LUCEA, Hanover — THE Lucea United Church in Hanover, the second oldest Presbyterian church in the island, recently launched a number of activities to mark its 185 years of existence in the country.

Among the activities was the launch of the church’s scholarship fund, which was boosted by a personal contribution of US$1,000 from Member of Parliament for Western Hanover Ian Hayles.

According to Rev Glenroy Clarke, the pastor of the church, the scholarship fund is aimed at assisting students with paying their school fees.

He noted the church is already assisting a medical student who is currently studying in China, adding that the congregation hopes to raise millions of dollars to assist others who are attending universities.

“We thought that we would formalise a scholarship fund, because we want to do that type of ministry,” said Clarke. “We want to raise at least a million dollar to assist, and for the anniversary year raise monies towards that scholarship and endowment fund… to assist our needy students for university education purposes only.”

He said that the church will be seeking to generate money for the fund mainly through the fund-raising events, including an anniversary banquet scheduled for later this year.

Other planned celebratory activities will include a gospel concert in the Lucea bus park, a family fun day, and a money management seminar.

The Lucea United Church was established in 1830 by Rev James Watson, a missionary who arrived in the Hanover capital three years prior.

According to Rev Clarke, who has been the minister at Lucea United Church for the past seven years, the church caters to meeting the needs of people.

“We are a needs-meeting church,” he said.

“Our philosophy is that every person who comes here must feel that their spiritual, social and family needs are met, and we push persons in a way to ensure financial stability and security through regular seminars on how to save and invest, so as to improve their standards of living.”

The church, in continuing its outreach to the public, recently purchased lands to construct a $40-million resource and counselling centre.

When up and running, Rev Clarke said, the facility will offer professional counselling and psychotherapy to Hanover residents.

Ground is expected to be broken for the centre, which will also have a mentorship programme for boys, later this year.