DIVINE DESIGN ON LONG ISLAND

By Bianca Major

The famous British proverb which carries much depth and meaning. At some point in one’s life, we imagine our “dream home”, some with the picket fences, some without, or perhaps even a sprawling estate overlooking dramatic coastlines of ebbing sapphire blue seas. After all, “Home is where the heart is.”

The influence of years-gone-by architecture and the new age of modern building makes way for a breath-taking marriage of concept and design from the foundation to the peak of its rooftop.

As we travel through the majestic islands of The Bahamas, the diversity of architectural design is unmistakably visible.

From the dream homes to the contemporary homes, there are buildings that remind of whence we came. Without history and the brilliance of design geniuses, there would not be the architectural palette to design from.

Seven hundred islands and keys, this island-hopping archipelago boasts its own unique style of buildings, with the British colonial influence being the most prevalent throughout the islands, especially in the government buildings and vintage colonial home styles.

Vibrant clapboard homes are sprinkled across the luscious tropical landscaped neighbourhoods which showcases the vibrant, colourful, happy nature of Bahamians.

Long Island has the most beautiful limestone-erected structures thine eyes have ever seen. Buildings, homes, and churches constructed with limestone was the most popular building method and is still visible throughout The Bahamas today, making way for visiting historical sites, while absorbing the architectural wonder of these designs.

That skinny, long strip of land, dwelling in the southern turquoise seas, Long Island boasts of the most awe-inspiring designs of Catholic Churches.

The churches of the Catholic Diocese on Long Island:

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Hamilton’s

• Holy Trinity - Tait’s

• Immaculate Conception – Mortimer’s

• Saint George’s - Buckley’s

• Saint Pius X - The Bight

• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Dunmore

• Saint Peter and Paul - Clarence Town

• The towers on the church at Saint Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church peeks over the harbour side of Clarence Town.

As you drive into the capital city, heading south, emerging from the hilltop is the stunning view of the “twin churches”. Add this photo bucket list moment to your travel itinerary. Stop by to see this view for yourself.

In 1945, the Catholic Church, Assumption of the Blessed Mary, in Dunmore, was built by Fr. Cornelius Orsendorf.

In 1946, Orsendorf, began building the church in Clarence Town using the plans and sketches designed by Monsignor Jerome John C. Hawes.

The brilliant minds who contributed to the architecture design and building, along with Orsendorf, were Frs. Hawes, La Vierge, Smythers, Mondloch, and Wind.

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” –

Marcus Garvey

The preservation of our heritage reminds us of historical times, “the old ways”. The architectural influence adds character to our community, providing a sense of style, “oneness” with culture, and future continuance.

Greg Schaus has been the historical torchbearer to carry on the preservation of one of the famously constructed Catholic churches on Long Island.

Schaus made Long Island his “home away from home” when he and his wife Julie, and their kids, stumbled across this lovely island of Long Island and just had to make it “home”.

How Long Island came to be Greg & Julie’s “Castle of a Home.”

It all started with an island-hopping adventure and four little kids in tow. The Schauses travelled around The Bahamas, through Abaco and Exuma, but it was just “too many people” for them, so they continued to Cat Island. During their stay on Cat Island, they came across a flyer for Long Island. That was the next spot to visit on the list and boy did Long Island melt their hearts.

Upon their arrival to Deadman’s Cay, Long Island, local hero, Mr. J. B. Carroll, provided the Schauses with a rental car and they were on the move. By the second day of their visit, they had found the site of their dream home, literally. In less than seven days, Julie and Greg Schaus had met with famous local realtor, Mr. Willis Harding, who sealed the property deal and there began the story of, “a man’s castle is his home”.

For more than twenty-five years, the Schauses have called Long Island home and Greg has significantly impacted the way we appreciate our local historical buildings.

Fast forward to October 2015, monster Hurricane Joaquin tore through the southern islands of The Bahamas leaving behind a path of destruction, many without homes, and surrounded by devastation. Whilst many of the local churches were being used as hurricane shelters, Hurricane Joaquin also did tremendous damage to some of the churches.

The small, quaint settlement of Dunmore, home to the Catholic church, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was used as a shelter during Hurricane Joaquin. The church received significant damages after that hurricane passed, leaving Long Island in shambles.

Greg Schaus, with the assistance of the Catholic Diocese and locals, namely, Deacon Patrick Darville, Rodney Major, Jeffery Cartwright and Dekinta “Dog” Roxbury, carried on reconstructive and cosmetic repairs to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church that sits on top of Dunmore’s Hill.

A special dedication service was held in June of 2019 to mark the repairs and special efforts made to preserve the historical church.

When we intertwine the love of design and architecture, creating and erecting walls of masterpieces, it is then that we are unified with divine design. UA