Christians in Grenada lose homes, church building to Hurricane Beryl

As Hurricane Beryl made its way toward Mexico on July 4, Christians across the Caribbean began the long task of damage assessment and recovery.

Two days earlier, the Category 4 hurricane devastated the island of Carriacou, population 9,600, which is part of the nation of Grenada.

Chrispin Hosten

“In half an hour, Carriacou was flattened,” Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said in a news briefing.

Chrispin Hosten ministers for a Church of Christ on Carriacou that has about 30 in attendance on Sundays. He sent The Christian Chronicle images from the island that show near-total devastation.

“The whole island (lies in) destruction,” he said. “The members are in need of food, water and clothing.”

The church’s white, two-story building lost its roof, and most of the church’s members lost roofs or entire homes, Hosten said.

The meeting place of the Carriacou Church of Christ lost its roof and sustained damage as Hurricane Beryl swept across the island.

Churches of Christ in Grenada and other parts of the Caribbean are collecting aid for Carriacou, said Ossafa Gordon, minister for the Grand Anse Church of Christ on Grenada’s main island. Healing Hands International also is collecting funds for relief.

As it headed west from Grenada, Beryl ripped along the southern coast of Jamaica. Church members including Gladwyn Kiddoe, director of the Jamaica School of Preaching and Biblical Studies in Kingston, are assessing damage and needs. The storm also was expected to affect the Cayman Islands.

Damaged homes and downed trees can be seen across the island of Carriacou after Hurricane Beryl.

Church members survey hurricane damage on the island of Carriacou.

Hurricane Beryl tore off roofs and soaked the interior of homes across Carriacou.

Carriacou, population 9,600, sustained major damage from Hurricane Beryl.

This is a continuing story. Check back for updates.

Filed under: Caribbean Christianity Churches of Christ in the Caribbean disaster relief East Caribbean Grenada Healing Hands International helping hurricane victims Hurricane Hurricane Beryl Hurricane caribbean International Top Stories