ST.ANDREW'S

The History of Canadian Presbyterianism in Trinidad is a very rich, noble and interesting one. In compiling the History of one congregation it is impossible to separate it from the History of the Total church. Before considering the pioneering era of the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, a period of four years, (1876 - 1880) we will venture back in time and consider the genesis of the Canadian Mission in Trinidad.

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The year 1868 saw a young Canadian Missionary with his family arrive on the shores of this island to establish a Christian Mission among the East Indian indentured labourers. The pioneer missionary, John Morton, established this Mission at Iere Village on premises formally occupied by the Presbyterian Church of the United States. This was only two miles away from Princes Town.

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As the work progressed at Iere Village, Morton began exploring other suitable areas for establishing the work of the Mission. Soon his thoughts were turned in the direction of Princes Town. On August 5th 1876, he wrote in his diary:

 

"There can be no doubt whatever about the "Mission" being a suitable centre. We have a prominent position in the eye of Christians, Mohammedans and Heathen .... Thankful for these advantages we go forth to sow the incorruptible seed never for one moment forgetting that our sufficiency and our success are of God." 1

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Eight years after Morton arrived at Iere Village, the Missionary activities of the Canadian Presbyterian Church were established in Princes Town on a half acre plot of land which was generously given by Mr. Darling, owner if the Lothian's estate. On this land, was erected a Manse, which was completed in July 1876. Opposite the Manse another piece of land was secured and in July of that same year a small building for worship was completed. Thus in July 1876, the Presbyterian church in Princes Town was born.

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The first church building serves as a dual purpose for it was used not only as a church building, but also for a day school as well. By the end of July 1876 day school classes were being conducted for the children of Princes Town.

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The task of the Pioneer Missionary in the area of evangelism and outreach was by no means an easy one. In "The Mission" as Princes Town was the called, converts did not come easily.

Morton wrote in 1881:

"The Number of Communicants for the District (after five years) was about twenty.

Converts were still slowly won. In the first year (1876) only

nine had been baptized. In the fifth and last year, the number had reached only 

seventeen adults and twenty children."   2

This is by no means a Success Story.

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In the year 1880, four years after the Church was established, the first group of Elders were ordained to assist in caring for the flock. Morton then left the Princes Town field to open up New Areas of work in the Caroni area which begun in 1881.

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Despite the slow start in Princes Town, Morton left the congregation in a very optimistic frame of mind. He wrote later in his Diary "Conditions of progress seemed assured." The fruits of Morton's  labours were reaped by his successor Rev. J. W. McCleod who went to Princes Town in 1880. He was in fact the fourth Canadian Missionary  to come to Trinidad since the inception of the Mission.

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During the period Morton served in Princes Town, he was ably assisted by Catechist Joseph Amajee and on the departure of Morton in 1880, the Communicant Roll stood at twenty.

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The four years Morton spent in Princes Town were very eventful and rewarding in many ways and going beyond the task of Preaching and Conversion he got involved in a number of Community Projects in the Town. While in Princes Town, Morton was privileged to take direct part in the event which led to the changing of the Name of the Town from "MISSION" to Princes Town. This change of Name took place on the 23rd January 1880 when Prince Edward and prince George visited the then "Mission."

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Morton who was resident in Princes Town at the time wrote,

"The Magistrate, the Rector and Myself, received 

the Princes and the Governor asked the Princes to plant two trees."

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Mrs. Morton wrote,

"Mr. Morton held Prince Edward's cloak while he planted his tree.

After a Luncheon the Governor declared that in honour of the visit of the Princes

he had decided to call the Mission  - PRINCES TOWN, and that two principal

streets be called Edward Street and George Street."  3

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This transition took place while the Mortons were still resident in Princes Town.

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The Drama of this enterprise in Princes Town took a new turn in 1881. It was the uncovering of a PLOT to ASSASSINATE John Morton while he was in the "MISSION." If this plan was executed, the glowing career of this young missionary would have certainly come to a premature end.

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The facts of this plot were recorded by Mrs. Morton in the Biography of her husband.

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"We have before us evidence of two agents who declared that while Rev. Morton

was in Princes Town they had been offered a large sum of money

($400.00 - $600.00) to take his life. Their evidence was taken down on the 29th August 1881

in blue pencil on eight pages, by the hand of Rev J. W. Macleod and in the presence of

Rev. Grant in San Fernando.

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The agents said, "they were to do the killing in any manner they liked. One suggestion was that they shoot Mr. Morton when he went to shut the windows of his house at night."

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She continued,

" The evidence was not considered to be sufficient to take proceedings nor would the 

Missionaries have been willing to do so. They, however, approached the police

authorities who informed certain parties that they had noted the information 

against them and if violence was offered to any connected with our Mission,

they would bring it home to them using their present information to convict them."

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Mrs. Morton continuing on the same subject said "Mr. Morton seems to have mentioned this matter in public once." This was at St. James Church in New Glasco in 1883. On that occasion Rev. Morton said, 

"The employer wanted the work done first, (i.e. the Assassination).

The agents wanted the pay first, afraid that they would not get it afterwards.

Thus God brought to nought the Councils of Wickedness and our lives were preserved."

Morton continued,

"We never mentioned this before but we feel more free

to do it now because they are dead who sought our lives."  4

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The Chief agent never became a Christian but sent for the nearest missionary of the Presbyterian Church to pray with him only a few years later while on his death bed.

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The Missionary to follow Rev. Morton was the Rev. J. W. Macleod, who spent eight years in Princes Town. When Rev. Macleod arrived in Princes Town in 1880, he immediately recognized the need for a more adequate place of worship and a proper school building.  Committing himself to this task, he erected a neat Church Building opposite the Mission House on Edward Street. This building was dedicated on 29th September, 1884, and was given the name  - ST. ANDREW'S. The work of Rev. Macleod came to an end with his passing away in 1886 and was buried in TUNAPUNA.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

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1. John Morton in Trinidad by Sarah Morton page 158

2. Ibid page 215

3. Ibid page 219

4. Ibid page 220

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