Bethtephil Basic after 35 years

IN-BETWEEN the main church building and the assembly house is the Bethtephil Basic School, which began in 1976 with six pupils and a committee headed by the then Rev Wesley Green. Attendance at the school grew to 30 pupils by 1978, and currently that number stands.

Josephine Hemmings, a member of the church congregation, was elected to be the principal and a teacher for the basic school when it was first launched. She served in that capacity for 32 years until her retirement in 2008.

"With hard work and dedicated service to God and those around, I was able to carry on for 32 years," Mrs Hemmings said proudly. "I am very happy that I was able to give back to the society the talent that God has given me, so that those around me can be better persons."

appreciation ceremony

She recalled that in 2002, she was heralded for her years of service with an appreciation ceremony held at the church.

"It makes me know people care and appreciate my work, and I appreciate it very much," she said.

Rev Brooks, who serves on the basic school board, observed that at present there are a number of in-house projects for the improvement of the facility, including setting up a play area for the students, improvement of the building's windows and installation of fire extinguishers.

"The great challenge now (for the church) is to reach out to the young people because there are a number of young persons out on the streets, and we are currently working to see how we can reach them," the pastor said.

"For this year, one of the things we are currently discussing is a programme to reach them," said the pastor. "We have not completed our discussion, but we surely want to reach at least 20 young persons to get their lives touched and transformed."

christopher.thomas@gleanerjm.com

The Bethephil Baptist Church's assembly house and basic school building.

Josephine Hemmings, the first principal of the Bethtephil Basic School, which is operated by the Bethtephil Baptist Church in Chatham, St James. Hemmings retired in 2008.

RIGHT: The Reverend Rudolph Brooks, pastor of the Bethtephil Baptist Church in Chatham, St James.