DIOCESE OF JAMAICA

THE LUCEA PARISH CHURCH CURE Consists of:
3 Churches situate at Lucea, Green Island, Dalmally.
3 Mission situate at Churchill, Grange, Eaton.

THE PARISH CHURCH OF HANOVER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN JAMAICA.

The Church was built in the year 1725, two years after the parish of Hanover came in to being in the year 1723.

The records in the Archives of Jamaica reveal that the Church had its:

First Baptism in 1725
First Burial in 1727
First Marriage in 1749


Throughout the years, efforts have been made to maintain the Church in its true Architectural Style and in recognition of this, it has been declared a NATIONAL MONUMENT by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.

Early records reveal that the Church was built on the site of an old Spanish Church and currently Ms. Bella Image, a Cambridge graduate in archaeology and who is temporarily residing in Lucea has agreed to do a "dig' on the south side of the building in order to ascertain if there are indeed Spanish bricks at its foundation.

At the north transept, there is evidence of an archway said to be the remains of an underground Tunnel which led to the also historic Barracks at the Fort Charlotte (1720) approx. 20 chains away.

The Church Steeple was built by the Chambers family of "Everton" now the residence of the Minister of the United Church. The earthquake of 1957 - caused the spire on the battlement tower to truncate. It was subsequently altered to accommodate a domed capping, which is still present.
In 1789, a clock with 3 dial faces was installed in the square tower beneath the steeple but it has long since disappeared and the apertures filled with jalousies. These jalousies have also been replaced by solid concrete.

This Church has been the place of worship of several generations. Tablets on the walls of the Church bear testimony to persons of repute in the earlier days. The custom was discontinued from the 1970's by Diocesan policy, so unfortunately there are no tablets to remind us of others who served their Church and Parish faithfully and well in the latter and present years.

Of note are those to clergymen:

D.W. Rose 1806 - 1824. He defied the authorities in support of justice for the Poor and was imprisoned in 1816.

John Stainsby 1833 - 1853. His record of defending the underprivileged earned him the reputation of being "worse than the Baptist". The tablet was erected by the congregation who "treasured his memory and deplored his loss".

Andrew Davidson 1860 - 1876. He was the last state paid Rector as the Church of England in Jamaica was disestablished in 1870. There was mutual love between him and his parishioners and he continued serving as Rector until 1876.

Other Notables are:

John Castello 1812 - 1877 : Promoter of Legend "Annie Palmer of Rose Hall"(aka The White Witch).

Walter Jekyll 1849 - 1929 : Musician, Gardener, Philosopher, Teacher, Writer. He is the Author of "Jamaica Song and Story (1907)

Simon Clarke 7th Baronet 1727 - 1777. His memorial tablet flanked by the figures of "Faith" on the left holding a book and 'Hope' on the right resting her hand on an anchor was sculpted and sign by John Flaxman, himself a leading English sculptor and Artist of the 18th Century.
Flaxman is responsible for many monuments in classical style in English Churches. It is believed that this is the only piece of work in Jamaica done by Flaxman. The National Gallery of Jamaica has included it in their catalogue of artistic treasures belonging to Jamaica.
Sir Simon's body was buried in the Church and his Tombstone under the Rector's stall testifies to his being the only interment in the Church. Burials in Churches were prohibited from (1792)

Adella, Eliza and Fred Emanuel: This was the last tablet placed in the Church. Adella and Eliza, sisters, were organists and choir mistresses in different periods, Fred is remembered for his rich bass voice.

The Pipe Organ, an old Walker of 1891, is still in use.

The stained glass East Window depicting the Ascension of Jesus Christ, was donated by the then Custos of Hanover, the Hon. G.A. Santfleben.

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The Churchyard (now closed for burials) with its numerous old graves, some standing many feet above ground, is in itself a Monument to the rich history of our Country. There is also a tree that bleeds only on Good Friday when the bark is cut.

Other interesting facts:

The Hanover Parish Church was visited by King George V, then Prince of Wales and the Duke of Clarence. They lunched at the Rectory and played Cricket at the Barracks at Fort Charlotte.

The Building Society Movement for Savings and Loans was introduced to Hanover by the Rector and Committee Members of the Hanover Parish Church. It began in 1893 as the Hanover Benefit Building Society and continued until 1996 when it merged with the island wide "Jamaica National Building Society" still fulfilling its role.

The Hanover Parish Church has had strong links with Ruseas' High School from it's inception in 1777.
It was the only Secondary School in the parish then and in the early four Rectors of the Church servered as Head Masters in this Bastion of Education.

Lucea Anglican Board Projects

Town of Lucea

For All Information On Restoration Fundraising,
Please Contact: Barbara Young-Maxwell at tmax447938@aol.com