When Belmopan became the new capital city of Belize following the devastation of hurricane Hattie in October 1961, the new city began to slowly emerge on cleared land. The Anglican community began to hold services on the on-site dining facility from 1968. On February 27, 1969, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Revd. Dr. Michael Ramsey, visited Belize and laid the corner stone for an Ecumenical Center. In 1970, the growing Anglican community began temporarily worshiping in the then newly built Belmopan Comprehensive School. The following year the new Ecumenical Center at Independence Park was completed and was shared by Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and Methodists as a worship Center.
As Belmopan grew, so did the membership of these three denominations. The Roman Catholics opened their own church building in 1985, followed by the Methodists who moved into their own premises in 1991. In April 1992, the Ecumenical Center was consecrated and named St. Ann’s Anglican by the Right Revd. Brother Desmond Smith SSF, Bishop of Belize.
Over subsequent years, the physical structure of the building became seriously affected by termite and wood eating pests so that renovation was necessary. An ambitious building fund appeal was launched by Revd. Smiling in 1999, in which the congregation became enthusiastically involved. While the building refurbishment was taking place, church services were held in the Anglican Training Institute, adjacent to St. Ann’s. The church building was substantially upgraded and beautified, to the honour and glory of God.
St. Ann’s was rededicated by the Rt. Revd. Sylvester Romero Palma, D.D., Bishop of Belize. The priest -in-charge was Revd. Robert Sutherland. On Saturday September 15, 2002, St. Ann’s Church continued to grow in strength. The parish has been served by a series of priests, including Revd. Lloyd Neal (R.I.P.), Revd. Ilona Smiling, Canon Philip Wright (now Bishop), Revd. Beatrice Gill (R.I.P.), and Revd. Cortez Nurse.
July 26, is the feast day of Anne and Joachim, believed to be the parents of Mary and maternal grandparents of Jesus. Little is known about Mary’s background but it seemed certain that she was brought up in a devout Jewish household in the Second Temple period. She may have been of Davidic decent, a claim made of Joseph, her husband, in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 1. Her family and community would have hoped for the coming of God’s Kingdom and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Mosaic promises. Some early sources, including the Joachim and H(ann)ah, incorporating stories based on the Old Testament narratives of the births of Isaac and Samuel.
Each July, we at St. Ann’s celebrate St. Ann’s Patronal Festival as the anniversary of our church, when we give thanks to God for the fulfillment of His promises in Jesus and His faithfulness throughout all generations.
