190 years of strength
THE WILLIAM Knibb Memorial Baptist Church, since 1827, has found itself planted in the heart of the town of Falmouth and has served the community and its environs with distinction. As we stand together this 190th year, we have fashioned the view that ‘through many dangers, toils and snare, we have already come’. Our history eloquently reminds us of the 1832 fire which destroyed the first chapel, which was later rebuilt by the membership.
The second building, after surviving storms and earthquakes within that period became an absolute ruin by the cyclone of Sunday, August 20, 1944. Hence, what we now have as the house of worship is the third building on this site. We remain grateful to God for His guiding hand on this tremendous journey.
Out of the belly of the ministry of this church, several other congregations grew to include Bounty Hall Baptist Church, Granville Baptist Church and, most recently, the Greenwood Baptist Mission. The church continues to serve sacrificially and is not only bound to the preaching, but to social justice, social issues and social needs.
GENERATION OF BELIEVERS
Appropriately, the church bears the name of William Knibb whose work and worth, before, during and after emancipation stands as a continuous reminder to this generation of believers as to what we are called to be and do in God’s world. On this basis, our anniversary celebration is an embodiment of the call by the Jamaica Baptist Union to the ‘Living of the Sacrificial Life’. As we celebrate, we are aware that while the church has remained in the same area, it now has to minister to, and in a different era. All the present and the unforeseen challenges will be met head-on with supreme confidence as expressed by the Rev Dr George V. Simpson: “The church will remain viable because of the God of the church, the Grace given to the church and the guarantee made to the church.”
The call to serve this historically endowed congregation is both a joy and a challenge, being acutely aware that where I stand is on the shoulders of the tremendously gifted servants who have left a trail of faithfulness to God. I am humbled to be the chief servant leader understanding that we are called to be the face of Christ, hence we are ‘seeing the world, sensing the need and speaking the word.’ We further declare that the church is not only interested in celebrating the historical legacy, so as a result, our programmes and ministerial opportunities are ‘fuelled to open hearts, hands and homes’. This we cannot do without your prayerful support and the dedication of the leadership and members of our congregation. As we run our leg of the race, it is my sincere pray that: “May the footprints that we leave Lead them to believe And the lives we live inspire them to obey Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.” (Steve Green) God bless you. REV DEVERE NUGENT Pastor Falmouth Circuit of Baptist Churches