Local Church Service

 We attended an early evening English language Christian church service today.  (One of three Christian churches of various denominations  in this area.) Whitefield Lourdes of Lady Catholic Church is housed in an old concrete church building painted a salmon color. The windows were cranked open,  and from the outside the church looked very much like churches I have seen in Jamaica. A concrete building across the dirt courtyard had signs pointing to the men's and women's toilets.

We made our way inside and were amazed at how long the space was, and how high the ceiling were. The ceiling appeared to be like that of an airplane hangar. A small group of people sat in the front of the church practing the evening  songs. The alter was beautiful with fragrant flowers sitting in front of it.

A large portrait of Jesus the Christ graced the back wall behind the alter. Lights with large round bulbs, surrounded the portrait of Jesus as well as  the arch of the large stage.  These lights also went  up either side and across the top of the arch where the alter with its large candles and Bible sat.. I noticed the candles were a bright  gold color, not the traditional white candles I had seen in American Catholic churches.

When the lights turned on the alter lit up like a pagent. It go everyone's attention. We had arrived a few minutes early and only a handful of people were scattered throughout the church; but by the time the service started, every pew was full.