Newmarket church donations help Toronto diocese top $100K for Jamaica hurricane relief

A Newmarket rector said his birth country “looks like the aftermath of a war” following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation in Jamaica.

To help Jamaica rebuild, St. Paul’s Anglican Church raised $18,000 with community support, which was matched in funds by the Anglican Diocese of Toronto through its Bishop’s Appeal for Jamaican Relief and Reconstruction.

St. Paul’s rector Rory Honeyghan said the devastation from October’s Hurricane Melissa was the worst he has ever seen.

Areas in Jamaica that weren’t fully repaired from previous storms were once again destroyed when Hurricane Melissa struck, compounding the country’s disaster toll. Relief funds were sent by the Anglican Diocese of Toronto and distributed through Alongside Hope and its partners, including the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

“My heart is still in Jamaica, and I wanted to see our church extend support to the Jamaican people,” said Honeyghan. “It’s through my desire to assist family and friends back home and help rebuild what was destroyed. From the footage they’re sending me, I’ve never seen such devastation.”

The Category 5 hurricane left many residents homeless, hopeless and traumatized. Honeyghan said the relief fund helps ease the situation, but does not eliminate the suffering. Still, he said he is deeply appreciative of the support efforts.

St. Paul’s congregation member Pauline Jones said the church is no stranger to supporting relief initiatives, both nationally and internationally. Born in England herself, Jones said she feels a personal connection to Jamaica, where her parents were born.

“This is definitely something that pulls at the heart, with people losing everything. It was one of the worst hurricanes,” said Jones. “This is an ongoing process, with funds being used for infrastructure, clothing, food and housing. It takes time.”

St. Paul’s also hosted Jamaica’s consul general, Kurt Davis, in March for a special service focused on supporting hurricane relief efforts following Hurricane Melissa. By the campaign’s end, the community’s efforts, combined with matched funds from the diocese, brought St. Paul’s total contribution to $18,000, helping to raise the Anglican Diocese of Toronto’s overall total to over $100,000.

“It feels really good to have raised this much. I’m proud of the community,” said Honeyghan. “The initiative was supported beyond my expectations, and I thank our community for their efforts. They’re making a world of difference for the people in Jamaica.”

Jones thanked the community and congregation for their contributions to the relief fund. She said staying attuned to fundraising needs is something the church remains committed to going forward.