Anglican priest dies at 89

Charles Alexander Adams, who founded the Bequia Anglican High School, and was rector of St Mary’s Church in Bequia for over 45 years, has died.

The Diocese of the Windward Islands announced on Tuesday that Adams, 89, died on Friday, February 15 at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in Kingstown.

His funeral service will take place today, at 10:00 am at the St George’s Cathedral, Kingstown, followed by a short service at the St Mary’s Parish Church, Bequia and internment in the St Mary’s church yard cemetery.

The release from the Diocese said that Archdeacon Charles Alexander Adams, who was born on December 19, 1929, was originally from Georgetown, St Vincent. He migrated to England where he studied for the priesthood and was ordained Deacon in 1960 and to the priesthood on May 28, 1961.
He returned to the Diocese of the Windward Islands as a missionary from the Church of England in 1967 and served as rector of the Parish of St Mary, Bequia with Holy Cross, Paget Farm, St Michael, Canouan, Mustique and St Matthias, Union Island for over 45 years and as Archdeacon of St Vincent and the Grenadines for approximately 35 years. He also served at the St George’s Parish church in the Archdeaconry of Grenada during the interregnum in 1984-85.

“Archdeacon Adams will be remembered for his generosity, hospitality and contribution to education, social and community work and adevelopment, particularly in Bequia. He believed that the Gospel was concerned not only for the spiritual needs of people but for the whole man. He is the founder and person responsible for the construction and operation of the Bequia Anglican High School, and gave yeoman service to the people of Bequia through his ministry and involvement in social and community work. He assisted many young people in the Parish and beyond in pursuit of their goals and was a source of strength and comfort to those who were in difficulty or need. Many persons from St Vincent including non-Anglicans can speak of his remarkable hospitality; the rectory doors were always open and all were welcomed to share a meal or to be refreshed,” a release from the Diocese said.

The House of Hope Society, which was established in April 1999 to provide care and support to those living with HIV/AIDS and their immediate family members, was the brainchild of Archdeacon Adams.

“We give thanks for his many years of invaluable and faithful ministry as Archdeacon of St Vincent & the Grenadines; Rector of the Parish of St Mary Bequia, Holy Cross Paget Farm, St Michael Canouan, Mustique and St Matthias Union Island; and generally as a priest in the Diocese,” the release said, and extended sympathy to his relatives, friends and parishoners.