Truro Worship Pauses As They May Lose Church

Pastor David Brown and his vibrant congregation built community within Chapel on the Pond in Truro — but now  the sale of the building has this largely Jamaican faith community on the verge of losing its physical home.

What is The Chapel On The Pond?

Pastor David Brown first stepped through the doors at the Chapel On The Pond in 2017, a century after it was built. Pastor Brown fell in love with the church, and when asked if he would like to become its new pastor, he made the church his new home. The congregation was small, but the handful of churchgoers would soon grow to a full house foot stomping, dancing and singing parishioners. Every Sunday the music spills over to the quiet and narrow Pond Road. Everyone is welcome to join this mostly Jamaican faith community. That is, if it will still be there after the end of March.

Why is The Chapel On The Pond Closing?

The owners are selling the church, giving Pastor Brown an initial notice period of 30 days to leave. At the end of March the time is up, and with no new home in sight Pastor Brown is still working hard to find a new place of worship whilst keeping his congregation calm. It affects all of the parishioners, he says. Everyone feels hurt and disappointed. What really concerns them, says Pastor Brown, is the short amount of time they were given to prepare for such a move. It sort of struck us real hard, says Pastor Brown.

What Will Happen To The Church?

Community efforts are underway to try and save the church, but nothing is certain yet. In the meantime, the parishioners keep stomping, dancing and singing their hallelujahs so everyone on Pond Road can hear they may be without a home, but their faith is not going anywhere. As the words they are singing loudly hand in hand: The best is yet to come.