Information
Landmark: Gilbert Memorial Methodist ChapelCity: St Johns
Country: Antigua and Barbuda
Continent: North America
Gilbert Memorial Methodist Chapel, St Johns, Antigua and Barbuda, North America
Overview
The Gilbert Memorial Methodist Chapel stands in the heart of Parham, a quiet village along Antigua’s north coast where the sea breeze drifts through its old wooden doors.This modest chapel, with its worn wooden pews, holds deep ties to the Methodist faith and has long played a meaningful role in the life of the local community.They named the chapel to honor the Reverend, whose voice once echoed through its wooden rafters.John Gilbert stood out as a key voice in Antigua’s Methodist history, his sermons once echoing through the wooden pews of the island’s old chapel.Highlights of the Gilbert Memorial Methodist Chapel, from its tall arched windows to the warm glow of its polished oak pews.The chapel takes its name from Rev., whose legacy still echoes in its weathered stone walls.John Gilbert, an early Methodist missionary in Antigua, was instrumental in founding the island’s Methodist Church in the early 19th century.The Gilbert Memorial Methodist Chapel was built to honor his work and lasting impact on the faith in Antigua and across the Caribbean.For generations, it’s been a gathering place for worship and community life.Designed in a traditional colonial style common to Methodist churches of the era, the chapel is simple yet graceful, with a small, welcoming sanctuary and cool wooden walls crafted using time‑honored Caribbean building methods.Carefully maintained, it still holds its historic charm.Today, it serves a devoted local congregation, hosting regular services, special celebrations, and neighborhood events, keeping alive the Methodist presence that has shaped much of Antigua’s spiritual heritage.You’ll find it in Parham, a northern coastal village near the calm waters of Parham Harbour.It’s about a 15–20 minute drive from the island’s capital, St. John’s, and roughly 25 minutes from VC Bird International Airport-just enough time to notice the salty breeze through the open window.You can reach the chapel quickly by car, pulling right up beside its old wooden doors.From St. John’s, visitors can follow the main roads to Parham, where the chapel stands at the heart of the quiet village.Because it sits right in the village, you can reach it from the main road with just a quick stroll past the old stone well.Just minutes from Parham Harbour, once a bustling trading port where wooden masts creaked in the breeze, you can take in calm waters and postcard-worthy views before heading to Indian Town Point, where jagged rocks meet turquoise surf-a perfect spot for photos or a quiet walk.About 25 minutes away, Nelson’s Dockyard invites you to wander through its UNESCO-listed buildings, explore small museums, and soak up sweeping harbor vistas.In the heart of Parham, the Gilbert Memorial Methodist Chapel stands as both a serene retreat and a living piece of Antigua’s Methodist story, blending colonial-era architecture with its enduring role as a community gathering place and offering visitors a deeper connection to the island’s religious and cultural past.
