The Belmont Methodist Church is one of the six churches in the Bethel Circuit. The Church was established in 1838. 
**Location:**
It is situated on My Lord’s Hill, St. Michael.
**Hours of Worship**
The Church meets for worship every Sunday morning at 9:00. a.m. 
**Congregational Stewards**
The Congregational Stewards of the Belmont Methodist Church for the Church year 2020-2021 are Brothers Edson Downes, Anthony Coward, and Sister Audrey Lovell

**Organizations**
The organizations of the Church are the Bible Study, Prayer Group, Women’s League, and the Church School. Classes meet for fellowship at various times during the year.

**History of Belmont Methodist Church**
In the 18th Century, the Methodist Church, began preaching and reaching out to the slaves and freed persons. For many, for the first time, they were hearing that they were children of God who loved them, they had souls and they as much human as their slave-masters, and they responded. The persecution, charges and trials of our National Hero: The Rt. Excellent Sarah- Ann Gill and her commitment to God and the Methodist Faith at this time is well acknowledged. Around this same time free villages began to spring up around Barbados, including in The Ivy, Licorish Village and My Lord’s Hill. 

With a Gospel of God’s love, His forgiveness and inclusion, persons were drawn to hear Methodist preachers. Preaching Places were established. In 1838, an application was sent the Bishop of Barbados, Bishop William M. Coleridge, seeking permission to establish a Preaching Place in My Lord’s Hill, and this was granted the same year. Again, it is not established if persons were meeting before this, however Belmont celebrated its 180th anniversary as a congregation in 2018. 

The exact location of the meeting place was not known, but the “Hill” is constantly referenced. in the Demerara District Synod report, reference is made to a wooden chapel 16ft X 30ft which existed in 1839 and that there was a Preaching Place where local preachers conducted services on the Sabbath. The membership then was reported as 76 for the previous year. The building was also referred to as a Chapel- School. It is believed that that building was somewhere near to this present site. In a quarterly report to M.M.C. in 1860 Rev. Hurd Superintendent of The Barbados Circuit, condemned the dilapidated condition of the wooden building and the difficulty being experienced in find a suitable piece of land for a new Chapel-School. The following year Rev. Hurd was able to report that a parcel of land was purchased for 84 pounds. 

Governor Francis Hincks laid the cornerstone for this sanctuary on October 21, 1861 and it was occupied in 1862 at a cost of 400 pounds, of which M.M.C. contributed 100 pounds and The St. Michael Vestry 100 pounds. It is reasonable to assume that the remainder was given by the members. The property there had three separate buildings. A separate building was established for the school as well as a teacher’s house The Headmaster was Mr. Thomas W. Carrington. 

In 1867, it was reported that the school and teacher’s house were in urgent need of repairs. In spite of this, the school was reported to be a very good one. This credit was given in 1867 to the then Headteacher, Mr. John Moore. It was credited “as one of the best schools in the island” by the Inspector of schools. It is not known when or why the school ceased to function, but it was succeeded by the Belmont Primary School, which still carries the same name to this day and maintains a good relationship with the church. The chapel was enlarged to its present size in 1893 at a cost of 288 pounds. In 1909, a quarter acre of land was bought, and a house built for a second minister in the circuit. This was located approximately 100 metres away. This was sold in 1953 for 2700 pounds and a lot bought in Welches Terrace for 415 pounds, on which the present Belmont Manse stands.

Many of the early Belmont worshippers were craftsmen, carpenters, masons and other skilled workers. One of the best-known families is the Tudors. Mr. Harold A. Tudor was a Local Preacher, Class Leader and Choir Master. He and his first wife, Mary Rosanna, were parents of H. A. Tudor Junior. He was the father of the late Canon Harold Tudor, J. O. Tudor, Society Steward and Circuit Steward of James Street, Inez Tudor, Organist here, Luther Tudor, Local Preacher in this Circuit and Octavia Wiltshire, mother of Rev Errol Wiltshire. Bro. Tudor adopted the South District Church, which was developed as an outreach of Belmont and opened in 1919. Another notable family in Belmont is the Lovell Family. The family came originally from St. John and settled in the area.  The father and mother had four sons and one daughter: Samuel, DacCosta , John,  and Carlotta. Samuel and Dacosta both served as Society Stewards and John served as a Local preacher for over 60 years and also as Organist, Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent and along with some then young people was forefront in erection of the hall which was named in his honouur in 2014 Carlotta was best known for her singing and hymn writing There were also some other well-known names including the Workmans, Seymour and his wife Gwendoline Marshall, and James and his wife Ilene Maynard.                

Many Ministers, both local and from other lands, have served this church over the years. They, along with the Organists, Sextons, Sunday Superintendents and Teachers, Society, Congregational, Care Fund and Property Stewards and all others have given heartfelt service to this Belmont Methodist Church. Our present Minister is the Rev. Pearson Blackman, Sis. Rosline Selman is the Sexton and Bro. Olivier GCM is the Organist.

### **Organisations**
**Church School**
The Church School has on average about 25 -30 students who attend regularly. The Church school activities commence at 9:30 a.m. except on first Sunday when the students first go to Sunday school and go into church around 10:00 a.m. for communion. Jacqueline Hope is the Sunday School superintendent 
**Choir**

![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/__w6Ud4_ZCIUn0YToQr8yQ1vfpSkuxUD4rQ4typzJEHR5iVa_89Wmql-oPzkGwiHok5V-mUuOSjbYIj0agu4suzPbrw87aaRNAHL94KgBlfy9vaBLWYM36BdoREPq2ppyi3lA8VR0s8vI7LJ-Q=s0)
The Belmont Choir has sixteen members and is directed by Bro Kumar Whitehead. The Belmont Choir practice on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. The choir organises two programmes; a Good Friday recital and the Annual Christmas Programme which is held on the Tuesday before Christmas.

**Women’s League**
The Women’s League dates back to the sixties and currently has a membership of ten persons with six active. The Women’s League meets every other Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. The activities include devotions, bible study, social events including birthday celebrations. The members continue to provide service to the shut-ins through visitations and provision of care items.
The Women’s League conducts the Women’s League Service on Fifth Sundays. 
The league participates in National Island League including the Island Christmas social and attend the MCCA Women’s and Men’s events.
The members of the Executive include:
- Sis Lucille Lashley – President
- Sis Marlyn Trotman – Vice President
- Sis Marion Applewhaite – Secretary

**Youth Group**
The children and youth of the Belmont Church meet on Fridays at 6 pm. Some of the activities include cooking, bible study. The youth visit with other groups in the circuit and island-wide.



