Members of the Cobbs Hill Methodist Church met with members of the Metropolitan United Methodist Church, Maryland.

The Metropolitan United Methodist Church group was in Bermuda on a trip organised by Joyce Hayward of Rejoyce Travels through the African Diaspora Heritage Trail tour conducted by Maxine Esdaille, one of the directors on the ADHT Bermuda Foundation Board.

Although the overseas group felt it was important to visit the Cobbs Hill Methodist Church because of the spiritual connection — both a part of the Methodist movement and a cultural connection — and the fact that the churches have members that are primarily of African descent.

In a press release, ADHT stated: “The group was especially impressed with the original components of the church that are still in evidence, especially the balcony and the bell tower.

“The church was built during 1825 and 1827 by enslaved persons and freemen of colour during their off time from their daily work schedules. Many of the original families’ descents remain members of the Church today.”

The group, which was staying at the Grotto Bay Hotel, started the tour at Great Head Park in St David’s at the Lost At Sea memorial.

The statement continued: “With lots of emphasis this year on our maritime history and heritage, making this a first stop was appropriate. It also gave them a great vista of the Bermuda coast. The tour then made its way to St George’s and then all the way to Dockyard with that important stop at Cobbs Hill Methodist in Warwick.”

The final stop of the tour was in Dockyard where the members were scheduled to have lunch and a visit to the National Museum of Bermuda before they took the ferry back to St George’s. The group is scheduled to leave today.