Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, St Ann

We are diving into a piece of history that has withstood the test of time, standing tall and proud in the heart of St Ann, Jamaica.

In 1534, the Spanish settlement of Sevilla la Nueva decides to elevate its game, literally, by moving from the coast to higher grounds. Enter Abbot Peter Martyr of Angeleria, Italy, with a fire in his soul, who kick-starts the construction of a Spanish cut stone church, named for Peter Martyr. But time, a fickle muse, had other plans. The Spanish crown shifted, the settlement moved, and Peter Martyr’s dream stood incomplete, a skeletal testament to ambition unfulfilled; a dormant beauty, patiently waiting to be rediscovered.

In 1925, hope bloomed anew as William Hoskins, owner of Sevilla Estate, steps in and donates the lands surrounding the ruins to the Roman Catholic community. The result? An adjacent church rising from the ashes, built with local cut stones and lumber, using remnants of the original Peter Martyr Church. The construction unfolded between 1939 and 1943, showcasing the timeless Spanish style of the sixteenth century, a whisper of ancestry echoing in its arches and bell tower.

TIMELESS BEAUTY

This is no mere church. It is a canvas painted with stories. Sunbeams dance on the stained glass, each fragment a kaleidoscope of faith and resilience. The pews, polished by countless prayers, bear the weight of generations seeking solace and hope. The air vibrates with the rhythm of hymns, each note a testament to the indomitable spirit of a community that refused to let history fade into silence.

Now, here is the kicker: every step, every action, every moment in life is symbolic. It is about contributing to the greater good and leaving a mark that transcends time. This church, with its roots reaching back to the 16th century, reminds us that our journey is intertwined with the past, shaping the future.

So as we venture further into 2024, let us take a cue from the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Let our steps be purposeful, our actions meaningful, and our contributions geared at making the world a better place for all. After all, in the grand tapestry of history, we are the weavers of tomorrow’s stories. Embrace the past, live in the present, and shape the future.

Reference: http://www.jnht.com/site_our_lady_of_perpetual_help.php

Contributed by Dr Lorenzo Gordon, a diabetologist, internal medicine consultant, biochemist, and a history and heritage enthusiast. Send feedback to inspiring876@gmail.com.