The battle to save what is left of the historical Greyfriars Church of Scotland, in downtown Port-of-Spain, took a new twist with the State moving to acquire it under the National Trust as a heritage site. The move came even as the building continues to deteriorate, with its roof caving in on Monday, and the rubble in the yard providing a breeding ground for the aedes aegypti mosquito—which spreads the dengue and chikungunya viruses.
Although the gates to the property are locked, homeless people now occupy the premises at night, according to employees at nearby stores. The building’s owner, Alfred Galy, now has to provide the Port-of-Spain City Corporation with a detailed plan of how he intends to clear the site and preserve the facade of the church. Workmen previously expressed concern that the roof of the church hall contained asbestos—a potentially hazardous material.
The corporation took Galy to court after he demolished the church hall and began tearing down the church last November. The corporation obtained an injunction preventing him from continuing the demolition. That legal matter came up for hearing in the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday and the injunction remains in force until January 16.
Chief Building Inspector at the corporation Deoraj Ramtahal said yesterday that following the court hearing, Galy and his attorneys accompanied him and other officials to the site. Galy said yesterday that though he retained ownership of the building, he had been restricted from carrying out any clearing work because of the injunction.
He said only yesterday he received an advisory from the Ministry of Health about ensuring his business premises were clean—in order to stem the spread of the dengue and chikungunya viruses. “It is in the middle of the city. We have debris accumulating and water as well, but they are telling me not to do anything. It’s dangerous and could crumble anytime.”
Noting the roof had collapsed, Galy said, “The wall on the southern side could crumble anytime. The only part that is stable is the western-facing wall, where the steeple is,” Galy said. Galy said the resultant health issues also needed to be addressed quickly.
Executive secretary of the non-governmental organisation Citizens for Conservation, Michele Celestine, said yesterday the demolition work “put everything at risk.”
However, she was happy that discussions were continuing with Galy as to how the remaining structure could be preserved. Celestine said Government was concerned about retaining some aspect of that building in the new structure.
Notice of National Trust
In a notice published in the Gazette on December 8, 2014, the Council of the National Trust stated its intention to list the Greyfriars Church of Scotland as a heritage site. The church is to be named as part of the Woodford Square Historical District. The notice was signed by chairman of the National Trust Prof Winston Suite.
The notice describes the site as “Two contiguous parcels of land in the City of Port of Spain comprising 1,791.1 square metres on which are located the Greyfriars Church and Hall, numbered 50 and 52 Frederick Street, Port of Spain. Bounded on the north by 54 Frederick Street, on the south by 48 Frederick Street, 66 and 68 Prince Street, on the east by 52, 53, 55 and 57 Henry Street.”
MORE INFO
Contacted yesterday, National Diversity Minister Rodger Samuel confirmed that discussions were continuing with Galy. However, he declined to comment on the roof collapsing and the structural stability of the remaining building.
The church hall was completely demolished on November 30, while the northern wall of the church and half of the roof were also taken down.The eastern, western and southern walls remained standing, exposed to the elements, as workmen were prevented from entering the site due to an injunction secured by the corporation to prevent any further work.