Our Journey

Grace Reformed Baptist Church was established somewhere around January 1970 it started at 77 Three views Avenue Kingston 10, just above the Calabar High School off Red Hills Road. It was around the year 1973, the church had its relocation to 33 Red Hills Road: its present location. Its founder, the late Oscar G. Bloise, his wife Dolores Bloise and their son Orville St. George Bloise, along with brother Roy Archer and his three children Marcia, Junior, and Annette. The Bloise's daughter, Dee Ann Bloise, became a part of the family in 1971, the year she was born.

The congregation purchased its first building at 33 Red Hills Road, a modest 2,400 square foot facility that had previously housed a Methodist congregation. The building included a 150-seat sanctuary, three classrooms, and a small fellowship hall.

There was a marked numerical and spiritual growth in the life of the church because it was during that period that as a church, we started to attend the Moorlands Camp annually, but also as a church, we would have had times when we would invite our friends to have Fellowship with us over a meal by paying for their meals as there would be caterers. We would invite an outside speaker to share the word as a way of evangelizing as with these interactions the fellowship became stable, people became more interested in becoming a part of the fellowship.

The church was regularly encouraged by visits from overseas ministry partners, including Pastor Walt Chantry from their sending church in Pennsylvania and associates from Pastor Albert Martin’s church in California. Locally, Pastor Zach Williams, founder of Faith Missionary Baptist Church, became a trusted friend known for his powerful prayer life and uplifting presence. During this period, Brother A. Francis Sr. also became involved, and both men frequently preached when Pastor Bloise was away on overseas ministry duties.

In the late 1970s, the church fostered a vibrant youth group passionate about table tennis and volleyball, featuring players like the Linton and Mattis brothers. While their energy in sports was high, it did not fully translate to spiritual growth. To strengthen fellowship, the church organized summer trips to Turtle Tower Beach and other local beaches, involving parents to build deeper connections. Though few conversions resulted, attendance increased, and the church prepared for the groundbreaking of its current building as it approached the 1980s.

The church’s new building was dedicated in December 1980, attracting many new visitors. In 1981, Sister Imogene Martin joined, supporting early church activities. The youth, led by Georgette Walters, became highly active and influential, strengthening both the local and wider Independent Baptist fellowship. Over time, however, the church’s fellowship declined as many long-standing members migrated overseas to the U.S., England, Canada, and other countries.

In the mid-1980s, several families, including the Francis, Wilson, Dennis, Nicholson, and Chung families, joined the church, strengthening the congregation. In 1986, Pastor Rudolph Redoneus Francis and his family became part of the ministry, bringing faithful leadership, wisdom, and encouragement. Known as Pastor Francis Snr, he played a key role in preaching the gospel and guiding members, contributing significantly to the church’s spiritual growth until his passing on October 21, 1995.

In the summer of 1989, a team of Bible teachers and missionaries from our parent church, Grace Baptist Church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, travelled to Jamaica to launch a daily Vacation Bible School for children in the local community. The program was well-received, attracting over 70 children ranging from early childhood to high school age. This initiative helped our Sunday school classes, from beginners to junior high, to flourish. During this time, the church also began to embrace missionary sponsorship by welcoming young, vibrant pastors like Gerard “Dougie” Douglas from Grenada and Marcus Couchman from Guyana to serve as interns.

In the early 1990s, a revival revitalized the church, attracting many young people who became active members. This growth led to fundraising events, youth fellowship activities, and several new families joining. Evangelical crusades in 1991 inspired conversions, baptisms, and deeper commitment. Young members took on leadership and ministry roles, while Rev. Patrick Harrison joined in 1993 as Assistant Pastor, supporting teaching, youth leadership, and home Bible studies until 1996. The church also supported local missions, including mentoring Rev. Leroy Thompson, fostering spiritual growth and expanding outreach locally and beyond.

In 1995, the church saw major developments, including construction of the Educational Building and installation of water tanks. The Ingathering initiative began, and an entertainment committee expanded from the Ladies Fellowship. Sunday school grew, offering five age-based classes and launching the Daily Vacation Bible School. The church also sponsored intern pastors, such as Gerard “Dougie” Douglas from Grenada and Marcus Couchman from Guyana. Members like Douglas Laughton, Newton Beckles, Roland Smith, and Boysie Williams, mentored by Pastor Sidney Beckles, actively preached and shared the gospel, contributing to the church’s spiritual growth and ministry development.

In 1997, Russell Job Umandap came to Jamaica for work and joined Grace Reformed Baptist Church, quickly becoming active in its activities. He later studied at Toronto Baptist Seminary and returned in 2002 with his wife, Joelle, serving as assistant pastor for two years. From 2004 to 2007, he led as pastor, focusing on spiritual and numerical growth, fiscal responsibility, and preparing the church for local leadership. During this time, the church launched the “Renewing Your Mind” radio broadcast on TBC Radio, hosted by O’Neil B. Thomas, with Pastor Umandap as the primary preacher and teacher.

Grace Reformed Baptist Church grew with support from pastors in Jamaica and abroad under founding pastor Oscar G. Bloise. In 2008, Boysie Albourne Williams was ordained as the first deacon, and later became pastor in 2015. After Pastor Bloise’s passing in 2016, Pastor Williams continued as Senior Pastor. The church has been strengthened by dedicated servants, including Deacon Steven S. Quamber, Assistant Pastor Franklyn G. Jacques (since 2023), and Deacon O’Neil B. Thomas, reflecting ongoing leadership and ministry continuity.