Inmates restore Grace Methodist church

Earlier today the Minister of Public Safety, the Hon. Michael Dunkley, JP, MP, highlighted the recent restoration works to the Grace Methodist which were completed by inmates from the Ferry Reach Prison Farm facility.

Over the past four months, the more than 100-year-old North Shore church had extensive renovations done, which included refurbished pews and walls and a completely reconstructed wooden floor. Eight to 12 inmates from the east end correctional facility conducted works which ranged from carpentry to masonry to painting.

Minister Dunkley, who commended the inmates’ efforts, said, “We recognise the fact that our Island has its share of challenges, but, we also recognise that we can cure our challenges by working together, and this community service project is one such example of coming together for a worthwhile cause. I am especially heartened because Grace Methodist Church is steeped in more than 100 years of history – and this is the type of community involvement that we feel that our inmates can benefit from.”

Commissioner of Corrections, Col. Edward Lamb added, “This venture represents another opportunity for the Department of Corrections to give back to the community. We have inmates, both men and women, who have tremendous talent and what you see today is a result of that hard work and talent. Each of them brought different skills to this project and this is what can happen when we work together to give back to the community.”

And in a letter of thanks to Commissioner Lamb, Dr. Gerard Bean, Chairman of Grace Methodist Church’s Sanctuary, Parsonage and Grounds Committee expressed his appreciation, saying, “Our most sincere and heartfelt thanks for the expert and professional manner that your entire team employed in carrying out the works at the church. Without the Department of Corrections’ assistance these manifestly, necessary and critical renovations would not have been possible. We at Grace Methodist Church are aware that it was a ‘team’ that worked on the church and we are also conscious of the fact that this exercise was an integral part of rehabilitation programme for the inmates.”