Denise Reid, Freelance Writer

Violinist Jessica Yapp thrills the audience at With One Voice at the St James Parish Church on Sunday. - photo by Denise Reid

Song and praise, under the theme With one Voice, took centrestage at the St James Parish Church on Sunday, when members and friends of the 233-year-old organisation staged a concert to generate funds for its restoration.

Featuring stellar performances, the cast comprised the likes of Carole Reid, who truly blessed the audience with hauntingly powerful vocals. Reid hit some high notes, and her soul-stirring rendition of I Want Jesus to Walk With Me had the audience in awe. Songs by opera singer and artist Cecil Cooper were also appreciated by the audience.

Feeling obviously comfortable in her home church, singer Karen Smith was like a burst of afternoon sunlight and happily sang Yes, Jesus Loves Me, It All Begins With You, and several other songs. It was her obvious pleasure to be joined by her 13-year-old daughter Courtney for the duo, On my Knees.

Excellent entertainment

Montego Bay's Cornwall College choir provided excellent entertainment and patrons marvelled at how wonderfully they sang and how great it was to see young men engaged in constructive and uplifting pastimes.

Violinist Jessica Yapp provided another show-stopping performance. The 15-year-old, who made her debut playing the violin at age three, played several pieces, some which were clearly difficult.

Built in 1775, the St James Parish Church is considered to be one of the finest churches in Jamaica due to its size and original Georgian architecture.

In 1957, as much as 80 per cent of the church building was destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilding was undertaken immediately. The church (as it stands today) was rededicated in 1959. Ongoing restoration has continued since then.