Happy Grove United

LOCATION: Happy Grove, St. Elizabeth

FOUNDED: May 1904

SOME PASTORS WHO SERVED: Reverends Edmond King, Gerald Emanuel, Hyacinth Edwards.

CURRENT PASTOR: Rev. Icylyn Parkinson

MEMBERSHIP: Less than 100

OLDEST MEMBER: Cyril Adams (96)

CHURCH HISTORY: The Happy Grove United Church got started with less than 10 members on May 24, 1904, as a Presbyterian Church. Its name was changed to United in the 1980s. It is a sister Church to the Giddy Hall United and it is part of the Giddy Hall charge, which also includes the Kilmarnock Church. The Happy Grove Primary School got started on the grounds of the church and was there for many years before it was relocated to its present location, about 120 metres opposite the church. A basic school at Happy Grove also got started on the church ground. The church has been spared the wrath of several hurricanes over the years, but it has suffered minor damage, resulting in a leaking roof due to lifted zinc sheets.

OUTREACH PROGRAMME: The church carrys out visits to the sick, the elderly and the shut-ins in and out of the Happy Grove community. It assists in the cleaning of houses for the elderly and the washing of their clothes, among other things. It works in collaboration with the charitable organisation Food For the Poor in the distribution of food and other items. The Women's Fellowship at the church participates in devotional exercises at the Happy Grove Primary School every Monday.

ORDER OF SERVICE:

SUNDAY

Sunday School - 10 a.m.

Divine worship - 11 a.m.

TUESDAY

Home economics practice - 10 a.m.

WEDNESDAY

Prayer meeting and Bible study - 6 p.m.

THURSDAY

Third Thursdays - Fasting and prayer - 10 a.m.

Choir practice- 5 p.m.

- BY GEORGE HENRY