We started with six people in a classroom … and have grown to the point where we now need our own church building. Please listen to our story and decide how you want to help us reach our goal. We operate as a mission station of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk in Nassau, Bahamas. As such, we are self sufficient but our Elders are ordained by the church in Nassau. Together with our sister church, Lucayan Presbyterian in Freeport, Grand Bahama, we are associated with the Presbytery of Tropical Florida and are an overseas charge of the Church of Scotland. Kirk is Gaelic for church.
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Abaco is one of the largest islands in the chain of The Bahamas. It lies 150 miles due east of Palm Beach Florida. There is a permanent population of 18,000 but there are many vacation homeowners, primarily from the United States, Canada and Europe. Many of our regular church attendees live aboard their boats. Abaco is clean and friendly and is the boating and fishing capital of The Bahamas. Marsh Harbour is the main town on Great Abaco Island. The picturesque surrounding cays, or small islands, form the protected Sea of Abaco. We are fully serviced with an airport, marinas and ferry services. |
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Our congregation has developed into a church home for many local Bahamians and a church away from home for our many valued visitors and homeowners. Everyone is assured of a warm welcome at our traditional service and at the fellowship time afterwards. We have a government grant of land near the Marsh Harbour International Airport. On March 16, 2008, we held a ground breaking ceremony. Our goal is to build a modest structure which will accommodate 100 people and provide office, kitchen, and gathering spaces. Bearing in mind our future needs and challenges, we plan to build, and operate, as efficiently as possible. |
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We need your involvement. We are undertaking a very large project for a small congregation. We are working with a local architect and with members of our congregation who are experienced in site preparation, building and project management. Initial improvements, utilities and laying the foundation are expected to be accomplished by end of 2008. From there, we will be actively working to provide walls, the roof, the interior and the landscaping. The building will be built to hurricane code and elevated to defend against flooding. It will be fully wheelchair accessible. Our new church is being designed in a classic Bahamian style. We have set our budget at US$500,000. |
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There are numerous daily flights, and straightforward sea routes, from Florida to Abaco. Someone from our Kirk family will be happy to meet your plane or boat, help you get settled, show you our building site and accompany you to one of our church services. We are actively fund-raising on our own and your assistance would be gratefully received. As well as your financial, or material, donations, your ideas and input are very welcome. We have seen our congregation steadily grow. With our own church building, we expect to generate even more attendance. Thank you for your Christian generosity and prayers of support and encouragement. |
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9AM Sunday Services are held at Forest Heights Academy. Call for a lift!
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| Please send your tax deductible charitable donation to: Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church 3501 San Jose Tampa, Florida 33629 |
Local Contact: Elder Veronica Sawyer Phone: (242) 367-3643 Cell: (242) 357-6638 |