Charles Town church honours community 'Saints'

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

CHARLES TOWN, Portland:THIRTY-ONE persons received awards for outstanding contribution and invaluable service to community development during the 66th anniversary celebration of the Charles Town Gospel Chapel, Portland, recently.

Among the awardees were Winsome Carby, principal of Charles Town Basic School, and Harvey Gordon, principal of Charles Town Primary, for outstanding contribution in the field of education; while Lenora Irving and Isadora Samuels were recognised for their contribution towards community service and development.

"These awardees are our local heroes," said George Williams, pastor of the Charles Town Gospel Chapel. "Their service cannot be weighed or measured, and we are fortunate to have such persons, who are always willing to go beyond the call of duty to assist. Some of these awardees have retired, but have continued the trend, while other have simply adopted the spirit of sharing and caring," he added.

long-standing members

The Charles Town Gospel Chapel has an intriguing history since its inception in 1945 in a garage in that community by its founder the late Noel Aiken. Since then, the Gospel Chapel has produced dedicated and long-standing members, including 95-year-old Islyn Campbell, an active and ardent church member. Irving was inspirational in soliciting support from Food For The Poor to assist the needy of that community.

Pastor Williams, who has been head of the congregation for the last nine years, boasted about the various services offered by the Gospel Chapel to the community, which has thrown its full support behind the church, and has assisted it greatly.

Continuing, Williams disclosed that the church provides a number of services to the community, including remedial classes for all ages, CXC classes in maths, English, social studies and physics. "We also operate a homework and resource centre; provide assistance to those preparing for the Grade Six Achievement Test, as well as provide skills training in knitting, needlework, and crochet," Williams said.