Neil Richards | Grandeur of principal church buildings of former southern parishes

Before the start of the 20th century when Jamaican parish boundaries were different from today, there was a principal church building in each of the administrative parishes within the southern region of the Jamaican county of Middlesex.

Radical changes to the boundaries and size of the parish that was originally named and spelt St Katherine (subsequently spelt St Catherine) is the reason a cathedral in that very modified precinct is described as the principal church-building in a former administrative parish. Also within southern Middlesex, there was a principal church building in a parish that was named St Dorothy, and also within a parish that was named Vere.

The three former principal church buildings which are now historic religious sanctuaries, were constructed to accommodate and facilitate Christian worship by Anglican congregations (the Church of England) which was the Established Church – established by law in England and the colonies.

In the book Emancipation to Emigration, authors R. Greenwood and S. Hamber describe the Anglican Church prior to emancipation as “the church of the planters”. That description referred to the plantocracy or ‘backra’ and their social kin whose lucrative livelihoods was mainly from agriculture on the fertile southern plains of Jamaica. Slowly after emancipation, congregations of the Established Church became more representative of the national population.

In the book titled AMEN by Jacqueline Young, the physical features and history of the three principal church buildings in former southern parishes are described as follows:

• The Spanish Town Cathedral – correctly named the Church of St Jago de la Vega was “originally built around 1538 during colonisation of Jamaica by Spain.” Several re-constructions have occurred due to various calamities, including hurricanes. “The cathedral has national and regional significance, as it is not only the oldest Anglican Cathedral outside of the British Isles, but the site it occupies is perhaps the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in this hemisphere.”

• St Dorothy’s Church near Old Harbour – commonly referred to as the “Tamarind Tree Church” dates back to the time when St Dorothy was a parish before it merged with St Catherine in 1867.

• St Peter’s Anglican (Alley) Church in Vere, Clarendon, “was once the Parish Church of Vere – before that parish merged with Clarendon in 1866. St Peter’s Anglican (Alley) Church in Vere, Clarendon, is one of the first Anglican churches built on the island, dating back to 1671.” The present brick building was erected around 1715 on the old foundation.”

There is justification for preservation of three historic church-buildings described. Their great age, their “dignified presence” and unique physical characteristics, set them apart from contemporary religious sanctuaries.

There are perhaps mixed emotions regarding the importance of preserving those buildings – considering their historical links to ardent supporters (and, perhaps perpetrators) of chattel slavery.

Those aged buildings are symbols of remembrance of the past – lest we forget the journey and the hard road that was followed towards achievement of political independence.

The Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega in Spanish Town and the former Parish Church of St. Dorothy are under a “Preservation Order” by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT). The former Parish Church of Vere should be considered for a similar designation.

Despite the robust outward appearances of the three historic church-buildings which are clad in enduring red brickwork, financial challenges impact their maintenance in a manner that befits their importance. May their long-term survival in good order, be assured.

Neil Richards is an architect and town planner. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com