Basseterre Co-Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Basseterre (must see)

The Basseterre Co-Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception has a rich history that dates back to the early stages of the French occupation of Basseterre.

During this period, a Roman Catholic church was constructed in the town by the Jesuits and dedicated to Our Lady. This church, named Notre Dame, suffered destruction in 1706 during the Anglo-French War when English soldiers, billeted in the area, set it ablaze. Following this unfortunate event, the church was reconstructed by 1710 and renamed Saint George's. In the 1720s, it transitioned into a place of worship for the Anglican community.

After the English took control of the island in 1713, Roman Catholics faced restrictions and were forbidden by law to worship in public. It wasn't until the passage of an Act in 1829 that lifted these restrictions, leading to a revival of Roman Catholicism. The growth of the Roman Catholic community received a substantial boost with the arrival of Portuguese migrants from Madeira starting in 1835. Around 1856, a church called the Church of the Immaculate Conception was built, marking a pivotal moment in the resurgence of Roman Catholicism on the island.

In 1927, the original church was demolished and replaced by a modern edifice on the same site on East Square Street. This new church, designed by Father Claeys, an architect of repute, was dedicated on December 6, 1928. The cathedral, known as the Basseterre Co-Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, has since served as a spiritual center for the Roman Catholic community in Basseterre. Additionally, the Formation House, which housed Catholic nuns, and the Manse, serving as the residence for priests, contributed to the religious life of the community.