by Francis Quamina Farrier

THERE are some cultures in which the work and achievements of the ancestors are always uplifted. This is so, to some degree, here in Guyana. I mention this because over the past weekend, there were two instances when the work of the ancestors of two of the oldest Christian Churches in this country, were celebrated.

The Smith AME Church at Lots 3 and 4 Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, Region Three, celebrated its 145th anniversary with events which included a Tea Party and Hat Show, which was organised by the Young People’s and Children’s Departments of the church. The Smith’s AME at Vergenoegen, is the mother church of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Guyana, and has a long history of Christian-African traditions in Guyana.

The other Christian Church which observed a special anniversary last weekend, was the Christian Mission, located on Camp Street, between Regent and Charlotte Streets in Georgetown. The congregation held the 125th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service at the Theatre Guild Playhouse last Sunday. The original building where services were held was located at the north-eastern corner of Camp and Charlotte Streets. An iconic three story wooden structure, it was demolished two years ago. The plot where it stood for over a century remains empty at this time. A new modern concrete building is planned to be constructed there.

However, long before its demolition, a small church was constructed north of it, almost a hundred years ago, and serves well as the place of worship by the members of the Christian Mission body. Because of its small size, the Anniversary Thanksgiving Service was held at the Theatre Guild Playhouse in Kingston, Georgetown, which was packed to capacity.

The two anniversaries give testimony to the contributions of Christians of African Heritage, who have kept the faith and who have sojourned on through the good times and the bad times, for well over a century. The ancestors have, since the nineteenth century, done their work for those now in the vineyard, and it is those- here and now- who reap the fruits of their labours.

What was of special note at both celebrations, was the age range of those in attendance; from babies, to youths, the matured and the elders, all praising God for the legacy of the ancestors, and what they hope their descendants will celebrate a century from now, when they too, become ancestors.