ELMSLIE MEMORIAL CHURCH (The United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands)

By Joan Wilson

Elmslie Memorial Church was built in the early 1900′ s. Prior to the successful construction of Elmslie, three earlier churches stood on the same site. These were the early days of the 18th century. The first being the Anglican Church which was destroyed totally by a massive hurricane in the year 1837. That was the days of wattle and daub walls and thatch roofs. The Anglicans rebuilt but again that too was destroyed by the 1876 hurricane, and, again determined to have a church on the same site, this time a slightly larger and stronger church of wattle and daub, but with a shingle roof was rebuilt, but again it was destroyed by another hurricane in the year 1917. However, they had a pretty good innings and served the community for approximately 40 years.

It wasn’t until 1920 that the congregation decided to ‘yet build a much stronger, almost hurricane-proof building – a building that would express their reverence to God.

The new Church was designed by a Scottish Architect based in Kingston, Jamaica, having been invited to prepare plans for the new Church building. His name was a Mr. R. Gilles. He designed the Church Building in the shape of a cross. This time though they wanted the Church to be built of cement blocks. But who knew anything about cement blocks, and where would the funds come from? A brilliant suggestion was given to Rev. R. N. Dickson, who was serving as Minister at that point in time, that he would contact Caymanians living in the United States and elsewhere, appealing to them for help to raise the funds needed.

Rev. Dickson was successful in collecting an amount equal to 800 UK Pounds. Then who would make the concrete blocks? No one had ever worked with cement before.

So it was decided to send Captain Rayal Bodden to Jamaica to the Portland Cement Works to learn how to work with cement and how to make the moulds to make cement blocks. After all, Captain Rayal was a prolific ship builder and it was suggested that he should build the Church. The architect commented that ‘anyone who can build a ship can build a Church, but not everyone who can build a Church can build a ship.’ Each block was made by hand and this was a long and tedious job. So Elmslie Memorial was the first structure to be built of cement blocks. The wood and timber for the roof and window frames I am told came from a particular shipwreck.

On the 1st July 1920 the foundation was laid and at the same time it was decided to name the Church Elmslie Memorial in memory of the first Presbyterian Missionary, Rev. James Elmslie, who had ministered on the Island for 12 years, 1846 -1858. Rev. James Elmslie was a Pastor and friend to all.

So with Captain Rayal Bodden as foreman for the building of the Church, he found and employed many local, gifted and talented carpenters. One of the most gifted finish carpenters was Captain Rayal’s brother, Mr. Roland Bodden II. Mr. Roland Bodden was responsible for the much-admired ceiling in Elmslie Memorial Church. Mr. Roland was a ship builder also. The two Bodden brothers worked together tirelessly and by the end of the second year the Church was completed and dedicated in 1922. The ceiling resembles the upturned hull of schooners the two brothers had designed and built previously.

The present pews in the Church were built by Mr. Elroy Arch, another of Cayman’s finest shipbuilders. The price of the pews was 5 pounds each and was built from mahogany, which was imported from Belize. Members of the congregation were asked to pay for them. The pulpit was a gift from Mr. W. M. Cochrane in memory of his brotherin -law, Rev. John Edmond Martin who was a missionary for nine years, The Communion table and the three chairs on the platform are from the Sunday School teachers and students. The Baptismal font is from a member in memory of her daughter and the lectern was a gift ofMr. William Dickson, in memory of his Son Rev. R. N. Dickson

Elmslie Memorial Church has unofficially served as Cayman’s “cathedral” for many years.

Remembrance Day is observed each November, with persons placing wreaths around the Memorial Cross in the Churchyard.

In 1965 Elmslie Memorial became a part of the United Church in Jamaica and Grand Cayman bringing the Presbyterians, and Congregational Churches together and then later the Disciples of Christ merged as well.

On the 11th September 1996 the National Trust in the Cayman Islands unveiled a historic plaque making Elmslie Memorial Church a ” Building of Historic Interest”.

In December 2010 the very first Governor’s Award for Design and Construction Excellence was jointly given to Elmslie Memorial Church for its outstanding design and construction. The other joint winner was Camana Bay Town Centre.

HE Governor Duncan Taylor said in presentong the awards, “It was very difficult to choose just one project as both the Elmslie Church and Camana Bay Town Centre exemplify what the award stands for – Design and Construction Excellence. These two particular projects although built almost 90 years apart – were (and are) ahead of their time with regards to sustainability and design.”

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IMAGE: Elmslie United Church