in the churches
The clergy of the mainstream churches were probably the most respected professionals in Jamaica in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; the majority of them deserved this respect. Along with the teachers, the clergy held communities together and helped them to raise themselves up. In the late 19th century all these churches, except the Roman Catholic church, had native Jamaican clergy of African ancestry. None of them had women clergy, but the life of Isabel Burris shows that women were fully capable of playing an equal role in the activities of their respective churches.
Unfortunately the clergy written about here do not at present include representatives of the Baptist church, such as the Rev T Gordon Somers, or of the Methodist Church, such as the Rev Theo Glasspole. They, along with many others, deserve to have their careers properly recorded. This is one area in which families, communities and churches could play a very worthwhile role.
Unfortunately the clergy written about here do not at present include representatives of the Baptist church, such as the Rev T Gordon Somers, or of the Methodist Church, such as the Rev Theo Glasspole. They, along with many others, deserve to have their careers properly recorded. This is one area in which families, communities and churches could play a very worthwhile role.