SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Burnt Savannah Baptist Church in St Elizabeth recently celebrated its 136th year of “Christian mission and fellowship” to the community and the parish.

At a special service held at the church to mark its anniversary under the theme “God People, Living in hope, Embracing Community Renewal,” scores of Baptists and members from the community were encouraged to continue the journey of church building and Christian service.

Custos of St Elizabeth Wilfred Nembhard urged the congregation to unite and continue to make sacrifices for the betterment of the church.

“Let us make our differences smaller, the things that divide us let us make them smaller … and the things that unite us, the things that brings us together, let us try and magnify these things,” the Custos said.

“This is one way of showing the island of Jamaica that St Elizabeth has done it and continues to lead the way in social harmony,” he added.

Believers should always be prepared to help others since “it is more blessed to give than to receive,” he said.

Rev Carlton Wilson of the Jamaica Baptist Union said the church’s 136th anniversary should serve as a “catalyst for many things under God”.

In her brief history of the church, Pauline Brown-Wallace said the church started under a mango tree with an “unknown missionary” and four girls as a Sunday school class in 1875. It was located a few metres from the current site on property owned by Sarah McLean.

Adults joined the class and the congregation grew. The church first moved under a large breadfruit tree and then ‘Mother Sarah’ bought a piece of land to erect a building for worship. A temporary building was erected followed by a church and elementary school.

“The building last for 18 years and the site was sold and the government built an elementary school on the same site where the Burnt Savannah Primary School is now located,” Wallace said.

President of the Black River Ministers’ Fraternal Rev Godfrey Watson said the celebration of 136 years of service to God was a significant event.

“The Burnt Savannah Baptist Church has undoubtedly positively impacted the lives of many over these 136 years edifying the saints, evangelising sinners and educating young minds,” Watson said.