My wife is a lifelong, devout Catholic. Through our travels I have been fortunate to visit some of the most beautiful churches in a lot of different countries. Some of them are not surprising, famous churches in famous locations. Some are in out of the way places and not well known outside their immediate surroundings. These tucked away gems are just as beautiful and their secludedness rival the more famous and traveled to churches.

My personal favorite so far is San Pedro Roman Catholic Church on the island of San Pedro off the coast of Belize. The original church is said to have been built by villagers around 1905 with the help of James Howell Blake II. The Blake's were a very fervent Catholic family. It was a concrete building, beautiful and outstanding among the thatch houses of the village. The church had an uninterrupted view of the Caribbean Sea and was the pride of San Pedro. It was the same Caribbean Sea that destroyed the church in the 1942 hurricane. However, the villagers of San Pedro would not have it without a church and by 1949 a brand new one was built on a lot owned by the Blake family. It was an all-wooden structure with a veranda all around. Then came Hurricane Hattie in 1961 and demolished the entire beach of San Pedro. The church was saved but badly damaged. Plans for a new concrete church were drawn up in 1962 but fundraising and construction took until 1977 to complete the majestic and new pride of San Pedro that is enjoyed today.

As beautiful as the church is though, it's really hard for a guy like me to pay attention to Father Tom Merkel's sermon. The church is open air and there is a door that is left open on the East side, where the sea is. The church sits just off the beach and the view of the sea in the mornings is spectacular. You can clearly see the poling skiffs cutting a wake towards the flats. Men wearing long-sleeved, high SPF shirts, buffs and Polarized glasses, probably dreaming of Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit, are stretching leaders, selecting and tying on fresh flies on the ride to the Savanah Flats, Hicks Caye or any of a number of great fishing locations in the area. It makes me smile to see the boats heading out. I am envious and I say an extra prayer that these guys have good luck on their trips. It's also soothing to smell the salt air and here the Frigate Birds calling out while observing Communion. For me church is a comforting, and nothing is more comforting than bringing the sights and smells of nature into the reading of The Gospel.

I really enjoy your stories. Sounds peaceful and relaxing.

Thank you Lindy!
It really is a beautiful place.

Fantastic shot and great write up! I can see how someone may get a little distracted looking out that door, start daydreaming and maybe miss just a bit of the sermon.

Great story, thanks for sharing and mine is similar just not as exotic. Some of the nostalgic moments whether down Padre Island or to Ouray have been to visit some of these hidden gems. It reminds me during my fly fishing adventures just how thankful I am and the graces given to me. There's nothing short of glorious of hitting 730am mass of St. Mary by the Sea in Aransas Pass and then spending the rest of the day chasing reds in the flats in Sept/October. And they seem so welcoming to fishermen and visitors!