www.pucja.org
 
Click for Portmore United Church -- Home
 

The history of the Portmore United Church is closely related to the history of the development of the Portmore Community. In the early 1970s, the housing development in the Portmore area began and this led to the migration of many families from Kingston and St. Andrew to settle in this new community.

While the development was taking place, the Synod of the Church felt that it was important to begin a new mission in this new area. A piece of land was therefore bought in one of the new housing developments – Bridgeport for $28,000. It is on these premises that the Hall and Sanctuary have been erected.

   
 

The three (3) congregations from the Surrey Council that were instrumental in the developmental of the church were: Webster Memorial, North Street and Meadowbrook United Churches.

The ministry began in 1973 with a Sunday school, which was held in the home of a member of the North Street United Church who lived in the area. The members of the United Church who lived in the area were responsible for the Sunday school. Worship Service also began at the same time in the same home.

Groundbreaking for the erection of a sanctuary was held on December 14, 1977. In order to maintain fellowship among members, prayer groups were formed and met in homes.

During the summer of 1976, Mr. Gordon Evans, student of the United Theological College was assigned to the new mission to give new energy to these prayer groups. In 1977, after his graduation, he was given pastoral oversight for the congregation. Mr. Evans was instrumental in erecting the Hall, where the first worship service was held on April 10, 1977. The official opening of the Hall and the congregating of the membership, which totaled 50, were done on June 19, 1977.

The membership of the church grew rapidly and there was now need for a Sanctuary. In 1980, groundbreaking for the sanctuary was done. The building process proceeded and on April 15, 1984 the sanctuary was opened and dedicated.

The ministry of the church expanded. There was a strong music ministry and a high population of children and youth. The major outreach programme in those early days was a Health Clinic, which served the community once per month.

Rev. Gordon Evans served the congregation for eight (8) years and was succeeded by Rev. Garwelll Bacchus and then Rev. Egbert Harvey. There were other ministers who served in an interim capacity, as well as theological students who were assigned for short-term placement. At present, Rev. Christopher Mason is the Minister.

The congregation has bloomed and continues to grow and minister to the needs of the people in the church and community.


PORTMORE UNITED CHURCH
TELEPHONE# CHURCH OFFICE: [876]939-1900
MANSE:[876]988-0226
COPYRIGHT© 2003

email: webmaster@pucja.org