CHAPTER VII
MISSIONS IN HAITI

NATURALLY, Port-au-Prince has more Protestant work
than any other city. There are three churches here.
The three denominations having work in diflferent parts
of the republic, the Episcopalians, the Baptists and the
Wesleyan Methodists, are all located here. There is also an
African Methodist Episcopal church in the capital, but they
have no work outside.

Bishop C. B. Colmore, who recently took charge of the
Episcopal work in Haiti, says, concerning the appeal of that
country:

"Here is a magnificent opportunity for the Church to interpret to
these people the true spirit of democracy; to show them that a nation
can go to the assistance of another without hope of selfish gain; that
Christianity is broader and nobler than selfishness, and that brotherly
service can be international. The lesson is sure to have its influence
on the people themselves if the Church is faithful in presenting it.
For the difficulty lies just in the path in which the Church can be
of service. We have said that to other nations Haiti's failure has been
a financial one, but the real trouble deep down under the foundations
is a moral and spiritual one. All other failures of any people can be
traced to this in the end. Here we find the Church's opportunity in
Haiti.

"James Theodore Holly left New Haven, Connecticut, in 1861, and
took a considerable colony of colored people with him, establishing
the Church in Haiti. His work was successful and a good following
was built up among the people. He became the first bishop in 1874,
which office he occupied until his death in 1911. Bishop Holly's own
work was in the city of Port-au-Prince, where at different times
two large and handsome church buildings were constructed, both
of which were destroyed by fire. Holy Trinity Church is at the
present time using a temporary structure. Recently a large piece of
property has been purchased in the heart of the city, which is large
enough for the church, a school building, parish house and rector all
together. It is a splendid property, and we expect to rebuild the
church.

"Under Bishop Holly's direction work was carried on in different
parts of the country, of which there remains today work in five sec¬
tions of the republic. Of these, the most interesting to me is that
section in the mountains of Leogane, part of the peninsula on the
south which runs out westward toward Cuba. Under the direct
ministrations of the Reverend Alexandre Battiste and his predecessor,
the Reverend J. J. Constant, a large body of Church people has been

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