In recent weeks, St Mary-the-Virgin Anglican Church in Warwick, Bermuda, has been marking its 400th (quadricentennial) anniversary with special services and commemorative events. These celebrations culminated on 4 October with a rededication service, which gathered distinguished guests, clergy and parishioners.

The service of rededication was led by the Revd (Father) Carl Williams, Priest-in-Charge of St Mary’s, and the sermon was delivered by the Rt Revd Philip Wright, Primate of the Church in the Province of the West Indies and Bishop of Belize, who visited Bermuda to join the celebration with his wife, Mrs Carla Suite Wright.

A letter from Buckingham Palace was read at the service by Fr Carl from Joshua Puls MVO, Assistant Private Secretary to His Majesty The King, relaying King Charles III’s ‘warmest congratulations’ on the occasion of the anniversary.

The letter said, ‘His Majesty greatly admires this remarkable milestone, marking four centuries of faith, service and community in Bermuda. The church's enduring presence is a tribute to the generations of clergy and parishioners whose dedication and commitment have sustained its ministry and strengthened its place at the heart of the community.

‘As St Mary's marks this significant anniversary, The King recognises all those who have contributed to the life of the parish over the centuries and helped shape its rich history. His Majesty sends his very best wishes for the celebrations and hopes they will be a source of pride and joy for the entire parish community.’

Other dignitaries also attended the service, including the Governor of Bermuda, Andrew Murdoch CMG CVO (who delivered the letter from Buckingham Palace), the Premier of Bermuda, the Hon E David Burt JP MP, Opposition Leader Ben Smith, Deputy Premier, the Hon Zane DeSilva JP MP, as well as other senior politicians and officials. The event also featured the Bermuda Regiment Band and the Warwick Gombeys, a traditional dance and drum troupe.

A commemorative plaque was installed on the cornerstone of the church, which was blessed by the Rt Revd Nicholas Dill, Bishop of Bermuda, to mark the milestone occasion. It read, ‘In gratitude for four centuries of faithful worship, and in renewed dedication to Christ's mission for generations to come’.

Speaking about the service, a representative from the church said, ‘St Mary’s Anglican Church has played a significant role in the spiritual, cultural and social life of Bermuda for four centuries. The anniversary provides an opportunity to celebrate the church’s enduring witness while reflecting on its rich and complex history.’

In the weeks preceding the rededication service, the church also held other events to honour and celebrate the heritage of the church and the community it serves.

On 13 September, Bishop Nicholas led a dedication service marking the lives of men, women and children of African descent who were buried in the Rubber Tree graveyard in Warwick. Many of those buried there were free and enslaved people whose graves were unmarked and later destroyed during the construction of the Warwick Post Office by the government of the day.

The church also held a special Jazz Vespers on 27 September, which blended Anglican Evensong with elements of jazz. Robert Edwards, a local band leader and organist, along with other musicians, presented hymns in a reflective jazz style, which a spokesperson of the church said created ‘an atmosphere of prayerful calm and musical artistry in the historic sanctuary.’

The Anglican Church in Bermuda

The Church of Bermuda consists of one diocese spanning 186 islands and nine parishes. It is one of five churches which fall directly under the metropolitical and primatial authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, described as ‘extra-provincial’ given that it lies outside the Church of England. 

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory under the British Crown, represented locally by a Governor. There has been an Anglican presence in Bermuda since 1612 and St Mary-the-Virgin Anglican Church was founded in 1626.

More information

See the 400^th anniversary service recording from St Mary-the-Virgin Church.

See the recording of the Jazz Vespers celebrating the 400^th anniversary of St Mary-the-Virgin Anglican Church.

See a recent article on Anglican News about the remembrance service at the Rubber Tree graveyard.