Hurricane Melissa a real-time case study' of colonialism's legacies

"Perched on the edge of a hill in the idyllic village of Cold Spring in Hanover, Jamaica, the Gurney's Mount Baptist church has stood for centuries as a symbol of resistance and endurance. The church and its congregation has endured through uprisings in particular the famous 1831 slave revolt led by the Black Baptist deacon Samuel Sharpe and earthquakes. But when Hurricane Melissa descended on Jamaica, it ripped off the church roof"

"Outside, parts of the structure had survived the onslaught of the category 5 storm. The church is one of Jamaica's 146,000 buildings just 15% of those assessed so far that has suffered major to severe damage, according to Alvin Gayle, director general of Jamaica's emergency management office. The death toll on Thursday was 45, with 13 people missing; an estimated 90,000 households and 360,000 people have been affected by this damage."

"The names of past members are still etched into its walls and the freedom stone, built into its structure to commemorate the end of slavery on 1 August 1838, is still there. As church and faith groups play a significant role in Jamaica's recovery, the loss of the building and parts of the adjacentschool are a huge blow to the community, Rev O'Neil Bowen, told the Guardian."

Gurney's Mount Baptist church in Cold Spring, Hanover, Jamaica, has stood for centuries as a symbol of resistance after surviving uprisings including the 1831 slave revolt led by Black Baptist deacon Samuel Sharpe and past earthquakes. Hurricane Melissa ripped off the church roof and shredded pews, leaving a mangle of wood and debris while parts of the structure survived the category 5 onslaught. The names of past members remain etched into its walls and the freedom stone commemorating the end of slavery on 1 August 1838 remains in place. Jamaica reports widespread building damage, with 146,000 buildings impacted and many assessed as major to severe. The confirmed death toll reached 45 with 13 people missing, and an estimated 90,000 households and 360,000 people affected. Church and faith groups face a central role in recovery, and the loss of the church and adjacent school represents a significant community blow. The Legacies of Enslavement Programme has been engaging communities on repair priorities.

Read at www.theguardian.com