THE formally thundering voice is weaker, but just seven days short of his 100th birthday, Rev Claude Langton Cadogan spoke with a familiar clarity and focus, in a still well-modulated diction.

He stood at the lectern of the Coke Memorial Chapel, East Parade, downtown Kingston, last Sunday, May 3, supported by two members of the Boys’ Brigade, to express his gratitude for the tributes of love and appreciation in word and song from family, ministerial colleagues and congregants.

The occasion was a service of celebration of his life and thanksgiving for his 100th birthday, his more than 75 years of service to the church in general and Caribbean Methodism in particular and the launch of the Claude Cadogan Methodist Museum on the premises of the Coke Memorial Chapel.

Humorous anecdotes and references to his commanding presence, exacting demands for high standards in all things, humility and personal acts of kindness were the hallmarks of the main tributes from son, veterinarian Dr Paul Cadogan, the president of the Jamaica District, Rev Everald Galbraith, the Connexional President of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA), Rev Otto O Wade, and Sydney England, President of the Jamaica Boys’ Brigade.

Rev Cadogan, who officially retired in 1980 but continued to serve for several more years in pastoral visits, conducting services and in the training of lay preachers was praised for the wide range of his service including those of being preacher, teacher, administrator and architect. Praise also came for his drawings and designs, which have been used in the construction and renovation of several churches and manses throughout the region, as a gifted orator who has crafted many citations and eulogies; as a leader, mentor and chaplain to the Boys’ Brigade movement and as a director of many dramatic presentations.

The Conference crest, flag and badges currently used by the MCCA were designed by Rev Cadogan.

Born in what was then British Honduras (later Belize) on May 10, 1915, Claude Cadogan came to Jamaica in 1937 after a few years working as a teacher to pursue ministerial studies at the Caenwood Theological College in Kingston. Subsequent to completing studies he would serve for more than 75 years in various capacities in Jamaica, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Belize, and Antigua.

Today, May 10, “Uncle Claude”, as he is affectionately called, marks his 100th birthday and his wife of 70 years, Lola, will celebrate her 89th, tomorrow, May 11. In his tribute, son, Paul cited many occasions when just the stern calling out of his name was enough to pull him back from some form of mischief. He also spoke of his father’s firm but loving presence in his life and that of his siblings Claude, Alison and the late Jean and his love and devotion to his wife.

In the tribute from the Connexional president, read by Rev Dr George Mulrain, Rev Cadogan who served as first secretary and second president of the MCCA, was hailed for his work, along with Rev Dr Hugh Sherlock and others, in being catalysts to guide the people of the Caribbean to chart their own destiny.

“We recall that under your presidency the first woman, Rev Hyacinth I Boothe of blessed memory, was ordained. You were also very active in the creation of the Caribbean Conference of Churches and served as one of the first presidents on its presidium,” Rev Wade noted in his tribute.

According to Rev Wade, perhaps the signature building designed by Rev Cadogan is Wesley Methodist Church in Belize City, Belize, the construction of which, he supervised from 1947-1951.

The president of the Jamaica Methodist District, Rev Galbraith described Rev Cadogan as a “Patriarch of Caribbean Methodism” whose multi-faceted ministry has been a great blessing to many people.

In his response, Rev Cadogan referred to the challenges of the advancing years. “As of now, the body is weakened and fading,” but he was most grateful he said, to God for enabling him, “an unprofitable servant”, to serve in the various areas over several decades. He gave special thanks to members of his family, colleagues and friends for their support.

In the sermon, Rev C David Goff, superintendent minister of the Wesley Circuit in the Belize District, said Rev Cadogan’s life was a reminder that life in the service of the Master was a journey in which people are called to utilise the gifts, talents and graces to the benefit of God’s people.

Shortly after the end of the service, Rev Cadogan cut the ribbon to open the museum named in his honour at the Coke Church where he also served for several decades.