The members of Built Heritage Jamaica went on a fully guided historical tour of Guanaboa Vale and Kitson Town. This community holds traces of every key moment of Jamaican history, from the Taino to Jamaican Independence.
About Kitson Town
Kitson Town is one of the first Free Villages in Jamaica, founded on July 3, 1841, on 195 acres of land acquired by Baptist missionary James Phillippo. The town was named after George Kitson who provided the funds and is located in an area previously known as Red Hills, on land that once belonged to Scott’s Hall Estate.
Cudjoe Hill
Our first stop was at Cudjoe Hill. This is the high ground named after the Maroons and it gives a panoramic view of the former St. John Parish.
Guanaboa Vale
Guanaboa Vale, once the capital of St. John Parish, is home to one of the oldest surviving churches in Jamaica. Notable tombs include Richard Guy, who took part in the conquest of Jamaica and died in 1681. The Guy’s Hill community in Jamaica is named after him. We also see Charles Price, one of the early owners of Worthy Park Estate, sugar plantation that operates until this day. There is also the tomb of Whitgift Aylmer, who arrived in Jamaica on 10 May 1655 and became the owner of one of the largest plantations in the area – Aylmer’s Estate.
Aquaduct and the Factory
The remnants of the aqueduct are all that’s left of Lloyd’s Estate, which began operation in 1741. The land is private property today and is still used for sugarcane production. A nearby 19th-century factory and the Old Courthouse are also in the area.
Kitson Town Baptist Church
The Baptist Church played a crucial role in establishing Free Villages across Jamaica, including Kitson Town. Founded in 1945, the present-day Kitson Town Baptist Church stands at the heart of the village and remains in excellent condition.
Red Hills Methodist Church
Rev. Terence Manderson Sherlock was a key figure in the Methodist Church in Jamaica and the father of two prominent Jamaicans. One of his sons, Sir Philip Sherlock, was a distinguished educator and professor at the University of the West Indies, and co- authored the renowned book ‘The Story of the Jamaican People’.
His other son, Rev. Hugh B. Sherlock, wrote Jamaica’s National Pledge and co-authored the National Anthem. Rev. Terence Sherlock’s legacy is honored at Red Hills Methodist Church in Kitson Town, where a cornerstone was laid by his son, Sir Philip Sherlock.
Missed the Tour? No problem, please join our next tour or event by checking our list of Upcoming Events!