When Reverend Junior Ballantyne took over St Matthew’s Anglican Church at Biabou in 2002, he set out on a five-year strategic plan to help move the church forward. Today by God’s grace and his determination he has achieved that goal.

On Sunday February 4, a rededication service was held at the church after extensive renovations were done over the past seven months. The church service commenced with a procession from the Biabou Methodist School to the church. The church, which sits comfortably on a hill overlooking the blue waters of the Atlantic played host to over 200 hundred faithful.{{more}}

Parish Priest Ballantyne told SEARCHLIGHT that since the church was dedicated in 1948 no repairs were done until 2006. He said that he sometimes wonders if this was one of the reasons that contributed to some members not attending church. Speaking at the service on Sunday, the priest said that he was faced with many obstacles along the way but always kept his eyes on God and believed.

He noted that it took over $136,000 to complete the church renovations and thanked persons who contributed in one way or the other. “God has been good to us and we are moving forward in his name,” said Ballantyne.

Father Ballantyne admitted that the task of repairing the roof, windows, doors and electrical fixtures was daunting, but he never gave up hope that it could be done.

Lord Bishop of the Windward Islands The Very Reverend C. Leopold Friday who was on hand to preside over the eucharist and deliver the sermon, said that the church is called to capture people alive and bring them out of destruction and death. He urged the congregation to be willing and clean instruments to carry out God’s work. “We must always remember this house was built and dedicated to Christ and we should always view it as a holy place.”