Father Jerome Hawes, born John Cyril Hawes in 1876, was an English-born architect, Anglican clergyman, Roman Catholic priest, church builder and hermit whose work became closely associated with the religious and architectural heritage of Cat Island and other parts of The Bahamas. Today, his best-known Bahamian legacy is Hermitage on Mount Alvernia near New Bight, Cat Island.
Hawes trained as an architect before being ordained an Anglican priest in 1903. His early missionary work brought him to The Bahamas after a hurricane damaged churches, and he worked on Long Island, where he designed St. Paul’s Church in Clarence Town. After leaving The Bahamas, he converted to Roman Catholicism in 1911, studied for the priesthood in Rome and was ordained a Catholic priest in 1915. He subsequently spent more than two decades working as a priest, architect and builder in Western Australia.
In 1939, Hawes returned to The Bahamas seeking a more solitary religious life. He settled on Cat Island and chose Como Hill, the country's highest natural point at 206 feet (63 meters), for his hermitage. He renamed the hill Mount Alvernia in reference to La Verna in Tuscany, associated with St. Francis of Assisi. Using local stone, Hawes constructed the small monastery complex that became known as The Hermitage.
The site incorporates Hawes' architectural skills with his Franciscan-inspired contemplative life. Visitors climbing Mount Alvernia encounter his hand-carved Stations of the Cross before reaching the chapel, small living spaces and stone structures at the summit.
Father Jerome died in 1956. His life and surviving architecture make him an important historical figure for travelers exploring Cat Island's religious heritage, architecture and cultural history.
KEY FACTS
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Destination Name: Father Jerome Hawes / Monsignor John Cyril Hawes
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Category: History, Culture & Heritage
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Destination Type: Historical Figure / Religious Heritage / Architectural Heritage
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Location: Primarily associated with Mount Alvernia, Cat Island, The Bahamas
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Island Group: Bahamian Out Islands
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Born: September 7, 1876, Richmond, Surrey, England
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Died: June 26, 1956, Miami, Florida
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Known For: The Hermitage, Mount Alvernia, church architecture, missionary work and his later life as a hermit
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Best For: History enthusiasts, architecture enthusiasts, cultural travelers, photographers, religious-heritage visitors and hikers
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Nearby Attractions: Mount Alvernia, The Hermitage, New Bight, New Bight Beach and New Bight Fish Fry
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Transportation Access: Road access to the Mount Alvernia area followed by a steep walk to The Hermitage
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Ferry Access: Not directly applicable
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Airport Access: New Bight Airport is located near Mount Alvernia.
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Ideal Length of Visit: Approximately 1–2 hours for Mount Alvernia and The Hermitage
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Best Time to Visit: Year-round; cooler parts of the day are preferable for the exposed uphill walk
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Family Friendly: Generally suitable for families comfortable with a steep, rocky climb
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
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Father Jerome was a trained architect before pursuing his religious vocation, bringing professional architectural knowledge to his church-building work.
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He first served as an Anglican priest before converting to Roman Catholicism in 1911 and being ordained a Catholic priest in Rome in 1915.
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His early Bahamas work included designing St. Paul’s Church in Clarence Town on Long Island.
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Hawes spent more than two decades working as a priest and architect in Western Australia before returning to The Bahamas in 1939.
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He selected Como Hill on Cat Island for his hermitage and renamed it Mount Alvernia after the Franciscan site of La Verna in Tuscany.
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Mount Alvernia rises 206 feet above sea level and is the highest point in The Bahamas.
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Hawes built The Hermitage using local stone, creating a compact monastery integrated with the rocky summit.
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The complex includes an oratory, small living quarters and other spaces designed for a solitary religious life.
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Hand-carved stone reliefs depicting the Stations of the Cross appear along the climb toward The Hermitage.
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The Oratory of the Holy Spirit was completed in 1940 and drew architectural inspiration from ancient Celtic oratories.
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Father Jerome continued assisting Catholic communities on Cat Island even while pursuing a contemplative life.
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His architectural legacy extends beyond Cat Island to religious buildings elsewhere in The Bahamas, including Long Island and New Providence.
FATHER JEROME & THE HERMITAGE
Father Jerome's strongest geographic association in The Bahamas is with Mount Alvernia near New Bight. When he returned to the country in 1939, he sought a location where he could pursue the Franciscan ideal of solitude and contemplation. Como Hill provided both physical isolation and the country's highest elevation.
He renamed the hill Mount Alvernia and began developing his retreat. Construction included a water cistern, an oratory, living quarters, kitchen, tower and guest cell. Rather than imposing a large structure on the summit, Hawes incorporated local stone and the existing rock into the complex.
The resulting Hermitage remains the physical landmark most closely associated with Father Jerome and one of Cat Island's principal historic attractions.
ARCHITECTURAL & RELIGIOUS LEGACY
Hawes' importance extends beyond his life as the Hermit of Cat Island. His unusual career combined architecture and religious ministry across England, The Bahamas and Western Australia. His professional training allowed him to design religious buildings while serving the communities where he worked.
In The Bahamas, his architectural connections include churches on Cat Island, Long Island and New Providence. The official Bahamas tourism authority specifically notes that he built cathedrals and convents throughout the country.
This broader body of work makes Father Jerome relevant not only to the history of Cat Island but also to travelers researching Bahamian church architecture and religious heritage.
VISITOR INFORMATION
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Best Time to Visit: Year-round; mornings and later afternoons can make the exposed climb more comfortable
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Suggested Visit Duration: Approximately 1–2 hours
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Accessibility: The final approach involves a steep rocky incline and stone staircase.
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Transportation Options: Rental car or taxi to the Mount Alvernia/New Bight area
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Ferry Access: Not directly applicable
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Airport Access: New Bight Airport is nearby and has Customs and Immigration services.
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Road Conditions: Road access reaches the general Mount Alvernia area; the summit itself is reached on foot
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Accommodation Availability: Resorts, villas, inns and cottages are available around central Cat Island
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Dining Availability: New Bight Fish Fry and locally operated restaurants serve the surrounding area
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Family Suitability: Suitable for families capable of handling the uphill walk
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Swimming Suitability: Not applicable to the historic site; nearby Cat Island beaches provide swimming opportunities
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Snorkeling Suitability: Not applicable
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Diving Opportunities: Available elsewhere around Cat Island
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Boating Opportunities: Available through local resorts and marine operators
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Fishing Opportunities: Bonefishing and offshore fishing are available elsewhere on Cat Island
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Photography Opportunities: Stone architecture, Stations of the Cross, Mount Alvernia landscape and elevated views across Cat Island
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Infrastructure Level: Basic historic-site infrastructure rather than a developed visitor complex
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Weather Considerations: Heat, direct sun and rain can affect the steep outdoor climb
FAQ
IS FATHER JEROME THE MAN WHO BUILT THE HERMITAGE ON CAT ISLAND?
Yes. Father Jerome, formally Monsignor John Cyril Hawes, constructed The Hermitage on Mount Alvernia after returning to The Bahamas in 1939. The stone retreat became his home and remains his best-known Cat Island landmark.
WHAT WAS FATHER JEROME'S REAL NAME?
Father Jerome was born John Cyril Hawes in England in 1876. He was also known as Monsignor John Hawes and, during his hermit life, as Father or Fra Jerome.
WHERE DID FATHER JEROME LIVE ON CAT ISLAND?
He lived at The Hermitage on Mount Alvernia, formerly known as Como Hill, near New Bight. At 206 feet above sea level, Mount Alvernia is the highest point in The Bahamas.
CAN YOU VISIT FATHER JEROME'S HERMITAGE?
Yes. Visitors can climb Mount Alvernia to reach The Hermitage and see its small stone structures and Stations of the Cross. The route includes a steep rocky incline and stone steps, so appropriate footwear is advisable.
ARE THERE OTHER FATHER JEROME BUILDINGS IN THE BAHAMAS?
Yes. His architectural work extended to other parts of The Bahamas, including Long Island and New Providence, as well as several churches on Cat Island. His work in Clarence Town on Long Island is particularly significant to his early Bahamian career.
WHY DID FATHER JEROME BUILD THE HERMITAGE?
Hawes had a longstanding attraction to contemplative and Franciscan spirituality and returned to The Bahamas seeking a solitary religious life. Mount Alvernia provided the setting where he could construct a small retreat for prayer and contemplation.
HOW HIGH IS MOUNT ALVERNIA ON CAT ISLAND?
Mount Alvernia reaches 206 feet, or 63 meters, above sea level. Although modest in elevation by international standards, it is the highest natural point in The Bahamas.
TRAVELER EXPECTATION SUMMARY
Travelers exploring Father Jerome's legacy encounter a combination of Bahamian history, religious heritage, architecture and Cat Island geography. The principal experience is the climb to The Hermitage, where Hawes' compact stone buildings, hand-carved Stations of the Cross and isolated hilltop setting provide physical context for the architect-priest's later life as the Hermit of Cat Island.
LOCAL AND DESTINATION CONTEXT
Father Jerome's legacy is centered on Mount Alvernia near New Bight in central Cat Island. The hill connects naturally with The Hermitage, New Bight Airport, New Bight Beach and the island's central travel corridor, while Hawes' wider architectural work links Cat Island with Long Island and New Providence. His story therefore strengthens the historical relationship between Cat Island's local heritage and the broader religious and architectural history of The Bahamas.
RELATED DESTINATIONS
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