A long-awaited chapel has reached a major construction milestone, with an opening date set to be announced in the near future.
The chapel on St Lucia’s famed pitons which is one of the most ambitious building projects in the island’s modern history, has reached a milestone many believed they would never witness: After 4 years of tortuous challenges to complete it’s construction, the iconic place of prayer and worship designed and sponsored by British entrepreneur and spiritual guru Michael Jacques is officially finished.
Speaking exclusively to AfroSaxonVoice from his South London home Jacques, the managing director of Pitton Experiences Ltd said that the idea for the chapel came up after he became embroiled in a protracted legal battle with Lord Glenconner, a British aristocrat which lasted for over 30 years in the St. Lucia courts and wanted to give something back to the land of his birth.
In his book ‘The Fallen Bud’ first time author Jacques,69, recounts his version of events and what transpired between him and the Scottish aristocrat.
The South Londoner who have been practising martial arts for most of his life said that the idea to build the chapel has been something he has been thinking about for quite some time. ” I think we need a place where people of different faiths can come to congregate and to meet in the area. There are no places where people can meet and so the chapel will be a great place to meet and to congregate, where one can find solace.” said Jacques who plans to create a retreat on Gros Piton mountain where in his words ‘a privileged few can visit and gather with others who share a love of nature free from disruption by those who do not value the peace of tranquil surroundings’.
Jacques,69, whose family comes from the Morne La Croix area where the chapel is being built remembers living there as a child in the 60s. He said: “It was a lovely place to be growing up as a child. I enjoyed my childhood there before coming to the UK. It is the ideal place to build this wonderful place of worship.”
This glorious project built between the island’s incredible twin peaks which offers spectacular and breathtaking views is easily set to become one of the world’s most recognizable religious landmarks when it is finally opened thanks to it’s prime location which is a UNESCO world heritage site.
The law and society graduate who runs the website www.mabet.com told AfroSaxonHeat that he is happy to fund this project from his own financial resources after his debacle with the shameless aristocrat which cost him a fortune on air fares and legal fees.
. He said: “Lord Glenconner took my land away from me and so I had to do something about it. I wanted to give something back to my people. I wanted to give something that I will be remembered by to my area and to my island. It is something that I had to do.”
He adds ”The chapel will be an inclusive congregation seeking to share God’s love through worship, reading and hospitality. It is going to be a gift to the community.”
Jacques who practices Tai Chi and other personal development disciplines maintains that God has blessed him with the vision to build this magnificent place of worship which will serve the entire community and guests. He said that he is looking forward to welcoming patrons to his CoCo-Nut Retreat ,an extension to the chapel after it’s completed so people can immersed in activities like sound healing, meditation sessions and holistic health workshops designed to restore balance. ” I am happy with the way things are going right now and I would like it to continue. I want to do all in my power to help humanity find solace peace and tranquility. ” The man of God declares.