Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 01, 2014 News
One of the Berbice landmarks, the All Saints’ Anglican Church in New Amsterdam, is celebrating its 175th Anniversary this week. This Anglican Church has seen countless priests serving, among them Fathers Deryck Goodrich, A. L. Luker, Sydney Thomas, George Spencer, Randolph Reynolds and currently, Rory Honeyghan.
Anglicanism began in British Guiana many years before the consecration of All Saints. In the early days, Anglican members (known as the Church of England and occasionally as Episcopalians) used an old Lutheran Chapel to worship. But the need for an established building had arisen over time, and this had to be dealt with by King George IV himself.
Land was identified and it was the many years leading up to 1839 that the construction and physical development of the parish church took formation. Money came in quickly to work on the new church which started on a site purchased from Charles Hollinsgworth in 1836 at Lots 8 and 10 Main and Trinity Streets, New Amsterdam.
The sum paid was £4,285. It should be noted that in its early days, the pews of All Saints were rented to the highest bidders. Some were rented for $5,046 Guilders, which was “Berbice currency” back then.
According to the history books of the church, on June 30, 1839 at 11 o’ clock, the Bishop, Archdeacon of British Guiana, the Venerable William Piercy Austin was met at the church door by the Rector, Vestry and Building Committee, and they proceeded to the altar where the usual formalities of presenting of the petition having been gone through, the Bishop commenced the Consecration Service.
The Burial Ground around the church was also later consecrated. One day after the consecration of All Saints, the British Guiana Police Force was formed.
In the same year, a new gallery for the church was proposed and erected. In 1841, the clock was installed in the tower at a cost of €241. The clock, with its four faces, soon became a familiar landmark, as it did the tall spire with its weather vane which welcomed travelers as they crossed the Berbice River.
In 1853, a school for the All Saints church was built and Mr. W. Brittain was appointed Headmaster.
The All Saints’ Anglican Church has been the worshiping site for hundreds of Anglicans in Berbice in its 175 years of existence. The original outlook of the church has been preserved much by its members over the years, although it was repainted and portions rehabilitated.
Its famous stained- glass windows of St. George is still in existence today as well as its signature Round stone tomb of Christ with a life- sized statue of Jesus lying in the tomb.
Prominent families like the Ganpatsinghs, Ho Youngs, Allens, Rambarrans, Baichoos, Archers, Henrys, Odeens, Chungs, Steeles, Kings, Kendells, Dundases and Brijmohans have made significant contributions to the development of the parish over the years. Attempts to have the old structure restored to its former glory are ongoing, but financial contributions to preserve its form are much needed.
The church will be planning other celebratory activities in the coming weeks. (Leon Suseran)
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
Apr 23, 2024
Kaieteur Sports – Over the weekend, the prestigious Lusignan Golf Club played host to the highly anticipated AMCHAM Golf Tournament, drawing golf enthusiasts and professionals alike from across...Kaieteur News – Just recently, the PPC determined that it does not have the authority to vitiate a contract which was... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]