Morton Memorial Presbyterian Church

About us

Our History

The Morton Memorial Presbyterian Church was established in 1898 by Dr John Morton. Reverend John Morton, a Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, Canada, came to Trinidad to recuperate from illness. During his stay, he visited sugar estates and seeing the East Indian Community about 20,000,  in a state of neglect, he returned to Canada and asked his Church to initiate a mission to these people. He offered himself as the pioneer of such a mission. The Canadian Church accepted the challenge. On January 6th, 1868, Reverend Morton, his wife and infant daughter arrived in Trinidad. Morton then began the work of developing the Presbyterian Church in Trinidad, focusing on the Indian indentured laborers in Trinidad. The first mission was at Iere Village on the western outskirts of Princes Town and in time spread throughout Trinidad. 
 

Rev. Morton assisted by Mr. Paul Bhukan found key locations for many early churches and helped establish the first congregation at Guaico. William Benjamin who had a bakery in Guaico and others in the community assisted Dr. John Morton, to erect the Morton Memorial Presbyterian Church and the Guaico Presbyterian School.

The present church at Guaico was built in 1912. Rev. Morton never got to see the completed church building at Guaico as he died earlier that year. The Church was named in memory of this great missionary. This historic building has the distinction of being one of the few remaining original buildings from Morton's era and underwent a restoration in 1992 maintaining the building's architecture. 

The Morton Memorial Church has always had a vibrant and influential congregation with many of its members making valuable contributions in the wider Trinidad and Tobago society.

Morton Memorial's faithful service and work continue to this day. The worship style is in the classic reformed tradition with familiar hymns sung all over the world. Occasionally a hindi bhajan is incorporated into the worship (as was done when Rev. Morton was reaching out to the hindi speaking indian labourers). We welcome anyone wanting to hear God's message at our weekly Sunday Service at 10 am or join us in fellowship at any of our other activities.