MOUNT CAREY, St James — A committee has been named to oversee the rebuilding of the 200 year-old Mount Carey Baptist Church which went up in smoke last Thursday when fire, believed to be the work of arsonists, gutted the building.

According to pastor of the church Reverend Dr George Simpson, the committee will be chaired by Deacon Charles Hall, moderator for the Mount Carey Baptist circuit of churches.

Simpson told the Observer West yesterday that the committee, which includes members of the church’s finance committee, is currently finalising plans for the opening of an account to which donations can be made towards the rebuilding effort.

Simpson said that he was encouraged by the level of support the church had been receiving since the building was razed.

“We are very encouraged by the interest of the people since the fire. God’s work cannot fail despite the attack by the enemy,” he said, adding that church members were “very disturbed” by the incident.

Nearly two years ago, Reverend Simpson was shot and injured by thugs who pounced upon him while he was at the church manse where he was living.

The clergyman was not present last week when the fire occurred, having left the island in November for further medical treatment in the USA.

He returned last Friday to provide support for church members in the wake of the fire but is scheduled to leave on the weekend to continue his medical treatment.