AS part of its 195th anniversary celebrations, St. Andrew’s Kirk will today host a Prayer Breakfast at the Annexe of the Police Officers’ Mess at Eve Leary, Kingston, beginning at 9:00 hrs.

Under the theme “Empowered by His Sustaining Grace,” the programme will open with Welcome Remarks by St. Andrew’s Kirk Chairperson, Ms. Deslyn Griffith. The Moderator will be The Rev. Maureen Massiah.
Following a rich musical interlude by the St. Andrew’s Kirk’s Steel Orchestra, and Gospel Selections by the Bethel Gospel Hall Acapella Quartet, the Opening Prayer and Blessing of the Food will be done by Rev. Massiah.
Breakfast will be served at 9:35 hrs, and the programme will be appropriately interspersed with gospel songs done by the Bethel Gospel Hall Accapella Group, an inspirational dance by members of the National School of Dance, and music by the St. Andrew’s Steel Orchestra.
Dr. Winston Mc Gowan, Elder of the Full Gospel Assembly, will give a historical perspective of the church and its contribution to the citizens of Guyana during its 195 years of existence; and Guest Speaker, Rev. Dr. Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, will deliver the feature address.
The two items will be interspersed with an inspirational dance by the National School of Dance.
Intercessory Prayers will be offered by pastors and elders, including Elder George Rutherford, immediate past clerk of the Presbyterian Church of Guyana; Rev. Keith Haley, Chairman of the Congregational Union of Guyana; Elder Loris Heywood of the Christian Brethren Mission, and Ms. Janice Seabra of the St. Andrew’s Kirk.
Deacons Myrna Pitt and Simone Thompson of St. Andrew’s Kirk will deliver the Vote of Thanks and make a presentation to the Guest Speaker, respectively.
Preceding the Benediction will be the lusty singing of the closing hymn: “Now Thank We all Our God”, accompanied by the St. Andrew’s Kirk’s Steel Orchestra, bringing an end to the approximate two-and-a-half-hour programme.
A Presbyterian Church which has its roots in the Dutch Reformist Movement, St. Andrew’s Kirk is credited with being possibly the oldest Christian Church that has practised continuous worship in Guyana, according to Elder Meighan Duke, Co-ordinator of the season of anniversary celebrations.
Elder Duke recalls that the church had its roots in the Dutch Reformist Movement. The first sill was laid on August 12, 1811. The framework of the structure, she told the media at a press conference to launch the celebrations on August 7, was purchased by a group of Scotsmen in 1813; and construction, which began in 1816, was completed in 1818.  That same year, the doors of St. Andrew’s Kirk were thrown open for public worship.
St. Andrew’s Kirk enjoys the distinction of having been accorded the status of a ‘Heritage Site’ by the Heritage Foundation, and is listed as one of Guyana’s historic buildings.
On August 7, the church hosted a photographic display of silver Communion ware dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as the exhibition of original church records dating back to the time of slavery.