Alto Visa Chapel Aruba

Alto vista chapel mass times

Services at Alto Vista are unique because they are held outside of standard Sunday morning hours: Weekly Tuesday Mass: Every Tuesday evening at 5:30 PM, a short, 35-to-45-minute Mass is conducted by a priest from the nearby parish in Noord. First Saturday Mass: On the first Saturday of every month, an early morning Mass is traditionally held at 7:00 AM.

History of the Alto Vista Chapel: Aruba’s First Church

The origins of the Alto Vista Chapel date back to 1750, when the original structure was built by a Spanish missionary named Domingo Antonio Silvestre. Constructed using stone and a thatched roof, it served as the island’s very first Catholic church and became the birthplace of Christianity in Aruba.

The name Alto Vista translates directly to “High View” in Spanish—a fitting description given its elevated position. While the original 18th-century structure fell into ruin over time after a devastating plague hit the area, the current vibrant yellow chapel was meticulously rebuilt in 1952 on the exact same sacred foundations. Today, it remains an active place of worship and a deeply meaningful pilgrimage site for local residents.

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