JAMAICA Post on Sunday marked 355 years of service to Jamaica with a World Post Month thanksgiving service at East Queen Street Baptist Church in Kingston.

Ambassador Audrey Marks, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister responsible for efficiency, innovation and digital transformation, who has ministerial responsibility for the postal service, in greetings — delivered on her behalf by Donovan Williams, minister of state in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security — said that over the postal service’s 355-year history, Jamaica has undergone profound social, economic, and technological change.

“The manner in which messages and goods are transported has evolved from foot, horseback, and sail to motor vehicles, aircraft, and digital technology. Yet at the heart of postal service remains an enduring responsibility: to ensure that what has been entrusted for delivery reaches its intended destination safely, reliably, and faithfully,” said Marks.

She noted that every letter, parcel, document, or other item entrusted to the postal service may represent news awaited by a family, a business order, an important personal transaction or communication from a public institution.

She also acknowledged the generations of postmasters and postmistresses, postal couriers, retail customer service officers, sorters, administrative and technical personnel, managers, and other employees who have carried forward Jamaica Post’s tradition of service.

Marks said the future of the postal sector will undoubtedly be shaped by technology, e-commerce, digital services, logistics, and changing customer expectations, presenting both challenges and opportunities for Jamaica Post.

“Our postal network, comprising 238 post office locations across Jamaica, represents a significant national asset. It provides a physical presence in communities across the island and creates opportunities to bring services closer to the people who need them,” she said.

“As minister with responsibility for digital transformation, I am keenly aware that technology must never become an end in itself. Its real value lies in its capacity to improve people’s lives, widen access to services, increase efficiency and ensure that no community is left behind.

The management and staff of Post and Telecommunications Department and the Postal Corporation of Jamaica (Jamaica Post) take time for a picture following a thanksgiving service on Sunday.

“In this regard, the post office can continue to serve as an important bridge between traditional public service and the opportunities presented by an increasingly digital society. Our responsibility, therefore, is not merely to preserve a proud institution because of its history. We must prepare it for its future,” said Marks.

In his remarks Postmaster General/CEO Lincoln Allen, reflected on the significance of the occasion.

“It is truly a privilege to join you today as we give thanks to the Almighty God and celebrate two important milestones: World Post Day 2026 and the 355th anniversary of Jamaica Post. World Post Day is observed annually on October 9 and commemorates the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874, while reminding us of the enduring importance of postal services in connecting people, businesses, and communities across borders,” said Allen.

“For Jamaica Post, this year’s observance carries particular significance. Our postal service dates back to 1671, making Jamaica home to one of the oldest established postal services in the world. For 355 years, Jamaica Post has served our people through periods of tremendous national, social, economic, and technological change. Generations have depended on the post.

“We have carried letters that brought news from loved ones, both good and bad. We have delivered important documents and parcels. We have connected rural communities with our towns and cities. We have supported commerce, facilitated communication, and provided access to services in communities across Jamaica. Although the way people communicate has changed dramatically over the centuries, the importance of connection has not changed,” added Allen.

He said Jamaica Post remains essential to connecting people, communities, and opportunities.

“We continue to adapt to local and global changes and evolving customer expectations. Alongside traditional letter mail, parcels, registered and express mail, and philatelic services, we now offer Zip Mail, Click and Ship, Fast Track and Bill Payment Solutions. We have also made our services more accessible. With post offices in communities nationwide and one of the broadest geographic footprints of any government entity serving the public directly, Jamaica Post is uniquely placed to bring services closer to the people.”

Jamaica Post will observe World Post Day on October 9, commemorating the establishment of what became the Universal Postal Union and recognising the global postal network that continues to connect countries, communities, businesses, and people across the world. This year’s theme is ‘One Postal Network, Infinite Possibilities’.
According to Allen, Jamaica Post continues to invest in digitisation, tracking systems, infrastructure, and staff training as it works to become more efficient, secure, and technologically enabled.

As part of World Post Month, Jamaica Post will host an exhibition at the Greater Portmore Post Office on October 9, followed by an exhibition at the Central Sorting Office on October 15.

The celebrations for the month will culminate on October 30 with the reopening of the Mountainside Post Office in St Elizabeth, and the launch of a commemorative stamp at that location.

Additional activities will continue throughout the anniversary year, including the publication of a special newspaper supplement highlighting Jamaica Post’s history, achievements, and continued transformation.