It shouldn’t even be necessary for Minister Arden McLean to suggest the Elmslie Memorial United Church not be sold or destroyed.
But with progress comes the threat that the church could be sold for development.
Doing so would be a sin.
Elmslie is part of our history, our heritage and who we, as Caymanians, are.
Its future shouldn’t be dictated by greed, either on the part of church members or developers.
If members of the congregation feel they’ve outgrown the structure, have a fundraiser, find someone to donate a spot of land and build a new church; but keep Elmslie where it is and hold special services and events there as well continue to use it as a meeting place for various organisations.
Captain Rayal is probably turning over in his grave.
Elmslie was the first church he built of handmade concrete blocks over a two-year period between 1920 and 1922.
The good captain went to Jamaica to learn how to mix concrete properly and came home to take the job as foreman, overseeing the work of talented Caymanian craftsmen.
The interior of the church is a testimony to our maritime history. Its ceiling resembles the hull of an upturned ship and is made from timber, mostly salvaged from a shipwreck.
We have already lost too much of history and heritage through over development, especially on Grand Cayman.
And it’s all been for the sake of the almighty dollar.
This is one instance when there should be a resounding NO from the congregation, the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands and the CI Government to those who wish to buy Elmslie and tear it down.
Elmslie has and will continue to do just fine at its waterfront site while multi-storey buildings go up around it.
Just take a look at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
The people of that city realize the importance and appreciate the placement of the cathedral, as do visitors.
What a wonderful place to escape the frenzied world that is New York City. Residents and visitors alike are awash with a sense of peace when they leave the hustle and bustle and take refuge in the church.
If plans are being made to sell Elmslie, they should be nipped in the bud now.
Carrying through with such a plan would be doing a disservice to this country and her people.
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