The Angelic Church, located on what was once called Södra Strandgatan during the Swedish era (now Rue Samuel Fahlberg), is a testament to St. Barth’s diverse religious history. This charming church, with its foundation stone laid on February 24, 1853, by Swedish governor James Harlef Haasum, was primarily funded by the merchant Richard Dinzey. The church’s establishment reflects the island’s religious evolution from its Catholic roots to a multi-denominational society. Before Swedish colonization, the island’s 739 inhabitants were served by a small Catholic church in Lorient.
The arrival of Lutheran Protestants in 1785 and Methodists in the 1790s diversified the religious landscape. However, it wasn’t until 1851 that the Anglican congregation was formed, with this church being completed four years later. In its early years, services were conducted by visiting preachers from neighboring islands and later by American priests. The church’s history also mirrors the island’s changing demographics and colonial shifts. For a decade in the early 1900s, St.
Barth had a resident priest, but it wasn’t until 2002 that a permanent priest settled on the island. Today, the Angelic Church stands as a beautiful reminder of St. Barth’s complex religious and colonial past, offering visitors a glimpse into the island’s rich cultural tapestry.
