The Editor, Sir:

I read with great interest the article about Skull Point by Robert Lalah. The narrative was quite interesting and kept me smiling throughout the entire piece. The reason for my amusement is that, as a small child growing up in nearby Mile Gully, I would occasionally attend church service at that same church known as Way Pen Church.

I had fond memories of those days back in the late 1960s when the local aristocrats and townsfolk from Mile Gully would periodically attend service together. Back then, it was said that Way Pen church was for the rich plantocracy, while the less-fortunate worshipped at the local church in Mile Gully. As time went on, the population of the aristocracy declined and so did the church. Over time the church was physically stripped of its elegance with its plaques, organ and even its very seats removed.

Paying tribute

The last time I visited the church (about two months ago), there was still one or two plaques on the wall highlighting the contributions of early members of the congregation (mostly of European ancestry). The walls are still strong having stood through multiple storms. The graveyard is still maintained, although not as frequently as in earlier years. My affinity for the church is not limited to boyhood memories, but also complemented by the fact that my revered grandmother was buried at that church in 1972, hence the occasional visit to "check on granny".

Now as to the haunted stories, I cannot comment. I have heard quite a few tales of eerie sounds and ghostly sightings in and around the church. I sometimes wonder if I unwittingly contributed to at least one of those stories.

Some years ago, I, along with Paul Goldson, a pilot colleague at Air Jamaica ventured to Way Pen Church around minutes to midnight to check on work that I had contracted to be done on my grandmother's tomb.

Paul had a very bright flashlight and was quite curious about seeing inside the church. At least two vehicles drove by the entrance to the church and I am convinced that occupants would have being dumbfounded to see bright lights emanating from inside the church in the midnight hours. To this day, Paul and I still talk about that night.

Well, thank you Robert Lalah, for including Way Pen Church in your roving about Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

SEYMOUR ASHLEY KNIGHT

SKnight273@aol.com

Captain, Air Jamaica