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Spanish Missions in Trinidad were established as part of theSpanish colonisation of its new possessions. In 1687 theCatholicCatalanCapuchin friars were given responsibility forreligious conversions of theindigenous Amerindian residents ofTrinidad and theGuianas.
Tensions between priests and Amerindians led to the Arena Massacre of 1699, wherein the Amerindians murdered the priests. After being hunted by the Spanish, the survivors are reported to have committed suicide by jumping off cliffs into the sea. In 1713, the missions were handed over to the secular clergy. Due to shortages of missionaries, although the missions were established they often went without Christian instruction for long periods of time. In 1713 the missions were handed over to thesecular clergy. Due to shortages of missionaries, although the missions were established they often went without Christian instruction for long periods of time.
Between 1687 and 1700 several missions were founded in Trinidad, but only four survived asAmerindian villages throughout the eighteenth century - La Anuncíacion de Nazaret de Sabana Grande (modernPrinces Town), Purísima Concepción de María Santísima de Guayri (modernSan Fernando), Santa Ana de Sabaneta (modern Savonetta), Nuestra Señora de Montserrate (probably modern Mayo). The mission of Santa Rosa de Arima was established in 1789 when Amerindians from the formerencomiendas ofTacarigua and Arauca (Arouca) were relocated further west.
