Patrick B. Nanton

The Restoration of St. John's Cathedral honours today the life of Patrick B. Nanton and others who fell in the Second World War.

Caribbean aircrew in the RAF during WW2

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Patrick Nanton was reported missing believed killed on 4 November 1942. He was conducting operations against enemy shipping over the Aegean Sea. He flew the Wellington Mk VIII torpedo carrying bomber.

Wellington Mk VIII

Here is a YouTube video that shows the kind of action in which he and his crew were engaged.

Interior Wood Work

Most of the interior wood covering over the walls has been installed.

Sanctuary

Work in the Sanctuary has begun.  All the wood paneling has been removed and the rotted beams have been replaced.

 

Sanctuary prior to Restoration

Sanctuary with wood paneling and beams removed.

Cracks above the window opening.

Cracks were above all the window openings.

Sanctuary with new beams installed.

North Balcony Floor Joists

North Balcony floor joists are in.

Balcony Floor Joists

The South balcony floor joists are complete.  They are waiting for the floor boards to be nailed to them.

Work has slowed down.  We are working at a rate we can afford not at a rate that we would like.  As donations reduce the completion of this project slips further and further down the road.  In spite of this, we continue to walk in our faith.  

Ceiling

The ceiling work has begun

This is where we are heading.

Interdependence

We are waiting on some beams.  They along with quite a few other pieces of lumber have been ordered and are on the way.  The delay is due to the severe winter conditions in North America.  Trucking has been dramatically affected by the polar vorticies and Artic chills that have shut down highways and caused accidents.  

Beam work in the West balcony

One can easily forget, while living in the tropics, that our Northern neighbours, on whom we depend for so many things, endure severe weather conditions on an annual basis.  As we are seeing with this Restoration, what affects them also affect us.  Its nothing new.  In 2011 when we were reconstructing the roof, several beam shipments were delayed as hurricanes mercifully missed our island but dramatically affected shipping in the region.  As they say the world is shrinking.  Therefore when we pray for people in calamitous regions around the world, we are in fact also praying for ourselves.  We are not independent.  We are interdependent.  Can't help but see the hand of God in this.