A year of nervous anticipation among Methodist faithful was rewarded on Sunday when the Kingstown Methodist Church finally reopened its doors after massive renovations.

Eyes gazed in wonder from corner to corner to see the splendour that surrounded them.{{more}}

Over a thousand congregated in the brand new varnished pews, which glittered from the radiant light of the new crystal chandeliers that adorn the beautiful ceiling. The church also sports brand-new stained glass windows and a new pulpit.

Over 1.5 million dollars was shelled out to restore the building, which was originally built at a cost of 7000 pounds sterling in 1841.

Many were glad to reassemble in their original place of worship, after being housed next door in the Church Hall for the past year.

The Rededication Service on Sunday afternoon was preceded by a march from the Vegetable Market to the Church by members and well-wishers for the unveiling of the cornerstone.

Suffering from slight case of influenza, former President of the Methodist Church of the Caribbean and the Americas Reverend William Watty said the easy task was complete, but much still needs to be done. “The hard part

is now to bring back those who are scattered and lost. You cannot pay anybody to do that job for you,” Watty stressed.

In his message, Watty also stated that God must take away the first, in order to establish the second. He said that as Christians, they must learn to let go of the certain things in order for God to have his way. “Christ’s mission is to demolish and reconstruct and to get to that, he abolishes the first to get to the second.

Reverend Watty told the congregation that the reconstruction is the work of faith through God’s people. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.”

Watty urged the gathering not to let catastrophe and disaster hold back the work of the church and reassured them that Methodism is here to stay.

Borrowing a phrase out of Calypso King Kenneth “Vibrating Skakes” Alleyne’s song, District President and Superintendent Minister Reverend Victor H. Job recited, “In this moment of history, tell it to every community, our chapel is restored to national treasure.”

Reverend Job thanked the many who contributed in monetary and in other ways. He also thanked the Catholic and Anglican Churches for the support they offered by making their churches available for funeral services over the past year. The Minister also mentioned that no money was borrowed to carry out the work. He said that he learned a lot from the project. “I have seen growth in our members’ spirituality over this year,” he stated.

Craig Deys, head of Craig Deys Enterprise of Guyana, and main contractor in the restoration project, was presented with a plaque of appreciation for his work.

The choir was also at their best with Bro. Brenton Bailey and Patrick Prescod accompanying on the organ. The Bevington 844-pipe organ, which was originally installed in 1900, was overhauled at a cost of US$25,000 by David Burke Organ Builders of Barbados.

The Kingstown Methodist Youth Fellowship also rendered a song for the occasion.

Also officiating at the reopening were Reverend Cuthbert Edwards, former Superintendent of the Kingstown/Chateaubelair circuit and Brother Monty Maule.