History of The
Irish Pen Seventh-day Adventist Church
During the decade of the 1970’s, a new and exciting political wave swept over Jamaica. Both the religious and the irreligious were affected in one way or another by this phenomenon. It was a time when the popular ideology was Democratic Socialism. The nation as a whole was largely stirred by the new concepts of sharing, togetherness and self-reliance. This was the climate in which the Irish Pen Seventh-day Church was born.
In 1972, after the general elections, a group of supporters of the Peoples’ National Party erected a small wooden structure approximately 16ft. x 14ft. on lands belonging to the Steel Factory for the purpose of convening meetings. The improvement of the Job’s Lane community and its environs was among their objectives. One of those in attendance was Elgin Amos.
Elgin Amos was a member of the Central Village S.D.A. Church and a resident of 16 Job’s Lane. He however, had more than political objectives. He had the vision for a church in the area and that the building (the shed) which was used for political purposes could also be used for religious ones. He approached the relevant authorities and requested it to be used to conduct Sunday school. Permission was granted and the meetings started in 1972.
The following year, 1973, there were new and significant developments. A small group of enthusiastic Adventists was by now using the facilities to convene Wednesday evening meetings. The spirit of evangelism charged the brethren and Elgin Amos led out in the first crusade. He was supported by Bro. Spencer (Winston Spencer’s brother) and the brethren of the Fairfield Road Church (now St. John’s S.D.A. Church). Three persons were baptized. After the crusade, the brethren went to the Spanish Town Church for Sabbath worship.
It was not really smoothed sailing for the young congregation; sometime in early 1973 the Steel Factory management demolished the shed because it was illegally erected on its land. The materials (wood and zinc sheeting) were salvaged and taken to the adjoining property own by the St. Catherine Parish Council. A structure was rebuilt by the undaunted brethren but for religious purposes only. Some of the brethren who were instrumental in the rebuilding process were Prudence Brown and Milton Clarke
The year 1974 was another turning point in the history of the Irish Pen Church. Calvin Gibson came to live at 16 Job’s Lane, a few houses (about 6) away from Bro. Amos. They soon became closely acquainted and set the stage for greater evangelistic outreach in the area.
A second crusade was started by Bro. Amos but was completed by Bro. Calvin Gibson and Bro Robinson of the Central Village Church. (Bro Amos migrated to the USA) Approximately six (6) souls were baptized from this effort. Mention should also be made that a significant portion of this young congregation was the family members of Bro Amos and Bro Gibson. Regular Sunday, Wednesday and Sabbath services were now held. Electricity was procured from the Barrett’s residence an extremely kind set of neighbours. Approximately 100ft of electrical cord was unrolled and rerolled night after night by untiring brethren in order for the meetings to be convened.
The years 1974 and 1975 witnessed the addition of young pioneers such as Clement Clemetson (brother of Everton Clemetson), Lebert Johnson (Lloydie), Margret Howell (1st AY Leader), Joiline Morrison and Joy Madan-step grand daughter of Calvin Gibson. She can be remembered for her angelic voice as she played the guitar.
The congregation was organized officially as an extra large Sabbath School about 1976 by Pastor Basil Henry. His crusade and another by Compton Gaskin (student of West Indies College and a native of Guyana) added much to the vibrancy of the congregation.
Much opposition was experienced at this time. Idlers from the area would use the building as their meeting house. As they gathered, they would eat sugar cane and scatter the trash all over. Sheets of bagasse board from which the structure was made were also stolen. Strayed animals used it as their sleeping place leaving behind urine and filth. Imagine the stench and debris the brethren had to encounter and dispose of in order to get the place ready for Sabbath and night services. Despite all these challenges the congregation steadily grew stronger, numerically and spiritually. At this time the congregation boasted a membership of approximately one hundred persons. After observing its rapid growth, the Central Jamaica Conference decided that it was time for it to become independent of the Spanish Town S.D.A Church (its mother). It was therefore organized as a church in 1976. During this time other prominent brethren came along. Among them were Pearl James and family (Oral, Orley, Yvette, and Kaye) who were sent from the Spanish Town S.D.A Church primarily to assist with in the Sabbath School department. During this time worshippers from afar would come to experience the Irish Pen spirit because they had heard about its uniqueness: mostly young people, outstanding AY programmes, zeal for the mission field and informative bible classes. The music was rich then-Oral James (J) playing the accordion and mamma Lyn (then wife of Calvin Gibson) singing the tenor.
At this time too, the size of the membership had far outgrown the building. In 1976 the 16ftx14ft wooden structure was expanded to a more stately wooden building. The brethren could be accommodated much more comfortably and with a greater sense of pride. Soon that wooden structure was outgrown too and a wing was added to the eastern side. One can recall its floor paved with river stones. However, worship was sweet and the fellowship heavenly despite the inconveniences.
During the first half of the 1980’s the church continued to grow substantially. The Pathfinder Club was born due largely to the effort of its first Director- Ronald Francis from the St. Johns S.D.A Church. Other outstanding Pathfinders were Prudence Brown, Lois Spencer, Veronica Wright, Anthony Tucker, Winston Rogers, Delbert Robinson (eggy) and Lebert Johnson. The Albatross Pathfinder Club (named by L. Johnson) was the number one Club in Central Jamaica Conference for a number of years.
Other outstanding names of the latter half of 1970 and early 1980’s were: Charles Mairs, Algon Freeman, Errol Silpot, Morris Oxford, Angela and Donna Huggan, Clifton Freeburn, Cecil Thompson (long standing Head Deacon) and Hope Thompson, Momsel and Charmaine Bankersingh. Other enthusiastic and talented young people were Errol Thompson and Winston Rogers (Delroy). Errol was a fearless house to house evangelist. The Gospel Echoes was born at this time. It was a group of male singers lead by Charles Mairs (Baba) and adopted by Bro Maragh of the Stanberry Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church.
In 1986, ground was broken for the construction of a permanent building. It is the same foundation on which the present building stands. Orley James and Calvin Gibson were the driving forces behind this effort.
In 1988 Hurricane Gilbert completely destroyed the old wooden structure around which the permanent building was being built. Having nothing under which to gather for worship, most of the brethren went to St. John’s Church along with all the furniture. Despite this set back the faithful brethren could be seen worshipping and communing with GOD under the moon lit and starry heaven as they had Week of Prayer. Some of us worshipped at the Willowdene High School Auditorium on Sabbaths.
The Lord smiled on us in a marked way. By joining hands and hearts together we worked assiduously to bring this present building to a usable state. Thanks to the effort of Calvin Gibson, Elgin Amos, Allan Rose and Leslie Sutherland. On March 25, 1989, Everton Clemetson the first elder then, preached the first sermon in the new edifice. Pastor Grant also had the distinction of being the first pastor to have worshipped here.
To date (2010) three important off-springs were born to the Irish Pen Church. They are:
1. The Vilmore S.D. A. Church. It began through the efforts of Pastor Wesley Gayle and the willing hands from the Irish Pen congregation. Sis Knight and Bro Gory and others were among the first pioneers at the Vilmore Church.
2. The Irish Pen Basic School (now early childhood institution). It was founded through the instrumentality of Norene Clemetson and Arlene Clarke (Gaye). These two ladies were young members of the church who wanted to be gainfully employed after leaving All Age School. They were encouraged to start a school in the community. The School was first held in the church building during weekdays. Later it was transferred to the Community Centre and now at its present location.
3. The Wynters Acres S.D. A. Church. It came into being after a crusade in 1999 that was conducted by Elder Lascelles Davis. Brethren who opted to be relocated from the Irish Pen Church were Bro Davis and family, Bro Maxi and Sis Mazie Rose, the Baghaloo’s, Sis Oxford and daughters, Bro Calvin Tahal and family, Bro George Dawkins and family, Bro David Bryan and family and Sis Maureen Mc Ewan and daughters. This migration of key workers resulted in the weakening of the workforce at Irish Pen Church. The effects are being felt even until today, ten years later.
Pastors who have served in the development of the Irish Pen Church over the years are as follows:
PASTORS:
Salmon
Donald E. Kent
Allan Haye
Wesley Gayle
D. Nichols
Mitchell
Thomas Bryan
Everett Brown
Jonathan Miller
G.S. Hyatt
Ivor Harry
Roy Dennis
Howard Grant
R. Lobban
Intern Pastors Were:
Mobrey Lewis Rooswell Lobban
Emile Maxi Sewell
Kemar Douglas Everett Rowe
Romone Phoenix
First Elders
1974-1985 Calvin Gibson 1986 Algon Free 1987 Orley James 1988 -1989 Everton Clemetson
1990 Alvin James 1991 - 1993 Calvin Gibson
1994 -1995 Anthony Tucker 1996-1997 Everton Clemetson 1998-1999 Lascelles Davis 1999- 2009 Anthony Tucker 2010-2011 Everton Clemetson
Researched and documented by Everton Clemetson-Dec.2010
