The Church of the Redeemer, Kingston

The Church of the Redeemer stands as the oldest Moravian church building in Kingston and has been a cornerstone of the city's religious life since its consecration on May 8, 1918, by Bishop Westphal. Located at the corner of North Street and Duke Street, this historic structure was built to replace the original Moravian Church and Mission House on Hanover Street, both destroyed in the devastating 1907 earthquake. Temporary sheds served the congregation until the new church was completed.

Unusually for a Moravian institution, the church’s name was not drawn from tradition but chosen by its builder, Jonathan Reinke, who specifically wanted to avoid the building being referred to as “Reinke’s Church.” The result was the dignified and resonant title, “Church of the Redeemer.”

The church’s facilities have evolved alongside Jamaica’s 20th-century history. A manse built in 1927 was later sold to The Gleaner Company in 1949, with a new residence established in Vineyard Town. The original church hall, opened in 1930 by Lady Stubbs, was destroyed by Hurricane Charlie in 1951, but a new one rose in its place by 1962. That same hurricane also damaged the church’s 1932 pipe organ-rebuilt in 1945 and replaced again in 1953. Visitors today can also explore the Mary Morris-Knibb Memorial Hall, named after a key benefactor whose legacy continues to shape the life of the congregation.

The Church of the Redeemer is not just an architectural landmark; it is a living testament to resilience, adaptation, and spiritual continuity in the heart of Kingston.