New Custos of St. Catherine to Be Installed June 11

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, will install Rev. the Hon. Jeffery McKenzie, JP, Pastor of the Phillippo Baptist Church in Spanish Town, as Custos Rotulorum for the parish of St. Catherine, on Thursday, June 11. The ceremony will be held at the National Police College in St. Catherine, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The function is open to the public and guests are asked to be seated by 1:30 p.m. Rev. McKenzie was appointed Custos on February 16, following the retirement of Rev. the Hon Sophia Azan, CD, JP, who served as Custos of the parish from 2003 until earlier this year.

A dedicated Christian for over 40 years, Rev. McKenzie has served as the pastor of the Phillippo Baptist since 1995 and President of the Jamaica Baptist Union for three years. He has been a Justice of the Peace since 1997, and has also served as Chaplin of the Spanish Town Police Station, member of the Spanish Town Peace Management Committee and member of the Local Public Accounts Committee at the St. Catherine Parish Council. Under his leadership, the Baptist Church in Spanish Town established a School of Continuing Education, and expanded its Skills Training Programme in conjunction with HEART Trust/NTA. As Custos, Rev. McKenzie will be the representative of the Governor-General in St. Catherine, and as part of his responsibilities, he will serve as Chief Magistrate for the parish, and ensure that there are sufficient JPs to serve the Petty Sessions Court and communities throughout St. Catherine.

In preparation for the installation of the new Custos, all JPs for the parish of St. Catherine are being asked to sign the Magistrates Roll, at the Phillippo Baptist Church, 9 William Street, Spanish Town by Monday, June 8 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.