By Archdeacon Valentine B. Hodge

A little over a year ago, St. George’s Parish Vestry undertook some major repairs to the church tower clock. This has been for us as much a benefit to the Parish Family of St. George with St. Barnabas as it has been for the rest of our island community. This is why such repairs have been hailed by all as being reminiscent of the time when the clock struck ‘every hour on the hour’, and when those who had no time-pieces listened for the chymes in order to know the time of day.

The c hurch with the help of many in the community was able to accomplish this successfully by bringing in an expert from the United States, and having to pay for the expenses including accommodation, transport, airfares and overweight for the heavy tools to do the job. Though it was costly, it was worth it.

At this time, we are embarking on repairs to the church tower which will be as costly, but equally just as necessary. From the tower one can look out to the city of Basseterre (where there is a co-cathedral today) and view West Basseterre, Porte Zante, Bird Rock, the airport and New Road areas with a sense of pride, as these places have had tremendous infra-structural development over the years.

Actually the records, photographs taken a century ago, tell the difference between then and now; and when this church tower is repaired, tourists and residents alike will be able to get the best view imaginable of Basseterre and its environs.

You can assist the church in this repair project by attending its 150th Anniversary Banquet and Ball, under the Patronage of His Excellency, Dr. Sir Cuthbert M. Sebastian on Friday, April 17, 2009, at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, 7.00 p.m. – 1.00 a.m.

Come celebrate with us while supporting a worthy cause!