St. Teresa's Church, Guyana

 History of the parish really begins from 1955 when Fr. Alfred Ellis SJ was appointed assistant parish priest at Holy Rosary parish in Kitty. Fr. Britt Compton SJ was the parish priest at Holy Rosary Church from 1954 to 1958. Fr. Ellis had been stationed in Mahaica but had been suffering blackouts so it was thought better not to leave him on his own. Fr. Britt adapted the presbytery at Kitty to accommodate a second priest and was glad to hand over to him the work of establishing a new parish in Campbellville.

During the time of Fr. Pearson, parish priest before Fr. Britt, between 1953-1954, a land had been acquired behind the site of a proposed new school. A ‘ready-made’ Church building had also been acquired from the American Air force who had donated their chapel from their base at Atkinson field. This had been dismantled and reconstructed on the new site and this stands sturdy to date.

While living in the presbytery at Kitty, Fr. Alfred Ellis spent most of his time in Campbellville, going off after breakfast on his motorcycle, returning for lunch and then going back in the afternoon after a short nap. Eventually he set up a partition behind the altar of the Church to create a room, which he could use for the siesta, and eventually take-up residence there. In this way the Church at Campbellville comes to existence under the leadership of Fr. Alfred Ellis making him the first parish priest from 1955 to 1960. This year marks the 60^th anniversary of the parish. As we remember this milestone, we would like to thank God for his blessings on the parish community at St. Teresa’s.

A number of priests have served in the parish either as Parish Priests or Assistant parish priest.

St. Teresa’s Catholic Church

Parish Priests

1. Fr. Alfred V. Ellis SJ                                                               1955-1960

2. Fr. Terence Petry SJ                                                              1960-1963

3. Fr. Michael Rose SJ                                                                1963-1966

4. Fr. Alfred V. Ellis SJ                                                               1966-1970

5. Fr. Aloysius Church SJ                                                         1970-1974

6. Fr. John Smith                                                                         1974-1976

7. Fr. Joseph Mahase                                                                 1976-1977

8. Fr. Michael Rose                                                                     1978-2006

9. Fr. Jerri Dias SJ                                                                        2015-

Auxiliary Priests

1. Fr. Bernard Gardner SJ                                                                         1970-1974

2. Fr. J. Hopkinson SJ                                                                 1970-1974

3. Fr. Keith Hardless                                                                 1970-1974

4. Fr. Jerome Kellawan                                                            1976-1977

5. Fr. H.A. Cromwell                                                                  1976-1977

6. Fr. Terrence Montrose                                                        1976-1977

The parishioners fondly remember Fr. Michael Rose as a priest of simplicity, humility and deeply prayerful person. His passing away in 2008 after a brief illness saddened the parishioners and in his memory a stone was erected in the Churchyard.

There are other priests who served this Parish as (acting) parish priests over the years who have not been mentioned above, especially during the years of Pastoral Area model was operating until July 10, 2015 when Fr. Jerri Dias SJ was appointed Parish Priest by His Lordship Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB.

The first recorded baptism took place 2 October 1955 of Rawle John Benn and was administered by Fr. Alfred Ellis SJ. The first recorded Sacrament of Marriage of Alfred Piggott and Caroline Weekes was performed on 24^th June 1956 at the then called the Catholic Church Campbellville, which was in the marriage district of Plaissance in the County of Demerara. Fr. Britt Compton SJ witnessed this marriage.

Ever since, the Church of St. Teresa’s has been growing leaps and bounds with the help of committed laity in the parish. There used to be three Masses on Sundays in the early 1960’s, namely, 6:30am, 8:00am and 6pm. Currently, the parish has two Masses on Sundays; 8am and 6pm. There are different ministries have been active since its inception, such as, Ladies of Charity, Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Youth, Liturgy, Extraordinary Minsters of the Holy Communion, Choir, Decoration, and Catechism. This way the Church has been actively involved in promoting our faith in the area. In 1969, there was the Adoration Society in the parish. This was to encourage different persons and families to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. A small form this was reintroduced again in the parish when we have half hour adoration every Friday in the Church. The parish has been able to reach out to the people of Sophia especially Fr. Jerri Dais, along with a few parishioners have been celebrating Mass in the Sophia Housing Scheme every third Sunday of the Month. This is not enough because the needs in this area is mammoth since, Sophia contains juvenile detention centre and Sophia care home.

Presently, the Church of St. Teresa’s is known as ‘garden church’ because of its lush green garden and eye soothing flowers in the Churchyard. The parish has committed Parish Council. Mr Gavin Agard is the coordinator of the Council. We have about 97 children attending the Sunday school and are staffed by committed teachers.

Compiled by;

Fr. Jerri Dias SJ

St. Teresa’s Church

Source: Letter and Notices (Fr. Britt’s memoirs)

A brief History of the Church of the Holy Rosary

Baptism, marriage, and other records of the Parish