St. Andrew Parish Church, Kingston

The Saint Andrew Parish Church, located in Kingston, stands as one of Jamaica’s oldest and most distinguished churches. Originally founded in 1664-just four years after Britain established its civil administration following the island’s conquest from Spain-the church reflects both the religious and colonial history of the nation. It is named after Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

The current church building, completed in 1700, is the third iteration, following the destruction of earlier structures, one of which fell in the devastating 1692 earthquake. Built of red brick and featuring elegant arched entrances, the structure has undergone several enlargements and renovations, notably in 1879 and again after the 1907 earthquake, to accommodate a growing congregation and repair storm and earthquake damage. A Church Office was added in 1974 to support administrative needs.

For over two centuries, until the Anglican Church's disestablishment in 1870, Saint Andrew Parish Church was the sole Anglican church in the parish. During this period, it was central to the spiritual life of the community and helped establish various mission stations, many of which eventually became independent congregations.

The church is also notable for its interior beauty and historical depth. It holds some of Jamaica’s oldest and most exquisite monuments and memorials. Its stained glass windows, installed after 1879, contribute to its aesthetic and commemorative significance. The church’s present organ, the fourth in its history, was installed in 1978.

Surrounding the church is one of Jamaica’s oldest cemeteries still in use, where numerous prominent individuals tied to the island’s history are buried. In recognition of its enduring cultural and historical importance, the Saint Andrew Parish Church was declared a national monument by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust on April 3, 2003.