It is said that Jamaica has the largest number of churches per square mile.

Church attendance is entwined in Jamaica’s culture and many persons maintain membership in more than one church. Freedom of worship has facilitated the mushrooming of churches. Since 1972, six hundred new churches have been given permission to operate in Jamaica.

The Cathedral Church Of St. Jago De La Vega was built in the second half of the seventeenth century. This Anglican Cathedral is the ‘Mother Church’ of the Diocese of Jamaica and has memorial plaques with very interesting readings, on many important personalities in Jamaica, some of whom are buried there. All parishes in Jamaica have beautiful Parish Churches.

The Jewish Synagogue “Shaangare Shalom” is the only synagogue in Jamaica. Some of its members are descendants of the Spanish and Portugese Jews who came to Jamaica. The Ark contains 13 scrolls of the Law from former synagogues through Jamaica. On either side of the Ark, two lights burn perpetually symbolising the unity here of the Ashkenazi and Sephardic congregations.

Mizpah Moravian Church, located in Manchester was built in 1854. The first three Moravian Missionaries arrived in Jamaica on December 9,1754. The Moravians have been intricately involved in Education, Health- Care and the Spiritual life of the Jamaican population . They have several churches and Teacher Training Colleges in Jamaica

The Baptist Church was founded by an American slave, George Liele, who arrived in Jamaica in 1782. Liele had no formal theological training but was an outstanding preacher and was ordained in the USA. The Baptist in Jamaica played a significant role in the Emancipation of slaves. They have churches throughout the country.

Holy Trinity Cathedral (Roman Catholic).

The history of this Cathedral is a lesson on the life of the churches in Jamaica-one of trials and successes. Built by a Spanish merchant in 1811, the congregation was led by a Portuguese Priest and the congregation of a multilingual one consisting of Spanish, French, Dutch, English, Irish and Jamaicans. The Holy Trinity Church was later replaced by the present Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Roman Catholic Church is to be found throughout the country and is actively involved in social work, healthcare and education.