Sporadic attempts by Franciscan and Dominican missionaries to establish Roman Catholicism among the Maya at LAMANAI (Hillbank) in the North and TIPU (Negroman) in the West. In the South, Spanish monks and priests ministered occasionally to the Garifuna refugees from Honduras. In Belize City, Yucatecan priests briefly fostered the faith among Spanish-speaking merchants.

Arrival of first resident Jesuit from Jamaica, Fr. Eustace du Peyron, marking the permanent establishment of the Roman Catholic Church in Belize.

First church of the Most Holy Redeemer is built on site in the former B.E.C. compound near the present Cathedral.

First church is destroyed in the great Northside Fire.

Work is started at present Cathedral site on the new Holy Redeemer Church.

Blessing of the new church of the Most Holy Redeemer.

Arrival of first English Jesuit, Bro. Mark Quinn S.J., joining the Italian and other European Jesuits in Belize to start Holy Redeemer School.

Further modifications are done to the church building.

The Belize Catholic Mission detaches from the Vicariate of Jamaica and becomes a Prefecture Apostolic under Fr. Di Pietro, S.J.

Old sacristy is replaced.

Sanctuary is enlarged in preparation for Cathedral status. Fr. Salvador Di Pietro, S.J. appointed first bishop of the Vicariate of Belize.

Cathedral is consecrated to the Most Holy Redeemer. The Jesuits of the Missouri Province in the U.S.A. take over administration of the church in Belize from the English Jesuits.

Massive construction program by Bishop Murphy with Fr. Tenk, S.J. the builder.

Diocese is established with appointment of first Bishop of the Diocese of Belize (David F. Hickey S.J.)

Fr. Osmond Peter Martin is consecrated Auxiliary Bishop.

John Paul II makes first Papal visit to Belize.

Bishop R.L. Hodapp retires after 26 years as the last Jesuit bishop of Belize. First Belizean-born prelate, Most Rev. O. P. Martin, is appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan.

Bishop Martin summons first synod of the Diocese.

The Great Jubilee Year is marked by interparish pilgrimages throughout the diocese.

Launch of Renovation campaign. Only with your support can this project be successful!