Tuesday this week, July 25, marked 187 years since the Ebenezer Methodist Church in The Valley was dedicated.
The edifice, built by enslaved Africans, is believed to be the oldest Methodist Church building still in use in the Methodist Conference area in the Leeward Islands District of the Caribbean and the Americas.
A release, signed by Mr. Sanford Richardson, Chairman of the Ebenezer Mission & Evangelism Committee, outlined a programme of activities in the run up of the anniversary date as follows:
“Saturday, July 22: A Prayer Breakfast at Marsara Resort, Katouche, under the theme “Overcoming Your Goliaths”.
“Sunday, July 23: Andrew/Fellowship Sunday with members inviting friends and colleagues to the morning worship. In the evening, a congregational ‘sing along’ of hymns in the new Methodist Hymnbook, ‘Voices of Praise’.
“Tuesday, July 25: Treasure hunt with clues and questions based on church history, doctrine and faith, followed by a concert.”
The press release noted that Ebenezer Methodist Church “has a long and rich history of Christian service within the community. Its varied ministries over the decades are not only designed to reach all manner of mankind, but to provide opportunity for all to experience the saving grace of Christ and also become involved in the ministry of the congregation.”
The release added: “The congregation is credited with having produced five ordained ministers who have served the church faithfully throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. Many of them have served in the highest office within the Leeward Islands District and beyond. The congregation is presently under the pastoral care of the Superintendent Minister, Reverend Dr. Wycherly Gumbs.”
Ebenezer Methodist Church, which underwent several structural changes over its history, was recently expanded with an upstairs section just about redoubling its congregational capacity.
