$17 Million for 101 Churches: The First Hurricane Clean-Up Grants Reach St Elizabeth

• 101 St Elizabeth churches shared about $17 million in the first grant payout
• The $75 million programme targets over 400 churches in five parishes
• Grants cover debris removal, minor roof repairs, doors, windows and waterproofing
• Churches had to apply, submit invoices and pass inspections

Nearly six months after Hurricane Melissa, the first money from the government’s church clean-up programme reached congregations. The Gleaner reported in April 2026 that 101 churches in St Elizabeth received grants totalling about $17 million in the first official disbursement.

The Community Church Clean-up and Restoration Initiative has $75 million in all and targets more than 400 churches across St Elizabeth, Hanover, St James, Trelawny and Westmoreland. The grants cover debris removal, minor roof repairs, replacement of doors, windows and gutters, waterproofing and other remedial work.

The process was not automatic. Churches had to apply, submit invoices and be inspected by the Social Development Commission and municipal corporation representatives before the size of each grant was set. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, State Minister Delroy Williams, NSWMA executive director Audley Gordon and SDC executive director Omar Frith were involved in the handover. Reverend Othniel Watson of Middle Quarters New Testament Church of God was among the recipients.

“A church is not just a place of worship. A church caters to the needs of many Jamaicans,” McKenzie said.

Simple arithmetic shows the scale. About $17 million across 101 churches is an average of roughly $170,000 per church — enough to clear debris or patch a roof, but far short of rebuilding. The requirement for invoices and inspections also means congregations with better records were better placed to benefit.

For churches, the lesson is to keep receipts, photographs and property documents in order before the next storm. For the diaspora, the grants show where public help ends: the larger job of restoring St Elizabeth’s damaged churches will still depend on congregations and their supporters abroad.

Follow Jamaica Homes on Youtube @jamaicahomes and Instagram @jamaica_homes and on Facebook @jamaicahomesnews Send us a message or email us at onlinefeedback@jamaica-homes.com or editor@jamaica-homes.com