|
|
Our beginnings...Before the end of the nineteenth century, an indigenous holiness church known as the Christian Catholic Church was established in Jamaica. Through its ministry, a young Jamaican, Miss Ella Ruddock was converted.
She later traveled to the United States of America and studied at Taylor University in Indiana. While there, she met with and was inspired by the work of an organization known as the Missionary Bands of the World - a former auxiliary of the Free Methodist Church. Overwhelmed by a burden for the people in her homeland, she solicited the Band's leaders to extend their missionary work to Jamaica. Her expectation went unfulfilled, as missionaries were not available. Miss Ruddock returned to Jamaica in 1912 and began a ministry in Friendship, Westmoreland under the auspices of the Missionary Bands. She was joined in 1915 by an American, Miss Susie Schlatter. They pioneered a work, which made Jamaica a prominent mission field of the Missionary Bands of the World. In 1949, the work was legally incorporated. By then, several missionaries had come to Jamaica to work; many Jamaicans were converted. The work continued to grow and by 1954, there were sixteen (16) organized and three (3) unorganized churches. A major milestone was reached in 1958, when the Missionary Bands of the World merged its churches in Indiana, its mission fields in Central India and Jamaica with the Wesleyan Church of America. This marked the inception of the American extraction of the Wesleyan Movement in Jamaica. |
A major milestone was reached in 1958, when the Missionary Bands of the World merged its churches in Indiana, its mission fields in Central India and Jamaica with the Wesleyan Church of America. This marked the inception of the American extraction of the Wesleyan Movement in Jamaica.
His labours began in a small mission in Kingston and was augmented by a number of American missionaries who arrive in 1924 (and later years) soon after the church (internationally) adopted its new name - the Pilgrim Holiness Church. Among the missionaries who faithfully served the Church, was the Rev. and Mrs. Paul D. Ford (1924-1934) and the Rev. and Mrs. Ray Hankins, whose tenure was less than a year (1928) on account of Mrs. Hankin's ill health. Both couples were instrumental in the establishment of the church and mission home on Mannings Hill Road - the present headquarters of the Eastern District of the Wesleyan Holiness Church.
|
At the time of the merger, there were thirty-six pastors and workers; ten of whom were ordained. There were twenty-four (24) churches with a total membership of 623. In addition, there were sixty-six (66) Sunday schools with an average attendance of 2,000. By 1968, these figures were surpassed considerably. Through the decades of the fifties and sixties, the Church consolidated its efforts. By 1962, it was able to send missionaries (The Hewling family) abroad (Honduras).
The Pilgrim Holiness Church, Jamaica The work of the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Jamaica was pioneered by its first missionary to the island, the Rev. Mr. J. R. Figueroa, an American trained Cuban who arrived in the island in December 1919. The church at the time bore the name The International Holiness Church. |
https://gleaner.newspaperarchive.com/ Merging of the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Jamaica and the Missionary Bonds, Kingston Gleaner (Newspaper) January 28, 1969, Kingston.
|
Jamaica District
In 1941, the seat of administration of the Jamaican District, which comprised Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the Isle of Pines, was tranferred from Grand Cayman to Jamaica. A year later, a Bible Training School which was soon to provide centralized facilities for Theological Training in the Caribbean was established on the property of the Constant Spring Wesleyan Holiness Church, 16-18 Mannings Hill Road, Kingston, under the direction of the Rev. E. E. Philippe. The school was subsequently relocated in Barbados, a more congenial location in terms of accessibility, since the majority of the churches of the Caribbean field were located in the Eastern Caribbean.
In Montego Bay and its environs, the work of the church pursued with much vigor under the direction of the Rev. A. M. Reynolds. However, the church continued under the superintendence of American missionaries until 1968. By then, the Pilgrim Holiness Church had taken a recognized place among the denominations in Jamaica.
Birth of the Wesleyan Holiness Church
|
A new era began in 1968 with uniting of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of American and the Pilgrim Holiness Church. The new organization became known as the Wesleyan Church (in North America) and The Wesleyan Holiness Church (in the Caribbean).
The Rev. Amos King was appointed to the post of National Superintendent of the Church of Jamaica, thus becoming the first Jamaican national to be elevated to the office of Superintendent. His tenure of that office ended in 1972. Jamaica District Restructured
Consequent on deliberations and decisions taken at a General Conference in 1973, the Jamaican territory was formed into two autonomous districts - Eastern District and Western District. Each district to be administered by a District Superintendent and a Board of Administration. The Rev. Gersham Gray appointed as District Superintendent for the Eastern Jamaica District, while the Rev. Noel O. Williams for the Western Jamaica District. |
Rev. Amos King, National Superintendent
The Wesleyan Holiness Church of Jamaica (1968-1972) |
In the years that followed, significant changes were brought about. The achievements of the districts were attestation of the dynamic potential and cohesive spirit to be found among the people. The construction of a new church building at the headquarters of the Eastern District serves as one example of their resoluteness and industry in service to God. Most praiseworthy of all, is the church's unflinching stand in its commitment to the spreading of the gospel of Christ to be the Glory of God.
In 1980, the Eastern and Western Districts in their respective conferences took the decision to constitute a third district - the Northern District, which would encompass the areas of St. James, Trelawny and St. Ann. The Rev. A. M. Reynolds was appointed Superintendent of this new district. He previously served as assistant superintendent of the Eastern District (1977-1978).
First Appointed Superintendents
- 1968: Rev Amos King, National Superintendent - The Wesleyan Holiness Church of Jamaica
- 1973: Rev. Gersham Gray - Eastern Jamaica District Superintendent
- 1973: Rev. Noel O. Williams - Western Jamaica District Superintendent
- 1980: Rev. A. M. Reynolds - Northern Jamaica District Superintendent
Where we are now...
The Wesleyan Holiness Church, the Caribbean General Conference and the Wesleyan Church Worldwide
The three (3) districts, comprising fifty-three (53) churches, are members of the Caribbean General Conference of the Wesleyan Holiness Church and the Wesleyan Church Worldwide.
- Northern District: 10 churches across St. Ann, Trelawny and St. James.
- Eastern District: 18 churches across Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine, St. Thomas and Portland
- Western District: 37 churches across Clarendon, Manchester, Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth and Hanover.
The Wesleyan Holiness Church - Eastern Jamaica District, is an Evangelical, Protestant denomination. We are part of the Jamaica Evangelical Association. Our historic origin is based on scriptural truth and holiness that were revived through the Wesleyan Movement, led by John Wesley in the eighteenth century that continues through to today. We evangelize scriptural truth concerning the doctrine and experiences of holiness, which declares that the atonement in Christ provides not only for the regeneration of sinners, but for the entire sanctification of believers. We offer the good news that faith in Jesus Christ makes possible a wonderful personal relationship with God, a holy life empowered by His Holy Spirit for witness and service, and assurance of eternal life in heaven.
Our ministries emphasize practical Bible teaching, uplifting worship and special programs to meet a variety of life's needs.
Our ministries emphasize practical Bible teaching, uplifting worship and special programs to meet a variety of life's needs.
| Wesleyan doctrine.pdf |
