Rebuilding hope – Carolina’s struggle to restore the Church

By Rosemarie Sant
altosproducer.camsel@catholictt.org

“We want our church back,” is the heartfelt plea of Brenda Ash, a lifelong parishioner of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church in Carolina Village. Her simple words carry the weight of a community that has been without a church for more than six years.
In 2018, the roof blew off during heavy winds and rains, and despite promises of repairs, the restoration never materialised. Left to the elements, the church now stands as an abandoned shell, overgrown with bushes—a silent reminder of the past.
For Ash and many others, though, the church is more than just a structure; it’s a symbol of their faith, community, and shared history.
“When the roof was removed, the community was told it would be replaced,” Ash explained. “But then Covid came, and everything stopped. The repairs never happened. That was the end.”
Without a church to call home, the congregation began to fade. Some found new places of worship, while others stopped attending altogether. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Ash and the rest of the community refuse to give up hope. “We have to do something to get it done, even if it means raising funds,” she said.
New leadership and renewed hope
In 2022, Fr Trevor Nathasingh was appointed as Parish Priest in Couva. The parish comprises St Paul’s RC, St Peter’s in Orange Valley and Our Lady of Immaculate Conception in Carolina. On his visit to Carolina, he found a faithful group in need not only of a physical church but also spiritual support.

“The community was abandoned,” Fr Nathasingh told Altos. “Nothing happened until I arrived. I reached out to the Presbyterian community, and they have been incredibly generous, allowing us to use their premises for Mass. We now gather every Sunday.” That arrangement started in 2023 and continues.
For Ash and others, though, this is only a temporary solution. “Our church in Carolina is where we’ve celebrated so many important moments—Baptisms, weddings, funerals. It’s where we came together as a family,” Ash recalled. “I remember when the church was being built, the whole village came together to provide meals for the workers. If we can get that roof fixed, we could once again gather for Mass as we used to.”
Despite the church’s current dilapidated state, Fr Nathasingh is also optimistic about the possibility of restoration. “We trust in God’s goodness,” he said. “And we believe that with the right help, we can fix this. If we can get the roof back on, we’ll be on our way. It won’t take much. God willing, the church will rise again.”
A step toward restoration
On Saturday, December 7, 2024, one day before the Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the community took a significant step toward that goal. Parishioners from St Paul’s RC Church and the Franciscan House of Prayer in Sangre Grande joined the Carolina community for a public walk. They prayed the rosary, sang hymns, and encouraged one another. Fr Nathasingh urged them to “hold on to their faith,” certain that the restoration of the church—and the community—was within reach.
For Ash, the walk was a powerful sign of hope. “Everybody was happy,” she said. “Fr Nathasingh is the first priest to take an interest in our community. He keeps our hope alive, and the people are upbeat because they feel something is happening. For the first time in a long while, we can see that restoration is possible.”
Fr Nathasingh is aware that the community has been through a lot. “The people are enthusiastic and eager to see this happen,” he said. “We’ve asked for Our Lady’s help, and we trust that God will guide us. This isn’t just about a building; it’s about rebuilding our faith as a community.”
The support from the Presbyterian community illustrates the interfaith cooperation that has emerged from this challenge. “The kindness we’ve received from the Presbyterians has been overwhelming,” Ash said. “We are grateful to have a place to worship, even if it’s not our church.”
Ash believes that with a restored church, many will return. “The church used to be packed,” she said. “There are people who don’t want to attend Mass in another church. We are grateful for the Masses we have now, but it’s time to bring our church back to life. We’ve waited long enough.”
Ash and her fellow parishioners continue to hold on to the belief that one day soon, the walls of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception will again echo with the sound of prayer, worship, and community.
As Fr Nathasingh leads the faithful, he encourages them to keep their hope alive. “Never forget,” he said, “that what is beyond human understanding is never beyond God. What seems impossible for us is never impossible for God.”