Our History

The Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was organized in 1903. Forty one years later in 1944 that conference was divided in East and West Conference. The West Jamaica Conference then consisted of the following parishes, Clarendon, St. Ann, Manchester, Trelawny, St. Elizabeth, St. James, Westmoreland and Hanover.

In 1962 a further division took place out of which Central Jamaica was created. From a membership of 12,000 in 1962 we now have a membership of over 70,000. From 100 congregations in 1962, to over 220 in 2010. A worker force of under 50 in 1962 to over 160 in 2010.

West Jamaica Conference has two (2) high schools, Harrison Memorial High and Savanna La Mar High, and six (6) primary schools, Bull Savannah, Jointwood, Darliston, Savanna La Mar, March Town and Harrison Memorial Preparatory.

Three significant movements took place in our history. Firstly, the Conference Office, the Adventist Book Centre, Harrison Memorial High School and the Montego Bay Church were all located at Church Street. In 1961 the Harrison Memorial High School moved to 3 Cottage Road.

Secondly, in 1975, the conference successfully negotiated and undertook to purchase twenty two and a half (22½) acres of land at Catherine Hall (Mt. Salem) and the Headquarters was relocated there. In 1998 Harrison again moved this time to Catherine Hall, its permanent home.

Thirdly, the conference also secured eight and a half (8½) acres of land at Treasure Beach in 1993 on which its campsite is now established.