Church and Society in Trinidad 1864-1900

Book excerpt: This Third Volume of the History of the Catholic Church covers the period in Trinidad from 1864-1900. Naturally, the period under study has been influenced, not only by the preceding historical forces operating in Trinidad from 1498 to 1863, but also by the other contemporary religious and secular forces. Since the landing of Columbus in Trinidad in 1498, the Island remained under Spanish Colonial rule until 1797 when the British conquered the Spanish forces and occupied it. During Spanish rule, there was only one major religion in Trinidad i.e. Christianity and only one Church i.e. the Roman Catholic Church.