Parish: Hanover
Hanover Parish Church, also known as St. Mary’s Anglican, is one of the oldest churches in Jamaica, with its construction believed to date back to around 1725. Historical records show that the first baptism occurred in 1725, the first burial in 1727, and the first marriage in 1749. The church’s early design featured a small altar, which was later replaced by a larger one, a gift from the Savanna-la-Mar Church.
One of the church’s most notable features is its pipe organ, which dates back to 1891. Remarkably, it is still functional today, although it requires periodic cleaning and occasional overhauling due to damage caused by heavy rains. The church also houses several monuments and graves, adding to its rich historical significance.
Throughout its long history, two priests stand out for their courageous stance on justice. D. W. Rose, who served as pastor from 1806 to 1824, was imprisoned and fined £100 for preaching on the rights of enslaved Africans. John Stainsby, who s…
