The All Saints Anglican church, one of the more popular churches for weddings in this country, begins celebrations of its 170th anniversary today. It does so with an 8 am service at the St Clair church, followed by a brunch for parishioners.
In an interview, church member and chair of its Strategic Visioning Committee, Grace Talma, said the church anniversary was being held in a way that called for participation from all members and parishioners.
Talma, whose committee focused on charting a way forward for the church, said All Saints would spend the entire year in celebratory activities.
“We are having a year’s celebration. The actual birthday of the church is May 7 but because of other activities taking place, we decided on the Sunday (today), a service at 8 am followed by a brunch.”
Talma said the church invited all its membership as well as ambassadors and business people located in the vicinity of the church.
“This is the launch of the 170th celebrations.
“We will also be having a concert in July by the Marionettes and other activities to focus on the 170th achievement.”
Talma said they were also looking at fund-raising to restore the church building. The church completed a new multi-purpose hall at a cost of $10 million in 2012, but Talma said there was a lot more work to be done.
“We want to increase the membership of the church and encourage greater participation from members,” said Talma.
She said the church wanted to focus on getting deeper into the spiritual aspect of life and youth and young women.
“Our church is different in a way because it is popular with people who want to get married as it is right next to the Savannah. It is an urban church. It has a lot of history and a lot of visitors come here.”
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
The church bought the two parcels of land, which was part of a 20-acre coffee plantation in 1845. Ground was broken and the foundation stone laid for All Saints Chapel of Ease, in deference to the Cathedral Church in downtown, consecrated as a cathedral after the reconstruction of the Anglican Church in 1818. In 1846 All Saints Chapel of Ease was dedicated.
All Saints parish includes All Saints Gordon home which was given to the church as a sanctuary for old people by Mr Winston Gordon Gordon and All Saints Hall. Three bishops, including the present Bishop Rev Claude Berkeley served as priests at All Saints.