The members of the Beacon Light Church of the Nazarene who are celebrating the
church’s fiftieth anniversary dedicated their new sanctuary – the Family Life
Centre – located on Amy Byers Street as one of the highlights of their celebrations.
The new sanctuary was dedicated in an elaborate ceremony on Sunday attended by
senior members of the church from Antigua and Barbuda and across the region,
and senior government officials, including the Governor General’s Deputy Sir
Clare Roberts and Lady Alice Roberts and Prime Minister Gaston Browne. Also in
attendance was the nation’s oldest surviving citizen, Gladys Hodge, who has been
a member of the church since its inception.
Another highlight was the launch of the Beacon Light Trailblazers’ Trust in honour
of those individuals who performed yeoman service on behalf of the institution in
its formative years and beyond.
The Beacon Light Church of the Nazarene was formed back in 1973 by Rev.
Henry Lee and his wife, Rev. Dr. Rosa Lee as the Beacon Light Church. Later, it
merged with the Nazarene Church, and this was reflected in its official name.
Along with the Reverends Henry and Rosa Lee, the other trailblazers being
honoured are Hubert Browne, Dennis Grant, Clifford James, David Kenford
James, and Sylvanus Jarvis.
Prime Minister Browne offered congratulatory remarks at the thanksgiving service,
and he pledged the sum of $ 50 thousand towards the Beacon Light Trailblazers
Trust.
Head of the 50 th Anniversary Celebrations Committee, Dionne Gordon, said funds
from the Trust will go towards completing the sanctuary as well as to assist church
members in various pursuits.
There is also a 50 th -anniversary commemorative magazine available. The theme for
the magazine is Our Past We Embrace, Continuing the Legacy.
Over the past week activities such as a picnic, a gala, and a talent night all formed
part of the celebrations.
