The population of Belize in 1812 was only about 4,000 persons, most of whom were slaves brought from Jamaica to work in the logwood and mahogany camps. The slaves’ memorial in Belize is St. John’s Cathedral, for it was the slaves who built the church, and the oral traditions continue to talk about “backing the bricks” from the Court House Wharf to build St. John’s. The work of building St. John’s was under the supervision of the Superintendent of Works, two masons, one of whom was Thomas Barnes, whose grave is in the Yarborough Cemetery.

The slave baptism and burial registers which remain in the possession of St. John’s are some of the most valuable historical documents in the country. From 1812-1817 over 200 slave baptisms are recorded, mostly during the Christmas season when there would have been a holiday from the woodcutting camps. The names of the slaves, with the names of their ‘Owners’ are still preserved. Those who were freeborn are registered separately. The first existing register for the freeborn dates from 1814 with the name of John Belisle whose father is referred to as a ‘free black.’ The oldest register dates from 1794.

In 1838, on the first day of August, there was a Public Service of Thanksgiving held in St. John’s for the emancipation of slavery. The sermon on this historic occasion was delivered by Dr. Matthew Newport, the well-known Rector of St. John’s from 1824-1860. Dr. Newport’s long and influential ministry had witnessed the days of slavery as well as the results of Emancipation. His grave is on the Northside of the Cathedral with a plaque commemorating his ministry near the Sanctuary Arch. Emancipation was a turning point in the history of the nation and here in St. John’s was the scene of this early drama which was to affect both Church and Nation.

Pictured above: "The Descending Dove", a work by a modern Belizean artist, which can be found in the Cathedral's baptistry.