NEW BEULAH MORAVIAN CHURCH

 

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HISTORY OF THE NEW BEULAH MORAVIAN CHURCH

THE JOURNEY:

On March 17, 2013 New Beulah celebrated (50) years of Christian witness in Mandeville and it’s environs.

New Beulah began their journey from Ward Avenue in Mandeville through the territories of ‘Hard work, Prayerful Trust, and Great Hope’, fifty years ago. Gladys E. Bayley O.D; J.P. (1902-1985) ‘Moravian Born; Moravian Bred’, came to live in Mandeville,  coming from the Fairfield Congregation. She felt keenly the need to establish a Moravian congregation here and worked hard, giving sacrificially to make it happen. Initially Sunday afternoon prayer meetings were held in her spacious living room at 32Ward Ave.

Regular Sunday afternoon worship Services were conducted by Rev, Fred Linyard and later Rev. H Ashton Smith, began there in February 1963, but soon had to be changed from 3:00p.m to 9:30a.m. on account of heavy afternoon rains. Worship Service continued at Ward Ave. for approximately three years during which time members worked with a determination to  have a place of worship for their own.

In May 1966 ground was broken at 27 McKinley Road, which they required for the construction of a ; Church Hall’. On December 4, they started worshipping there even though the building was not finished.

Rev. Fred Linyard’s departure to serve the Trinity Congregation as minister and also as tutor of the ’United Theological College of the West Indies[U.T.C.W.I]. March 1965 welcomed the Rev. H Ashton Smith as minister of the Mizpah Circuit of churches. He continued the work left by Rev. Linyard, and along with Rev. Ivan Shaw {1971-1973}; Rev. Basil MacLeavy {1974-1977]; Rev. Clinton Robinson {1977-1980}; Rev. V.I .Peart {1980-1983}.

In 1983 The Rt. Rev. Neville Neil assumed pastoral responsibility for New Beulah. He began the mighty task in meeting the requirements of bringing the sanctuary to completion. Members and non-members at home and abroad responded to his offer to share in the work of erecting an edifice to the glory of God. Bishop Neil had a greatness of humility, a keen sense of humour, was an amazing story teller, an impressive dramatist and along with his wife Deaconess Barbara Neil was extremely hospitable and entertaining. They employed all these characteristics, and along with Bishop’s inimitable charisma effectively led this congregation to a membership of over 200 members.

Amidst suffering from lack of enough funds, periodic non-activity, members rose in a united front to the task. The present building was completed, opened and dedicated in September 1989.