Emancipation Day History: Mission Chapel Church (National Monument)

As we celebrate Emancipation Day in Guyana on August 1st, 2024, the Mission Chapel Congregational Church which is located at Lot 12 Chapel Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice played a pivotal role in the African history in Guyana. The church which was established in 1815, by Reverend John Wray is one of the oldest structures in New Amsterdam, and one of the oldest churches in Guyana. Slaves, during those days (1800s), met a lot of challenges when it came to receiving religious education. In fact, all forms of education were stifled by the British planters, as they feared that the slaves would become wise and rebel if they were to be educated. In the Mission Chapel Church when it was founded in 1815 and church constructed first in 1819, African slaves were taught to read and write and had their religious education. Slavery in Guyana was eventually abolished on August 1st, 1838. The church is still operational in this present day, and it is a National Monument in Guyana.
Source: National Trust of Guyana (2022), and Kaieteur News (2011).
Music by: Guyana West Coast Berbice Drummers
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