St Ann’s Church 🇦🇼

You will find St Ann's Church along the northern portion of Aruba, a historic Roman Catholic site within the Catholic Diocese of Willemstad. If you appreciate rich history and religious art, this site offers a fascinating look into the island's heritage. The church traces its roots back to 1776 when construction originally began after the Chapel of Alto Vista fell into disuse.

At that time, dedicated to Saint Ann, it became Aruba's second most important religious meeting place. Over the centuries, the church was rebuilt and renovated several times, including major reconstructions in 1831, 1886, and between 1914 and 1919, with further work done in 2002 and after roof damage from a severe 2011 storm. When you visit, you can admire remarkable neo-Gothic sculpture inside.

The church houses a carved oak retable, communion rail, and pulpit created in 1870 by Dutch sculptor Hendrik van der Geld. Remarkably, these exquisite historic pieces won a prize at the first Vatican Council in Rome in 1870 before eventually being donated to this parish in 1928. Even after a storm ripped the roof open in 2011, these prized treasures remained unharmed, allowing you to see their incredible craft today.

What to see at St Ann's Church

• Carved oak retable created by Dutch sculptor Hendrik van der Geld in 1870
• Historic altar pieces that won a prize at the first Vatican Council in Rome
• Rich history dating back to 1776 as Aruba's second most important religious site
• Fine examples of neo-Gothic sculpture including a historic communion rail and pulpit

Visiting tips

Take time to appreciate the historic 1870 carved oak woodwork inside, which remarkably survived unharmed when a severe 2011 storm damaged the church's roof.

How long: 1 hour · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

St Ann's Church is easy to reach on Oranjestad’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Oranjestad travel guide.