Sad day for church

After 173 years as part of the Anglican Diocese, St Joseph’s Parish Church was deconsecrated yesterday.
Reverend Errington Massiah, the rector, said it was a sad occasion.
“Today [yesterday] is my last function here. I was here for 28 years,” he said.
The ceremony at the Horse Hill church attracted a large congregation. Bishop of Barbados Dr John Holder advised the people not to let their memories of the church prevent them from moving on in faith.
The church was consecrated in 1839 but was established in 1640, making it a more than 300-year-old building. It was closed in July 2011 due to damage sustained over time which was made worse during the earth tremor in 2007 and again by Tropical Storm Tomas in October 2010. (CA)