Jamaica / Places of Worship

Jamaica has a mind-boggling proliferation of religions. There are reckoned to be more churches per square mile on the island than in any other place in the world. More than a hundred religions and denominations are represented. Just under two thirds of the population are Anglican, but within that, besides the established Anglican Church from British colonial times, there are also Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Moravians and the many members of the Church of God. Then there is Roman Catholicism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and other sects such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons and the Bah’ai faith. Then there are many Jamaican spiritual cults which have their roots in animist African religions, such as Pocomania and Kumina. They have some aspects of Western/European religion, but also a strong belief in the spirit world. Some Jamaicans will happily believe in both these and the Christian religions. 

But the most famous Jamaican faith is Rastafari. It originated on the island in the 1930s in a time of growing black consciousness in the Americas led by Jamaican Marcus Garvey (later a Jamaican National Hero), but it attributes its spiritual roots to Africa. Its followers believe that they are the lost tribe of Israel and looked to Ras (which means prince) Tafari Makonnen, who later crownedHaile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia. They believed that as the living God (Jah), he would lead them back to Africa on the Day of Judgment, to live in the Promised Land known as Mount Zion. Haile Selassie carried the title Kings of Kings, Lord of lords, Conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah, and of the Root of David (King David), matching those of the Messiah mentioned in Revelation in the bible. Rastas wear their hair in unshorn and unbrushed locks (dreadlocks) and they do not shave, which they do on the basis of the following from verse the bible “They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in the flesh" (which also prohibits invasive medical treatments). True rastas are peaceable vegetarians, who eat ital food (which contains no added salt) and they partake in the spiritual smoking of marijuana (ganja/herb) which they believe brings them closer to God. This is one of the aspects of the belief that has brought approbation in Jamaica itself, where despite their following and recognition outside the island they are generally considered a slightly odd, minority sect. 

Here are the locations of some of the many churches around the island. 

Anglican 

St James Parish Church, Montego Bay, t 952 2775 - Kingston Parish Church, t 922 6888, and St Margaret’s Church, t 927 0651, Kingston - St Mark’s Anglican Church, Mandeville, t 962 2876 - St John’s Anglican Church, Ocho Rios, t 972 2305 - Portland Parish Church, Christ Church, Port Antonio, t 993 9111 - St Mary Anglican Church, Negril, t 957 4578. 

Roman Catholic 
Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Montego Bay, t 952 2481 - Holy Trinity Cathedral, t 922 3335 and Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, t 927 6579, Kingston - Mary Gate of Heaven Church, Negril, t 957 4900 - St Theresa Catholic Church, Black River, t 965 2209 - St Anthony's Catholic Church, Port Antonio, t 993 2747 - Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Ocho Rios, t 974 2384, 972 2279 

Baptist 
Burchell Baptist Church, t 952 6351 or Calvary Baptist Church, t 952 4375, Montego Bay - Bethel Baptist Church, Kingston, t 926 8272 - Mandeville Baptist Church, t 962 3118 - Ocho Rios Baptist Church, t 972 2405, 974 7139 - Port Antonio Baptist Church, t 993 2789. 

Methodist 
St John’s Methodist Church, Montego Bay, t 952 2527 - Coke Methodist Church, Kingston, t 922 2224 - Ocho Rios Methodist Chapel, t 974 1420, Port Antonio Methodist Church. 

Judaism 
Jewish Synagogue, Kingston, t 922 5931 

Evangelist 
Port Antonio Church of Christ, t 993 9111 - Mona Church of Christ, t 977 5660 - St Ann's Bay Church of Christ, t 972 8513 

Church of God 
Church of God of Prophecy Jamaica, Head office, 6 Phoenix Avenue, Kingston, t 926 5571 / 926 8543