BEFORE politics divided the communities of West Kingston in the 1970s, many of its residents sat in the same classrooms or pews at All Saint’s school and church.

Michael Henry, known internationally as Nyahbinghi drummer Ras Michael, was a regular member of the flock at All Saint’s Church during the 1940s and 1950s.

Though he is a committed Rastafarian and member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Ras Michael has never forgotten the Anglican impact on his life.

“All Saint’s mean a lot to me. That’s my school an’ as a likkle boy, my mother send me to the church, so it did a lot for me,” he told the Sunday Observer.

Ras Michael is among the artistes who will perform on the Love One Another show, scheduled for St Andrew Parish Church (Ellesmere Road) on March 28.

Other All Saints alumni including singer Jimmy Tucker are on the third staging of the event, which is a fundraiser for programmes run by the church.

Carlene Davis, Ras Nkrumah Henry (Ras Michael’s son) and Stevie G and Ossie D complete the cast of acts.

Reverend Abner Powell, rector at the 121-year-old church since 1977, said most of the funds will go to reviving its educational programmes which have been stalled due to lack of sponsorship.

“We had to stop our computer classes because we couldn’t pay the teachers and the Internet (bills). Hopefully, we can raise enough to start again in September,” he said.

Some of Jamaica’s celebrated entertainers and sportsmen are All Saint’s ‘graduates’. They include Bunny Wailer, Gregory Isaacs, Marcia Barrett (of Boney M), West Indies cricketer Richard Austin and Boys’ Town footballer Devon Lewis.

Their achievements were at times overshadowed by political violence, especially in the 1970s, when West Kingston was arguably the most turbulent region in Jamaica.

In the 1960s, many West Kingston youth including Michael Henry were drawn to the Afro-centric teachings of Rastafari. Some became critical of the Church’s Euro-styled doctrine.

Ras Michael, who formed the Sons of Negus Nyahbinghi group in the late 1960s, sees no significant difference between Rasta and Christianity.

“His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie was part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and a devout Christian. So, if me as a Rasta love His Majesty and follow his path, mi haffi deal wid Christ the way he has,” he reasoned.

Love One Another is a joint production between All Saint’s Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.