The oldest Christian congregation in the Cayman Islands, Elmslie United Church was established by by accident - or was it divine providence? Rev. Hope Waddell, a Presbyterian minister from Jamaica, was a missionary en-route to Nigeria when his ship wrecked on a reef off the Cayman Islands. Discovering there was no organized church on the islands, Waddell stayed and established this congregation and others, beginning in 1846.
Today, the Elmslie United Church is an amalgam of Presbyterian, Congregational and Disciples of Christ congregations. Generally, Christians seem to be much better at splitting up than getting together, so it always does my heart good to see an exception such as this one.
The church is not a tourist attraction but an active local congregation. Sunday services are at 9:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Visitors are always welcome.
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