Sharon Baptist church

by George Henry

NAME OF CHURCH: Sharon Baptist

LOCATION: Main Street, Santa Cruz

FOUNDED: 1872

SOME MINISTERS WHO SERVED: Reverends A.A McDonald; A. Barrett

CURRENT PASTOR: Rev. Jacob Powell

MEMBERSHIP: 395

NAME OF OLDEST MEMBER AND AGE: Sister B. Broomfield

( over 90)

CHURCH HISTORY: The Sharon Baptist Church got started in 1872. Its original building was constructed with dirt and stone. It is said that former slaves assisted in the construction of the building and it is also said that they even carried stones from as far as Kingston on foot to start the work.

The church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1972 and will mark its 135th anniversary next year. The building has suffered damage from several hurricanes Charley (1951), Gilbert (1988) and Ivan (2004) since its existence.

Although there have been some changes in the structure of the building, there is still a section made of dirt and stone, with the remainder made of more modern materials.

It has a beautiful long aisle, and it is no wonder, the facility is used frequently for weddings and christenings.

The building has gone through renovations since 1998, including installation of new lighting system and tiling, with a new office being constructed at the back of the building. Three churches, Burnt Savannah, Arlington and New River Baptist have come out of Sharon Baptist. The Santa Cruz All-Age School started on the grounds of the church.

OUTREACH PROGRAMME: The church has a centre where women are trained in home economics. They learn cooking, baking and sewing.

The church provides over 250 meals on a weekly basis for the street people, the sick and the shut-ins.

It has a prayer group that travels to various places according to the need for prayers by persons. The church offers counselling to couples who plan to marry, as well as to parents and children who make requests. It also runs a computer programme for needy students and adults, who are unable to afford the cost of computer education.

ORDER OF SERVICE:

SUNDAY

Sunday school - 8:45 a.m.

Worship service - 10 a.m.

Youth fellowship - 4:30 p.m.

Night service - 7 p.m.

MONDAY

Women's federation and brotherhood - 7 p.m.

TUESDAY

Women's group training - 9 a.m.

WEDNESDAY

Bible study and prayer meeting - 7 p.m.

THURSDAY

Fasting and prayer - 10 a.m.

Choir practice - 7 p.m.

FRIDAY

Prayer for needs of the community - 8 a.m.

First Friday of each month - Dedication of babies - 7 a.m.

SATURDAY

Weddings and funerals