Reverend John Smith

Heritage sites of Guyana…
THE National Trust of Guyana is a government enterprise whose mandate propels its commitment to the preservation and conservation of historic buildings and sites in Guyana. Therefore we aim to enlighten the public about various aspects, symbols, landmarks and structures of our rich and diverse heritage. As such, it is fitting, with the passing of another birth anniversary of one of the first missionaries to Guyana, to give recognition to his legacy and achievements. The subject of this article is therefore Reverend John Smith, born June 27, 1790, and died February 6, 1824.

Reverend Smith graced the shores of Guyana, then British Guiana, to fulfill his desire and interest in foreign missions.

Born in Northamptonshire, England, Smith received his early education at the Sunday School for the Independent Chapel where he remained under the tutelage of ministers who had earned a formal education.

Married to Ms. Jane Godden, who shared his interest in foreign missions, he completed his biscuit baking apprenticeship, and applied to become, and was subsequently ordained, a missionary at the Tonbridge Chapel on December 12, 1816, by the London Missionary Society.

The aim of the London Missionary Society, established as a result of the Abolition Movement in England, was to teach Christianity with particular emphasis on the Africans from Sierra Leone, West Africa. Later, the initiative extended to include British colonies in the Caribbean from 1807.

As such, Smith’s appointment to the colony of British Guiana was no surprise. This would be his first and only assignment, since his tenure here was followed by his death in 1824.

Arriving in British Guiana in February 1817, Reverend Smith and his wife were designated to Plantation Le Ressouvenir. There, he replaced Reverend John Wray at the Bethel Chapel, which was constructed by Hermanus Post in the interest of the religious instruction of the slaves.

Attracting a wide cross-section of the slave population, his congregation increased rapidly, since Smith’s teachings resonated well with the plight of the slaves, with whom he would eventually develop a close bond and friendship.

This informality and bond between the slaves and Reverend Smith proved to be his ultimate downfall, as it was alleged that he was involved in the organization of the Demerara Rebellion in 1823.

He was further charged with having incited the rebellion and promoting discontent among the slaves, and failing to notify the authorities of the slaves’ intention to rebel.

He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to death. He, however, died of natural causes wile awaiting a Royal reprieve.  He was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in the cemetery where the St. Philip’s Church now stands.

His legacy in death gave great impetus to the abolition movement, which the Reverend himself promoted by writing to the London Missionary Society denouncing the state of the slaves in the colony.

Although Smith is simply a public figure, he is a figure who deserves to be recognized, as he has contributed greatly to the development and spiritual education of the slaves. Among the very first to be allowed to minister to the slaves, Smith taught them reading and writing among other skills.

Twenty years hence, on November 24, 1843, the foundation stone was laid for the construction of the Smith’s Memorial Congregational Church in recognition of his contributions to the society.

While neither this building nor the legacy of Reverend Smith are national monuments, like many others, it is a stark reminder of an aspect our nation’s history, and as such it is imperative that we ensure its continuity.

To this end, the National Trust of Guyana, which undertakes to promote and safeguard the nation’s heritage, invites the members of the community to take an active role in ensuring the long-term survival of Guyana’s patrimony by exercising care and respect at all times when visiting monuments and heritage sites.

(Bhavana Gossai is a Research & Documentation Officer with the National Trust of Guyana)

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