital, which is of great significance to the tapestry of Trinidad and Tobago.
Berkley said, “Seventy million dollars is a huge amount this guava season, but there are factors that encourage us to make it happen in the name of God. I call on brothers, sisters and friends to seriously consider this effort to restore the cathedral church.
“This majestic monument which has been the site of much of our islands’ rich history must be preserved, to tell the story of our nation and continue as a stronghold of spiritual awakening and community service. With that in mind, please help us restore the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity to its former glory.
Chairman of the Diocesan Restoration Fund Committee, Selby Browne thanked the government for its allocation of $ 20 million to help with the works and the very significant tax breaks to companies in Trinidad and Tobago that contribute to National Trust heritage sites .
He said that while some costs were covered by the church’s fundraising activities, additional funds were needed to complete the restoration.
“I ask, will you keep the cathedral light alive, will you keep the cathedral bells ringing.” I implore you to make your contributions to the website, â€noted Browne.
Information on how to donate to Cathedral Restoration is available at www.trinityrestorationtt.com.
Bank transfers can also be made to First Citizens Bank, on behalf of the Incorporated Trustees of the Anglican Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago, account number 2696950.
