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A brief sketch of

St Thomas’ Anglican Church,

Middle Island, St. Kitts

Prepared by Learnice Mitchell and Dr. Susan M. Kenyon

2013

ST. THOMAS’ CHURCH – MIDDLE

ISLAND is the oldest Anglican

Church in the West Indies,

introduced shortly after the arrival

on the island of St Kitts of the

eponymous Captain Thomas

Warner. In 1623 Warner arrived

with a crew of twenty and settled

the first European colony on the

island. In 1625 Captain Warner

returned from a successful trip

back to England to sell the tobacco

crop grown by the new settlers, and brought with him the Reverend John Teatley (also spelt ‘Featley’).

Former member of Magdalene College and Fellow of All Souls, Oxford, he became Rector of Middle

Island from 1625-1634, establishing the first Anglican congregation on the island. With the rapid

expansion of European settlement, a second rector was appointed in 1630 (at Palmetto Point) and

shortly after, one on the east coast of the island.

Originally Anglican churches on St. Kitts were temporary structures of wood on cobble-stone

foundations, with out-buildings of wild cane. St. Thomas was no different. It stood to the west of the

present structure with the tombs of Sir Thomas Warner and Samuel Jefferson situated inside the church.

This building was badly damaged by hurricane and earthquake, particularly the earthquake of 1841, and

by 1860 worship was being held in the school room. The present stone structure, built by the colony in

1860 at a cost of 2,000 pounds sterling, was consecrated on April 21st, 1861 with Darius Davey as Rector.

One of the most significant events in recent history occurred on Tuesday 8th October 1974. As a result

of an early morning earthquake, the church tower collapsed. Shortly before 6 am, Sexton Joseph

Duporte was on his way to the church to ring the angelus for matins. He had just reached Warner’s

tomb when the ground shook, scattering stones all about him. Arch-Deacon Hodge, then Rector for St.

Thomas, was leaving his rectory home in Sandy Point to conduct the service when his house shook. He

remembers rushing back upstairs to check on his frightened family before hurrying over to the Church.

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The collapse of the tower and further tremors led to serious damage of the roof. Extensive fund-raising

led by Father Menes Hodge enabled this to be repaired and the Church reopened. The consecration

took place in 2000, with Father Payne-Cook as Rector.

Ecclesiastically the church is in the St. Thomas parish, one of nine Anglican parishes in St. Kitts and part

of the Diocese of North East Caribbean and Aruba. The Archbishop of the Diocese is based in Barbados.

The Church

Architecture

The present church was built in 1860, as indicated by the date

on the tower, and is based on a typical British design of

extended nave and tower at the western end.

The Church Tower

According to Rollinson's (2010) survey, the tower was approximately 41 feet high

with a base of 14 feet by 18 feet. It was built from local volcanic field stone

(andesite) and lime mortar, using traditional methods dressing field stones to make

blocks of approximately 10-12 inches square. These are then laid in an inner and

outer row 24 to 36 inches apart. The space between the inner and outer wall is

filled with consolidated rubble (small stones mixed together with lime mortar). The

gaps between the facing blocks being filled with mortar, 'pointed' to prevent

rainwater getting into the consolidated rubble as well as providing a more

aesthetically looking finish.

The dimensions and design of the tower are typical for the period, found elsewhere

in the English-speaking Caribbean, including St. George's Anglican Church,

Basseterre. The original design of a tall tower for its relatively small footprint size

makes these towers particularly susceptible to damage from earthquakes and

hurricanes. When the St. Thomas Church tower was re-built in 1860, substantial

exterior buttresses were added for additional support. Their effectiveness was

revealed in the 1974 earthquake when only the unsupported top third of the tower was destroyed.

The earthquake which destroyed the bell-tower also created a crisis for the church bell. This valuable

instrument was originally cast in England and used for over a century to summon parishioners to

worship. After the 1974 earthquake it was placed on the floor of the old tower – but was secretly stolen

to be shipped overseas. The ship carrying the bell was tied up at the island of St Thomas, en route for

the East, when the theft was discovered and the thieves apprehended. The bell was returned to St Kitts,

and is now stored in the rectory until it can be rehung. Meanwhile the two small support bells are

mounted and used, but lack the resonance of the old bell.

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Congregation

Today there are about 200 active, though aging, members of the parish. People recall that the Church

was far more important in their lives in the past, a time when transport was difficult and alternative

diversions, few. This was when plantation owners sent workers to tend the garden and graveyard, and

Church lands were immaculate; when youth groups were large and energetic, hosting concerts and

sports events regularly; when early morning mass was crowded and members regarded the church with

respect and even awe; when all children were baptized and the Church was packed for a funeral. Since

the early 19th century St Thomas has kept full records of the activities of the parish and these reveal how

the congregation as well as the Church has changed. In 1850 the congregation consisted largely of farm

labourers (men) and domestic workers or laundry workers (women). Today the high church form of

worship appeals to an increasingly educated congregation, while many working people prefer one of the

“outside” churches so popular on St Kitts.

The former importance of the Church is echoed in oral accounts. One woman remembers from her

childhood in the mid-20th century that Christmas services were particularly memorable. Her family

lived in the village of Half Way Tree, where her parents kept a bakery. On Christmas Eve the children

Church Youth Group activities 2013

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would be put to bed early, then woken at 10pm to find new clothes laid out for them. With great

excitement they got dressed and then all set out, to walk the few miles to church. Singing carols as they

went, they were joined along the way by other Anglicans heading for the same midnight mass. Finally

the crowd rounded the corner into Middle Island and there, at the top of the hill, was St Thomas Church,

colored lights bursting from its stained glass windows, a magnificent sight backlit by the night stars. Few

other places at that time had either electricity or glass windows like the Church, which was lit up like the

Promised Land.

Though largely silent in Church records, women have long played an important role in the life of the

Church. Outstanding recent parishioners include Ms Lilian Davis, beloved Church organist and Sunday

school teacher (who died around 1965), and Ms Edna Tyrrell (1914-2011), school teacher and

community leader.

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The Cemetery

More likely to survive earthquakes and

hurricanes, tomb- and monument-stones in

the West Indies are generally older than the

churches in which they are found. St.

Thomas Church cemetery, the oldest in the

Island and possibly in the British Caribbean,

contains some of the oldest tombstones in

the region. These date back to the 17th

century, the graves of wealthy white land

owners and buccaneers. Slaves and labourers, not admitted to the Anglican congregation until the late

18th century, were more likely to be buried on the estates where they died and, until recently, had

unmarked graves. Parish records, however, mention one William Wells, wealthy land owner and father

of Nathaniel Wells, first black sheriff in UK, as being buried in St Thomas cemetery in 1794; and the

family of John Duport (born 1830, who was sent on the first West Indies mission to Africa) was already

resident in the area by that time.

Some distinguished people were buried in St Thomas's graveyard. The earliest burials were those of Sir

Thomas Warner in 1648 and his friend Captain Samuel Jeaffreson in 1649. That of Sir Thomas Warner is

the largest, its marble stone weathered but the expansive epitaph still largely legible. Sir Thomas, the

first Lieutenant-Governor of St Kitts, was knighted by King Charles 1 in 1629. Adjacent is the grave of

Captain Samuel Jeaffreson, born in Suffolk, England, in 1584, and neighbour to Thomas Warner. Great-

great-great grandfather of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the US, he arrived in St Kitts in 1625 with

his brother John Jeaffreson, captain of the Hopewell, which relieved the distress of the new Kittitian

settlement after a hurricane in 1624. He then became the owner of Wingfield Estate (the Red House

Plantation), subject of the first land-grant in the English Caribbean, in 1625.

Michael Lambert, Major General of the Leeward Islands and sometime Governor of St. Christopher’s,

died 1723/4 and was also buried in St Thomas cemetery.

Pavilions covering the graves of Sir Thomas Warner and his friend Captain Samuel Jeaffreson,

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Two illustrious old families are commemorated inside the Church. Over the west door, a monumental

marble remembers Sir Charles Payne (died 1744), descended from an illustrious Norman line. Another

monument is to Captain John Pogson (died 1686). One of his descendents, Sir Edward Pogson (died

1892) is buried in the cemetery. Owner of Bourkes Estate, he gave land for the Pogson Hospital in Sandy

Point.

Several English clergymen who served St. Thomas parish are commemorated in the Church. Rev. Louis

Randolph Victor Spinks (died 1969), Rector of St. Thomas Church from 1915-1932, is remembered with a

plaque. Father Bulteel, Rector from 1942-44, was buried facing east (as befits a priest) in the grave

outside the main Church entrance. Next to Father Bulteel, but facing west (as befits a congregationer)

lies Joseph Nathaniel Duporte (1915-2006), Sexton of the church for over sixty years. At his request, he

was buried next to his friend. Duporte's mother and wife are buried in the grave just below them.

Other recent graves include that of Sir Geoffrey Boon (1888-1970), owner of Wingfield Estate for many

years, and an important benefactor of the church. He is buried with members of his family to the west

of the main church entrance.

Rectory

For many years St.

Thomas’s parish priest

was housed in the

rectory, next door to

the church and

parishioners and

former priests recall

what a beautiful home

it made. Damaged in a

hurricane in 1990, the

rectory now is used

only for committee meetings and social events. The surrounding grounds continue to be used for

church bazaars and celebrations.

The Church School

Until 1915, education on St Kitts

was provided largely by the

Churches. Virtually all children

started out in a church school,

and for many years St Thomas’

was the only school in Middle

Island, still remembered as the

Church School building 2013

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"School with the Cross" because of the large

cross above the porch roof. Even after the

government became responsible for education,

schooling continued to be held in this hall, closely

linked to the Church. People today recall how

every Wednesday morning all the students had

to attend mass at 9 o'clock, lining up in pairs to

walk over to the Church.

Glebe Lands

St Thomas Church continues to be surrounded by church-owned land (glebe land). On much of this a

range of fruit trees - mango, guava, soursop and breadfruit - is cultivated. Private homes now also

occupy some of this area.

The original Church School building

School building

Glebe lands surrounding the Church and Rectory

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many people contributed to this research. Particular thanks are due to Ms. Norma Duporte. We also

appreciate the help of Archdeacon Valentine B. Hodge; Rev. Dick-Grant; Mrs. Corinth Rodgers; Mr.

Oliver Spencer; Mr. Joseph Gibson; Mr. St. Clair Samuel; Mrs. Jane Canning; Mr. Wallcott Hillocks; St.

Christopher National Trust and in particular Mrs. Kate Orchard, Mrs. Jacqueline Armony and Ms.

Natasha Leader. We wish to emphasize that this is a preliminary study, intended to stimulate further

research in due course. We would welcome comments and feedback.

REFERENCES

Buisseret, David. 1980. Historic Architecture of the Caribbean. London: Heinemann

Manchester, Kathleen D. 1971. Historic Heritage of St Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla. Trinidad

Matheson, D.L. 1973/74. The Thomas Warner Story. Unpublished booklet.

Rollinson, David. 2010. A Survey of the Tower, St Thomas Church, Middle Island, St Kitts, West Indies.

Unpublished Report prepared for St Thomas Church.

St Thomas Cemetery Inventory, St Kitts. 1999. Prepared by Caribbean Volunteer Expeditions, NY, and

Center for Historic Cemeteries Preservation, Tallahassee, FL for the St Christopher Heritage Society.

Walker, G.P.J. 1992. The Life of Daniel Gateward Davis, First Bishop of Antigua. Creole Publishing

Company, St Kitts, WI.