A section of the fire-damaged building

The new St. Peter’s College, originally Bishop’s Lodge and formerly Deaconess House, at 4 Caledonia Avenue, Kingston 5, was destroyed by fire this morning (August 11). Furniture, fixtures and the library housed in the complex were all lost in the blaze which started at approximately 3.00 a.m. Estimates of the damage are still to be determined. 

The fire was confined to the original structure, so the annex, lunch room, kitchen and chapel were not affected.

In a circular to Clergy and Church Workers, Diocesan Secretary, the Rev. Denzil Barnes, explained that the official opening of the building, which was recently refurbished, was scheduled for later this year. It was being re-named St. Peter’s College, in memory of the former Jamaica Church Theological College. It was proposed that the newly-revived College would offer lectures and short courses for lay persons, as well as programmes for the renewal of clergy.

A specialized library comprising literature on Anglican history, doctrine, philosophy and social teaching, religious material written by or about Jamaican or West Indian authors, materials on Caribbean Spirituality, as well as Black, Liberation and Third World Religion and Theology, was also being developed as a centre-piece of the new facility.

Rev. Barnes noted that “It is our intention to revive this Project because of the importance of training at all levels in the Diocese. We will update you in due course on our plans for the Project,” he said.