During the rededication of the Ebenezer Methodist Chapel on 25 July 2019, it was announced that a member of the congregation had made two large donations, totalling US$100,000, towards the restoration project and the purchase of a new organ. On Sunday, 11 August 2019, during the dedication of the newly commissioned Allen Organ, Mr David Lloyd, of Lloyd’s Aviation, was revealed as that anonymous Donor, to the delight of the congregation.
In presenting the keys for the new organ to the Rev Dr Wycherley Gumbs, the Superintendent Minister and Pastor of the Ebenezer Congregation, Mr Lloyd explained that he was reluctant to be part of the dedication service, but was persuaded to do so by his senior cousin, the Rev Joseph Lloyd. He noted that he would have achieved nothing without the grace and mercy of God, so giving to the Church was his small way of saying thanks.
After the dedication of the organ, Rev Gumbs thanked Mr Lloyd for his generosity, pointing out that the new organ will greatly enhance the quality of worship at the newly renovated Chapel. He then passed the keys on to the Church Organist, Sister Joan Lloyd, who played the first notes on the organ, and then invited Mr Devaunie Richardson, Guest Organist for the day, to play for the remainder of the service.
Also present at the special service was Mr Lloyd’s son, Darlon, and his uncle, Mr John Brookes, who himself was a driving force in the collection of donations towards the restoration of the historic Chapel.
The organ is an Allen GeniSys model G210 with a 32 note pedalboard. It includes three internal and two external 15″ speakers and is equipped with complete record/playback capability built into the console with Allen’s full library of prerecorded hymns. The organ was commissioned over the weekend by Mr. Ted Klemm, Regional Service Coordinator for Allen Organs.
The Pastor and members of the Ebenezer Methodist congregation join in offering their appreciation to Mr Lloyd and all the other donors who have contributed to the restoration of the Chapel. The Ebenezer Chapel was originally constructed in 1830 by the hands of the enslaved. It is believed to be the oldest Methodist Chapel in the Caribbean, and the Americas, still in use in its original form.
– Contributed
