Mount Alvernia & The Hermitage, Cat Island: History, Hike, Views & Visitor Guide
INTRODUCTION
Mount Alvernia and The Hermitage form one of the most recognizable historical and spiritual landmarks on Cat Island. Rising 206 feet (63 meters) above sea level near New Bight, Mount Alvernia—also known locally as Como Hill—is the highest point in The Bahamas. At its summit stands The Hermitage, the small stone monastery constructed in 1939 by Monsignor John Hawes, better known on Cat Island as Father Jerome.
Travelers visit for several interconnected reasons: the country's highest natural elevation, the steep hilltop walk, the hand-carved Stations of the Cross, Father Jerome's architecture and the panoramic views across Cat Island. Unlike a conventional museum or developed historical attraction, much of the experience comes from walking through the landscape and seeing how the stone structure occupies the summit.
The site particularly suits history travelers, photographers, hikers, architecture enthusiasts and visitors interested in Cat Island's religious heritage.
For beaches, settlements, accommodations, dining and other things to do on Cat Island, pair this focused landmark guide with the Ultimate Cat Island Travel Guide.
WHY MOUNT ALVERNIA IS IMPORTANT
Mount Alvernia has a distinction no other hill in The Bahamas can claim.
At 206 feet, or approximately 63 meters, it is officially recognized as the highest point in The Bahamas. The hill is traditionally known locally as Como Hill.
Its significance, however, extends beyond elevation.
The summit became inseparable from the story of Father Jerome, who transformed the hill into a place of religious contemplation. The resulting Hermitage combines the natural geography of Cat Island with architecture, Catholic history and the personal story of one of the country's most distinctive religious builders.
That combination makes Mount Alvernia different from a simple scenic overlook.
Visitors experience the hill as a sequence: the climb, religious carvings along the route, arrival at the monastery and finally the elevated landscape surrounding it.
WHO WAS FATHER JEROME?
Father Jerome was born John Cyril Hawes in 1876 and originally trained as an architect. Archival records show that he was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1903 and first worked in The Bahamas following the destructive 1908 hurricane, helping with church reconstruction. He later converted to Catholicism and was ordained a Catholic priest in Rome in 1915.
His architectural background remained an important part of his religious career.
After years of religious and architectural work abroad, Hawes returned to The Bahamas in 1939 and settled on Cat Island. Increasingly drawn toward the contemplative side of Franciscan spirituality, he established his retreat on Como Hill.
Cat Islanders knew him as Father Jerome.
His legacy extends beyond Cat Island. The Bahamas tourism authority notes that he was responsible for cathedrals and convents elsewhere in the archipelago, including on Long Island and New Providence.
Yet The Hermitage became his personal retreat and remains the structure most closely associated with him today.
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME MOUNT ALVERNIA
The name adds another layer to the site's religious significance.
Father Jerome renamed Como Hill Mount Alvernia in reference to La Verna in Tuscany, Italy, a location closely associated with St. Francis of Assisi.
According to the official Bahamas tourism authority, La Verna was given to St. Francis as a place for peaceful contemplation and is traditionally associated with his receiving the stigmata. Father Jerome was an admirer of St. Francis, making the connection between the Italian religious site and his Cat Island retreat intentional.
The name therefore helps explain why Father Jerome selected such an isolated summit for The Hermitage.
For him, elevation and solitude were part of the site's purpose rather than merely scenic advantages.
THE HERMITAGE
Father Jerome built The Hermitage in 1939 using local stone. The Bahamas tourism authority describes it as a small medieval-style monastery created as a place where he could withdraw from the outside world.
Its modest scale is part of its character.
Rather than a monumental cathedral, visitors encounter compact stone spaces designed around solitude, worship and everyday religious life. Archival documentation associated with Mount Alvernia identifies elements including the Hermit's Cell, Oratory, Kitchen and Refectory, St. Francis's Grotto and Chapel of the Holy Ghost.
The architecture makes particularly effective use of the exposed summit.
Stone walls, openings and small interior spaces contrast with broad views beyond the structure, reinforcing the relationship between isolation, landscape and contemplation.
This architectural character is one reason The Hermitage remains among the most distinctive historical sites on Cat Island.
HIKING TO THE HERMITAGE
Reaching The Hermitage requires walking uphill.
The official tourism authority describes the route as a stone staircase ascending a steep rocky incline, while its broader Cat Island guide characterizes the outing as a light hike.
The distance is relatively short, but visitors should not confuse short with completely effortless.
Uneven stone, exposed rock, heat and the gradient can make the ascent more demanding for travelers with limited mobility.
Practical preparation is simple:
-
Wear shoes with reliable grip.
-
Bring drinking water.
-
Take your time on uneven sections.
-
Use additional caution after rain.
-
Protect yourself from strong midday sun.
-
Allow time to stop along the Stations of the Cross.
Travelers with significant mobility limitations should evaluate the rocky approach before committing to the climb.
THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The journey to The Hermitage is part of the site's spiritual experience.
Along the ascent are hand-carved stone reliefs depicting the Stations of the Cross, created by Father Jerome.
These carvings transform the climb from a straightforward trail into a religious pathway.
Visitors interested in architecture and history can appreciate the craftsmanship even without approaching the site as a pilgrimage. For Christian visitors, however, the sequence adds a more explicitly devotional dimension to the ascent.
Because the Stations are integrated into the landscape, travelers should avoid rushing directly to the summit.
Moving slowly provides time to examine the stonework and better understand how Father Jerome conceived the entire hillside—not just the monastery—as part of his retreat.
THE VIEW FROM THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE BAHAMAS
Reaching the summit provides the visual reward for the climb.
The official tourism authority describes 360-degree views around Cat Island from Mount Alvernia.
The elevation would be modest by continental mountain standards, but Cat Island's relatively low terrain means that 206 feet creates a surprisingly broad perspective.
From the summit, visitors can appreciate the relationship between Cat Island's rolling landscape, vegetation, settlements and surrounding water.
This is also what makes Mount Alvernia particularly useful for understanding Cat Island geographically. Beaches provide a coastline-level perspective; the summit provides the opposite.
For photographers, the combination of historic stone architecture and elevated landscape creates some of the island's most distinctive compositions.
BEST TIME TO VISIT MOUNT ALVERNIA
Morning is generally a practical time for the Mount Alvernia hike because temperatures and sun exposure can become stronger later in the day.
Late afternoon can provide attractive light for photography, but visitors planning around sunset should leave enough daylight to descend the uneven rocky path safely.
Weather also matters.
Dry conditions provide more secure footing than wet rock, while clear weather improves long-distance visibility from the summit.
There is no need for advanced hiking ability. The official tourism authority describes Mount Alvernia as a light hike, but footwear and basic physical mobility remain important because of the steep stone approach.
GETTING TO MOUNT ALVERNIA
Mount Alvernia is located at Como Hill near New Bight in central Cat Island.
Its location makes the landmark relatively convenient for travelers staying around the central part of the island.
New Bight Airport is also located near Mount Alvernia and provides Customs and Immigration services for international travelers.
Because Cat Island's settlements and attractions are dispersed, having a rental vehicle or arranged transportation is useful when incorporating The Hermitage into a broader itinerary.
Travelers should not expect the level of transportation infrastructure found in Nassau. Planning the route before departure and confirming local road conditions is sensible.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU SPEND AT THE HERMITAGE?
For most visitors, Mount Alvernia works well as a focused half-day or shorter outing rather than an all-day excursion.
Allow time for:
the approach to the hill, the climb, viewing the Stations of the Cross, exploring the exterior and accessible areas of The Hermitage, taking photographs, appreciating the summit views and descending carefully.
Travelers interested in architecture, religious history or photography may naturally spend longer.
Because this is a culturally and spiritually significant site, the experience benefits from a slower pace rather than treating the summit simply as a viewpoint.
VISITING RESPECTFULLY
The Hermitage is more than a scenic backdrop.
It represents Father Jerome's religious life and remains one of Cat Island's most significant spiritual landmarks. Visitors should treat its architecture, carvings and surrounding landscape accordingly.
Avoid climbing unnecessarily on historic stonework, scratching or marking surfaces, removing stones or other material, and leaving litter.
Photography should preserve rather than interfere with the site.
The site's relatively undeveloped character is part of its value, and responsible visitation helps maintain that quality.
FATHER JEROME'S FINAL YEARS
Mount Alvernia was not simply a building project for Father Jerome. It became his home.
Archival records indicate that after settling on Cat Island in 1939, he lived in effective isolation as a hermit for approximately the remaining sixteen years of his life.
Father Jerome died in 1956.
The official Bahamas tourism authority states that he is believed to have been buried somewhere on The Hermitage site.
This personal connection distinguishes the landmark from structures designed only for public worship.
The hill was simultaneously his architectural creation, spiritual retreat and home.
MOUNT ALVERNIA AND NEW BIGHT
Mount Alvernia's location near New Bight creates an important geographic connection within Cat Island.
New Bight is one of the island's central communities and provides a useful base for reaching the hill. The area also helps connect Mount Alvernia with Cat Island's everyday culture rather than isolating it as a standalone tourism attraction.
Visitors exploring central Cat Island can combine the landmark with New Bight and other nearby experiences while keeping Mount Alvernia itself as the day's primary historical focus.
For broader planning, a dedicated New Bight, Cat Island Guide can cover dining, community life, transportation and nearby attractions without duplicating this Mount Alvernia article.
LOCAL & DESTINATION CONTEXT
Mount Alvernia connects New Bight → central Cat Island → Father Jerome's architectural heritage → the wider cultural landscape of The Bahamas. Father Jerome's work was not confined to Cat Island; he also contributed religious architecture elsewhere in the country, including Long Island and New Providence. On Cat Island, however, The Hermitage represents the most personal expression of his work, combining local stone, religious symbolism, the island's highest natural elevation and a landscape deliberately chosen for solitude.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS MOUNT ALVERNIA REALLY THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE BAHAMAS?
Yes. Mount Alvernia reaches 206 feet (63 meters) above sea level and is the highest point in The Bahamas.
WHAT IS THE HERMITAGE ON CAT ISLAND?
The Hermitage is a small medieval-style stone monastery built by Father Jerome on the summit of Mount Alvernia in 1939 as a place for contemplation and solitude.
WHERE IS MOUNT ALVERNIA LOCATED?
Mount Alvernia is at Como Hill near New Bight on Cat Island, The Bahamas.
CAN YOU HIKE TO THE HERMITAGE?
Yes. Visitors reach The Hermitage by climbing a stone staircase and rocky incline to the summit. The official tourism authority describes the experience as a light hike.
ARE THERE STATIONS OF THE CROSS ON MOUNT ALVERNIA?
Yes. Father Jerome created detailed hand-carved stone reliefs representing the Stations of the Cross along the ascent.
WHO BUILT THE HERMITAGE?
Monsignor John Hawes, known locally as Father Jerome, designed and built The Hermitage using local stone. He was both a priest and a trained architect.
WHY IS MOUNT ALVERNIA ALSO CALLED COMO HILL?
Como Hill is the hill's traditional local name. Father Jerome renamed it Mount Alvernia after La Verna in Tuscany, a site associated with St. Francis of Assisi.
HOW HIGH IS MOUNT ALVERNIA?
Mount Alvernia is 206 feet, or approximately 63 meters, above sea level.
EXPLORE MORE CAT ISLAND GUIDES
CONCLUSION
Mount Alvernia and The Hermitage combine three distinctive Cat Island experiences in one place: The Bahamas' highest natural point, an accessible hilltop walk and one of the country's most unusual religious landmarks.
The significance of the site extends beyond its 206-foot elevation. Father Jerome deliberately selected the summit as a place of solitude, constructed The Hermitage from local stone in 1939 and incorporated hand-carved Stations of the Cross into the ascent. He ultimately spent the final years of his life there.
For history enthusiasts, photographers, hikers, architecture travelers and visitors interested in Bahamian religious heritage, Mount Alvernia deserves focused time rather than simply a quick photo stop.
Continue with the Ultimate Cat Island Travel Guide to place The Hermitage within a broader itinerary covering Cat Island's settlements, beaches, accommodations, dining, culture and natural attractions.
Mount Alvernia, Mt. Alvernia, The Hermitage, Cat Island, The Bahamas, Como Hill, New Bight, Father Jerome, Monsignor John Hawes, John Cyril Hawes, St. Francis of Assisi, La Verna, Stations of the Cross, Hermit's Cell, Oratory, St. Francis's Grotto, Chapel of the Holy Ghost, medieval-style monastery, local stone architecture, Catholic heritage, religious architecture, Bahamian history, Cat Island history, Cat Island landmarks, highest point in The Bahamas, 206 feet, 63 meters, hilltop views, 360-degree views, cultural tourism, heritage tourism, spiritual tourism, photography, hiking, sightseeing, architecture, New Bight Airport, rental car, local transportation, central Cat Island
Updated as of August 2026.