CARIBARENA Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua- Established in 1756 with its humble beginnings under a Sandbox tree west of the present Manse, The Spring Gardens Moravian Church stands in majesty in the heart of St. John’s City on St. John’s Street, and is a member of the Antigua

Moravian Conference in the Eastern West Indies Province. The Church’s property extends across St. Georges Street to the Dickenson Bay Street, and houses the  Tim O’Reilly  Auditorium, the Church office as well as the Day Care and Pre-School Center.

According to the Churches website, the Moravian work as Spring Gardens was started by Samuel Isles on April 1st, 1756. Armed with the enactment of Parliament which recognized the Moravian Church and encouraged support of its mission activity, Isles was granted the necessary permission by the governor and began work among the slaves on the estate of Gambles. Joined by Peter Brown in 1769, these men worked in the midst of intolerable conditions, opposed by many of the planters, maintaining themselves as there was little in the way of financial support from abroad. Though the early years must have seemed singularly fruitful, yet by 1771 when Brown was forced to retire because of ill health and returned to Bethlehem, Pa., some 7000 Christian slaves stood out as living witnesses to their work.

By 1760 land had been purchased in St. John's as a base for missionary operations which led to the establishment of congregations in all parts of the island.
According to several authorities the work done in the West Indies helped create the climate that along with powerful political and economic forces paved the way for emancipation. It is recorded that when many argued against freeing the slave for fear of their rising up and turning against the white men, Wilberforce answered them to the effect that Moravians had so taught them to respect law and order that they were indeed prepared to receive the great gift of liberty.

Oprah Picks Antigua Antigua is Oprah Winfrey's pick for the number one playground for billionaires. The renowned media mogul has a home on the island, and according to th... read more

On 4th and 5th September, 1995, Hurricane Luis devastated both the Spring Gardens Manse and Church Building. The building was erected in 1964 to replace the wooden building which was there before.

On the first Sunday of each month, Sunday morning worship takes place at 6:30 am.  Sunday school is held at 8:00 am every Sunday morning, Morning worship at (:00am, and on Wednesdays at 6:30 am Morning Devotion and Bible Study at 5:30 pm.

www.sgmoravian.org

 

< Prev		Next >