The St Augustine’s Anglican Church, where its Twenty-fifth Anniversary, is being celebrated, has been described as a beacon of hope for the people of East End and Anguilla on a whole.
The description came from Anguillian Priest, Rev Canon Franklin Reid, who is serving in Antigua. He was at the time delivering the sermon on the occasion of a Concelebrated Eucharist marking the Anniversary of the dedication of the Church on Sunday, January 12.
Rev Reid stressed the importance of taking care of the Church building and honouring the work of the builders to make life and worship easier for the next generation. He hoped that St Augustine’s will continue to be a Church that opens its doors to the needs of the community; a Church where young people will find a home with all that is coming at them; and a place where they can find excellence, hope and peace that can help them to make smart choices. He added: “If ever we need a Church like this in Anguilla, it is today.”
Chief Minister, Hubert Hughes, speaking on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla, saw St Augustine’s Church “as a significant and strong force for the building of a stable community.” He declared that “without the Church the community does not exist”. He offered his best wishes to the Anglican Parish community which comprises St Mary’s The Valley, St Andrew’s Island Harbour and St Augustine’s East End.
Pastor Gareth Hodge, who spoke on behalf of the Evangelical Association, recalled that St Augustine’s had long been a Church attended by his parents and siblings. He also recalled the rebuilding work carried out twenty-five years ago and voiced his appreciation for the high quality of the construction, particularly that of its attractive wooden roof.
The Chief Celebrant at the Concelebrated Eucharist was the Rt Rev L Errol Brooks. The Bishop has written some very useful historical notes about St Augustine’s Church on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary. Those notes are published elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian.
St Augustine’s Church was rebuilt between 1984 and 1988 and was dedicated on January 8, 1989. From then, to now, the members of the Clergy have been listed as follows: Leroy Errol Brooks, Richard D Canning, Thomas R Lake, Richard W Fahie, Vanier M Hodge, Sean Major Campbell and Samuel T Knight.
