MISSION STATEMENT

LOGO

The logo of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands evolved out of three logos of the antecedent denominations. The elements of the logo represent the symbols that are of significance to the doctrine and beliefs of the respective antecedent denominations.

• The Cross - that which unites the antecedent denominations, Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church
• The Open Bible - represents the centrality of the Word of the God. This was a significant feature in the logo of the former Congregational church.
• The Chalice - represents Christ's death and resurrection; the symbol used by the former Disciples of Christ.
• The Burning Bush - 'burnt but not consumed' the perpetual flame of the gospel. A symbol of Presbyterianism.
• The Sea - symbolic of a church in two nations, the witness across the Caribbean sea as well as a witness not confined to the boundaries of the shores of the Caribbean.

HOW TO JOIN US

If you are a Christian you are members of us (the body of Christ). However to join the membership of the Savannah United Church may do so by:

1. Profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and Baptism.
2. Transfer of membership from other Churches.
3. Re-affirmation of Faith.

HISTORY

In 1830 the Presbyterian Church of Jamaica decided to send Missionaries to preach the Gospel in Africa; they set out for Calabar in Nigeria in 1845 but did not get beyond the Cayman Islands as their ship was wrecked on the reef there. Rev. Hope Waddell was one of the ministers on board the ill-fated ship and when he discovered that there was no organized church on the islands he appealed to the Presbyterian authorities in Jamaica for ministerial help. It took some time for any action to be taken.

In 1846, the Synod meeting at Goshen in St. Mary decided that someone should go. The Rev. James Elmslie heard of the plight of the Caymanians and at the age of 50 he was sent to the Cayman Islands to establish the Presbyterian Church there. Rev. Elmslie had been at Green Island Church in Jamaica and when no other volunteer was found to set up the Cayman Church he said, "If no one will go, I will go".

Rev. Elmslie traveled all over the island of Grand Cayman on horseback, by boat and on foot planting churches, among which was the Church in Savannah. The Sanctuary was originally built on the land that was donated by Mr. Edward Watler in 1876. It was built by Mr. Edward Chisholm.

This was taken down in 1925 and another built in the same year by Mr. Willie Jackson. On January 11, 1970 saw the last sermon preached in this Sanctuary. This too was taken down and another built in the same year. On May 21, 1970 it was dedicated to The Glory of God. The minister during this time was Rev. Coke who is our Interim Minister today. During the seventies more land was donated by Mesers. Jim Bodden and Rex Crighton, which enabled the erection of the Church Hall during the ministry of The Rev. E.L. King. The Basketball Court was built in memory of Mr & Mrs Lanaman Watler. It was dedicated on the 18th November 1994.

We first started out under the Bodden Town United Charge, sharing the same minister and organist. In those days there was no electricity, we had to use kerosene lamps. We had a pump organ as the only main musical instrument. Our worship service was kept in the evenings. This continued for a while until the decision was made to put the North Side United under Bodden Town and put Savannah under the West Bay Charge. We continued sharing the minister. This time our service was early in the morning and West Bay would be later. This went on until August 1998 when we became our own Charge.

Here is a list of Clergy that have served with us:

• Rev. J.L. Martin
• Rev. T.D. Redpath
• Rev. William Pouchie
• Rev. J.S. Blackman
• Rev. John Gray
• Rev. Raymond Coke [twice]
• Rev. Joseph Crawford
• Rev. Edmund Kind
• Rev. Talmage Ebanks
• Rev. Collin Cowan
• Rev. Donovan Myers [present Minister].