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EBENEZER Congregational Church, at Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, will celebrate its 170th anniversary on September 8.
In commemoration of this signature event, a 10-day programme of activities will be hosted, beginning with a candlelight vigil and prayer service tomorrow evening.
The vigil begins at 18:00 hrs, moving from Blankenburg, where the former Ebenezer Congregational was established on September 8, 1843 and culminating at its present location, Church Street, Den Amstel.
Sharing details of the programme with the Guyana Chronicle, the Church Head, Reverend Valeska Austin said, following the vigil, there will be a spirited opening service at Den Amstel, beginning at 19:00 hrs and it is expected that hundreds, from Ebenezer as well as visiting friends and supporters from churches within and without the neighbourhood, will attend.
Austin said President Donald Ramotar has also been invited to that evening service.
On Thursday, September 5, a ‘Care for the Elderly’ exercise will be undertaken by way of home visits and distribution of meals for senior citizens and shut-ins at Den Amstel.
Friday, September 6, executive members of the Guyana Congregational Union will meet and, on Saturday, a retreat for officers of the West Demerara Group of Churches would be held at the Den Amstel Church.
The main anniversary church service for the celebration takes place on Sunday, September 8, at Ebenezer Congregational, where the feature address will be delivered by Rev. John Macaulay, visiting from London, England, specially for the occasion.
On Monday, September 9, an evening of talent and prize-giving will take place at the church and, Tuesday September 10, it will host a symposium on ‘Congregationalism and Education in Guyana’.
Visiting delegation
Other celebratory activities during the period include tours around Den Amstel and neighbouring villages by the visiting delegation from the United Kingdom.
Ebenezer Congregational Church was organised at Blankenburg more than 100 years after being commissioned and the ministers had a vision to remove and take it closer to Den Amstel, where the cornerstone was laid on April 25, 1955, by then Governor of British Guiana, Sir Alfred Savage.
The first minister assigned there was Rev. Richard Elliot, who was succeeded by 13 others, before Austin assumed the pulpit in 2004 and later became the first woman priest to be inducted and ordained in the West Coast Demerara Group of Congregational Churches.
In commemoration of this signature event, a 10-day programme of activities will be hosted, beginning with a candlelight vigil and prayer service tomorrow evening.
The vigil begins at 18:00 hrs, moving from Blankenburg, where the former Ebenezer Congregational was established on September 8, 1843 and culminating at its present location, Church Street, Den Amstel.
Sharing details of the programme with the Guyana Chronicle, the Church Head, Reverend Valeska Austin said, following the vigil, there will be a spirited opening service at Den Amstel, beginning at 19:00 hrs and it is expected that hundreds, from Ebenezer as well as visiting friends and supporters from churches within and without the neighbourhood, will attend.
Austin said President Donald Ramotar has also been invited to that evening service.
On Thursday, September 5, a ‘Care for the Elderly’ exercise will be undertaken by way of home visits and distribution of meals for senior citizens and shut-ins at Den Amstel.
Friday, September 6, executive members of the Guyana Congregational Union will meet and, on Saturday, a retreat for officers of the West Demerara Group of Churches would be held at the Den Amstel Church.
The main anniversary church service for the celebration takes place on Sunday, September 8, at Ebenezer Congregational, where the feature address will be delivered by Rev. John Macaulay, visiting from London, England, specially for the occasion.
On Monday, September 9, an evening of talent and prize-giving will take place at the church and, Tuesday September 10, it will host a symposium on ‘Congregationalism and Education in Guyana’.
Visiting delegation
Other celebratory activities during the period include tours around Den Amstel and neighbouring villages by the visiting delegation from the United Kingdom.
Ebenezer Congregational Church was organised at Blankenburg more than 100 years after being commissioned and the ministers had a vision to remove and take it closer to Den Amstel, where the cornerstone was laid on April 25, 1955, by then Governor of British Guiana, Sir Alfred Savage.
The first minister assigned there was Rev. Richard Elliot, who was succeeded by 13 others, before Austin assumed the pulpit in 2004 and later became the first woman priest to be inducted and ordained in the West Coast Demerara Group of Congregational Churches.
