Its Roof Collapsed in 2015. A J$17.7 Million Restoration Brought Sam Sharpe’s Church Back

• Burchell Baptist Church in Montego Bay rededicated its restored chapel in August 2018
• The two-year restoration cost J$17.7 million and was funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund
• The work followed a roof collapse in June 2015
• National Hero Samuel Sharpe was once a deacon at the church

A Montego Bay church tied to one of Jamaica’s most important freedom struggles reopened its chapel in August 2018 after a costly two-year rebuild. Burchell Baptist Church, 194 years old at the time and founded by Reverend Thomas Burchell, held a rededication service on Sunday, August 5, 2018, the Gleaner reported.

The restoration was triggered by the collapse of the chapel roof in June 2015. The work cost J$17.7 million and was paid for by the Tourism Enhancement Fund. Beyond repairing the structure, the project added ramps to make the building accessible to people with disabilities, along with a media room.

The church’s place in history helps explain why public tourism money went into a place of worship. National Hero Samuel Sharpe served as a deacon at Burchell before the original building was destroyed during the Baptist War, also known as the Christmas Rebellion, of 1831-1832.

Bishop Conrad Pitkin told the congregation: “Your church stands as a pillar of strength and inspiration to the city of Montego Bay, and by extension, to the parish of St James.” He added: “I’m trusting that it will continue to be a great lighthouse to the city of Montego Bay and the parish of St James.” The service was held under the theme “Partnership Fuelled by Commitment and Faithfulness”. The same weekend, the Texas-based Burchell Youth Development Foundation held its fifth annual scholarship awards, presenting scholarships to 40 high school and tertiary students.

The Burchell case shows one route by which heritage churches in Jamaica can pay for major structural repairs: presenting the building as part of the island’s historical and tourism offering. Few congregations could raise J$17.7 million from collections alone. For churches holding heritage property, the lesson is to document their history, keep buildings eligible for public or heritage funding, and build partnerships at home and overseas, like the church’s link with the Texas-based foundation, before the roof comes down.

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