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The beautiful St. Thomas Parish Church, located in the capital town of Morant Bay. The brick building was constructed in 1865 – the same year as the Morant Bay Rebellion – when the original Church situated at Church Corner was abandoned because of dilapidation. The east wall of the Church has a brick with the date 1865 baked into it.
The beautiful St. Thomas Parish Church, located in the capital town of Morant Bay. The brick building was constructed in 1865 – the same year as the Morant Bay Rebellion – when the original Church situated at Church Corner was abandoned because of dilapidation. The east wall of the Church has a brick with the date 1865 baked into it.

PHOTOS: St. Thomas Parish Church

Strategically located in the heart of Mandeville, the capital town of Manchester, is the St. Mark
Strategically located in the heart of Mandeville, the capital town of Manchester, is the St. Mark's Anglican Church. The majestic stone structure was completed and consecrated in 1820, with the chancel and timber clerestory added later and the tower raised. The building, which serves as the Manchester Parish Church, features classic gothic accents such as the pointed arch doors and window openings, which distinguishes it from other Jamaican churches built at the time. The graves in the churchyard, which include tombs of British soldiers who died from yellow fever, tell the tale of the mix of cultures that make up the Jamaican story. The beautiful and historic building is a national landmark.

PHOTOS: St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Mandeville
JCDC logo.
JCDC logo.

Mayor Encourages Residents of Westmoreland to Take Part in Festivities
National President of the Jamaica Red Cross (JRC), Allasandra Chung (centre) and JRC volunteers share a photo opportunity at the Emancipation and Independence Thanksgiving Church Service held at the Grace Missionary Church in Kingston on Sunday (July 28). A special donation, collected at the church for Hurricane Beryl victims, was handed over to the JRC.
National President of the Jamaica Red Cross (JRC), Allasandra Chung (centre) and JRC volunteers share a photo opportunity at the Emancipation and Independence Thanksgiving Church Service held at the Grace Missionary Church in Kingston on Sunday (July 28). A special donation, collected at the church for Hurricane Beryl victims, was handed over to the JRC.

Patrons Can Make Donations at Festival Events for Hurricane Recovery
The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Logo.
The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Logo.

St. James Residents Urged to Come Out for Emancipendence Celebrations

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The Islington Culture Group performing Jonkonnu.
Culture

Emancipation Jubilee Slated for Seville Heritage Park from July 31 to August 1

The Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) will spearhead Emancipation Jubilee celebrations at the Seville Great House and Heritage Park in St. Ann’s Bay, St. Ann, from Wednesday, July 31 to Emancipation Day, Thursday, August 1. The annual event, which honours the contributions of the African ancestors through song, dance, drumming, drama, food and fashion, will begin at 8:00 p.m. on...
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JCDC Parish Administrator for St. Elizabeth, Kayla Watson.
CultureEntertainment

JCDC Announces Activities for Emancipation/Independence in St. Elizabeth

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has announced several activities in St. Elizabeth to celebrate Emancipation Day on August 1 and Independence Day on August 6. This year marks the 186th anniversary of Jamaica’s Emancipation and the 62nd year of its Independence. Parish Administrator, JCDC, in St. Elizabeth, Kayla Watson, told JIS News that the festivities promise to be both...
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Students from Camperdown High School perform a dance called ‘Flokarama’ during Mello-Go-Round 2023, held at the Independence Village in Kingston.
CultureIndependence

Independence Village at National Indoor Sports Complex from August 3-5

The National Indoor Sports Complex in Kingston will come alive in celebration of Jamaica’s rich culture and heritage at the Independence Village from August 3-5. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, provided details at the National Emancipation and Independence Thanksgiving Church Service held on Sunday (July 28) at Grace Missionary Church in Kingston. While this year’s...
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Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Michael Holness ON, PC, MP.
CultureHurricane Relief & RecoveryIndependence

Independence Activities Scaled Back in Wake of Hurricane Beryl

Activities for Jamaica’s 62nd anniversary of independence will be scaled back this year as the country continues restoration and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. “Recognising the magnitude of Hurricane Beryl’s impact, the decision was taken to modify our plans while keeping the spirit of independence alive,” said Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange....
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Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (second left), looks at the life-size replica of cultural icon, Hon. Louise Bennett Coverley at the grand opening of S Foods Supermarket on Worthington Avenue, St. Andrew on Saturday (July 27). Looking on are Chief Executive Officer of S Foods, Christopher Issa (left); and veteran Reggae artiste, Tony Rebel.
Culture

PHOTOS: Minister Grange Opens S Foods Supermarket

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (second left), looks at the life-size replica of cultural icon, Hon. Louise Bennett Coverley at the grand opening of S Foods Supermarket on Worthington Avenue, St. Andrew on Saturday (July 27). Looking on are Chief Executive Officer of S Foods, Christopher Issa (left); and veteran Reggae artiste, Tony Rebel.
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Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange (right), presents the Jamaica Festival Song trophy to 2024 winner, Kimiela ‘Candy’ Isaacs , who walked away with the coveted trophy for her original entry ‘One Jamaica’. The finals of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) competition took place on July 13, at the Jamaica College Auditorium in Kingston.
Culture

PHOTOS: ‘One Jamaica’ is 2024 Festival Song

Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange (right), presents the Jamaica Festival Song trophy to 2024 winner, Kimiela ‘Candy’ Isaacs , who walked away with the coveted trophy for her original entry ‘One Jamaica’. The finals of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) competition took place on July 13, at the Jamaica College Auditorium in Kingston.
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Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (centre), with the top-10 finalists in this year’s Jamaica Festival Song Competition, during a Presentation Show aired on Television Jamaica on Thursday, June 27. From left are Reggae Maxx, Renzzah, Auraiyah Hope, Lex MD, Pepita, TrishMaq, Casey Donaldson, Sister Novlette, Kimiela “Candy” Isaacs, and Trisstar.
CultureEntertainment

Festival Song Finalists for Results Show on July 13

Ten finalists in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition 2024 will compete at the results show, scheduled to take place at the Jamaica College auditorium, 189 Hope Road, Kingston, on Saturday, July 13, beginning at 8:30 p.m. The show is free and open to the public. The finalists are Auraiya Hope (Proud Jamaican), Sister Novelette (Fi Mi Island Home), TrishMaq (Jamaica...
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