Rooted in the lush hills of Cascade, St. Mary, the Newstead Methodist Church isn’t just a place of worship; it’s a time capsule of Jamaican life.
But, the church’s true treasure isn’t the weathered stone or the charming architecture, it’s the congregants and one in particular, Ms. Gloria Taylor.
Ms. Gloria Taylor: A Force of Nature
The day Kareem’s Quest stumbled upon the Newstead Methodist Church, we met a force of nature named Gloria Taylor. This 85-year-old woman, with boundless energy, was sweeping the church steps. It turns out, cleaning the church is just one small act of her lifelong service to this community.
Watch Ms. Taylor's full interview
“I was passing by and said the steps looked very dirty, so I put down my grocery bag and started to sweep the place. When we were growing up, community pride was very big and we would frequently sweep the streets as well,” revealed Taylor.
Born and raised in Newstead, Taylor’s connection to this church runs deep. As a child, she attended school within those very walls. Back then, six different grades shared the church building, separated only by enormous chalkboards.
“The teachers were very strict, so even though there were over 100 of us in the room, no one disrupted the other classes.”
Ms. Taylor painted a vivid picture of those days – no fancy watches, just the sun guiding their schedule, and a strict adherence to the school bell (or else!). Pointing to the school bell, she stated, “when that bell ring, you better be inside the classroom, because the headmaster would stand at the gate and any person who was late would get a proper beating. In those days people would just look at the sun and tell the time.”
Childhood Adventures and River Dips
Taylor’s honesty and humour were infectious. She confessed a childhood fondness for sneaking away to the river, even on school days. “I am not going to act like I was a saint. I used to love to go to the river whenever I got a break, especially because I was a good swimmer.” Her clever attempts to hide the wet spots on her skirt didn’t always work, but the occasional lashing was worth the thrill of a refreshing dip. “Sometimes teacher would call me up and say, ‘let me feel your back.’ When she realised that it was wet, she say, ‘hol out your hand!’ and I would get two or four lashes. But it was worth it,” she said with a smile.
School lunches were a simple affair – soup most days! Fridays offered a special treat – a chance to practise their ‘high table’ manners, swapping soup for a proper meal with cutlery, all in the name of good dining etiquette. “We had to sit down properly around the table and eat with knife and fork. Most children didn’t mind, because we get to eat nice food like chicken and rice.”
Community Upkeep and Playtime
Kareem’s Quest learned that Taylor’s generation took great pride in their village. Before heading down to the field for playtime (now the community centre and home to Blue Adventure Tours), the students were tasked with cleaning the entire community. Armed with brooms, bags, or just their bare hands, they picked up every speck of litter.
Where Past and Present Connect
As Taylor shared stories, she pointed towards the church grounds where many of her family and friends rest. It’s a place of remembrance, but it’s also where she finds inspiration to bring joy to those around her. As she looked at the grave of her younger sister, she told Kareems Quest, “all my life I have been at this church. It has meant so much to me because I have learnt so many lessons here.”
Her youthful spirit shines brightest during church events, where she dons hilarious costumes to make the children giggle. She has a magical touch, and the little ones gravitate towards her for stories and comfort.
When we playfully asked if the walk uphill to the church was tiring, she reminded us of the strength she gained from good, old-fashioned Jamaican food. With a twinkle in her eye, she credited all that yam and cassava for her vigor! “We never used to have fast food and so much fertiliser, so our bodies hold up much stronger over time.”
Ole time Jamaican Items
For us at Kareem’s Quest, Taylor represents the enduring spirit of the Jamaican people, especially those in the rural parts. Her connection to the Newstead Methodist Church offers a glimpse into the island’s rich history and culture. We believe that encounters like this make travel truly special.
Learn More at Kareem’s Quest
If you crave expert travel advice, head on over to https://kareemsquest.com/contact/. Want to discover more gems like the Newstead Methodist Church? Check out our “Culture” section at https://kareemsquest.com/jamaican-culture/
