St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church

Between 1820 and 1830 the church in the Diego Martin parish was a chapel attached to the Begorat family residence. Mass was celebrated by priests from the Carenage and Port of Spain districts since there was no parish priest in those days. In the early times, a small church was built on the site opposite the present church now occupied by the boys' school. In 1832 Rev. Fr. T. Tabando was parish priest of Diego Martin and the first baptism recorded was that of Marie Julie Elenore, daughter of Leon and Marie de Gannes on September 4, 1832. Rev. Fr. R. P. Smith, who was parish priest from 1836 to 1840, built a new church in Diego Martin, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, and turned the old church into a presbytery. Fr. Henri Coquet C.S.Sp., a Frenchman by birth and, according to records, a very zealous priest, remained in the parish for 30 years. Fr. Coquet kept a very accurate journal, written in French and filled with interesting details about parish life in those days. The two beautifully stained glass windows in the sanctuary of the present church are remnants of the old one. They were imported from France at the cost of $120 each. This priest and his parishioners built the boys' school in 1894. St. John the Apostle, is shown with a pen and book to indicate that he is the author of one of the four gospels that is, an Evangelist. Fr. Coquet's patron saint, St. Henry was the son of Henry, Duke of Bavaria and was born in 972. He succeeded his father to the Dutchy of Bavaria and in 1002 on the death of his cousin, Otto, he was chosen Holy Roman Emperor. During his reign he founded a number of monasteries and dioceses and was identified with reform in the Church. The globe held in his hand signifies he was Emperor of the whole world. The shield indicates that he was the protector and defender of the Church. No history of the Church in Diego Martin would be complete without mention of the two priests who died tragically while serving the parish.

Parish Priest: Fr Wilfred John

Saturday Vigil Mass: 6 p.m.
Sunday Mass: 7 a.m., 6 p.m.
Weekday Mass: Mon to Fri 5.30 a.m., First Fri 6 p.m.
Public Holiday: Mass, 7 a.m.
Reconciliation: Sat (after morning mass), Sat evening 5.15 – 5.45 p.m.
Adoration: Sat 6 a.m. – 9 a.m.