Bethesda, Antigua and Barbuda

Bethesda
Bethesda
Village
	Bethesda in June 2023
	Bethesda
	Coordinates: 17°03′N61°45′W / 17.050°N 61.750°W
Country	Antigua and Barbuda
Island	Antigua
Civil parish	Saint Paul
Area
• Total	1.62 km2 (0.63 sq mi)
Elevation	12 m (39 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	499
• Density	308/km2 (800/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-4 (AST)

Last updated March 12, 2024

Bethesda is a village in Saint Paul Parish on the island of Antigua, in Antigua and Barbuda.

Geography

Bethesda is found on Willoughby Bay, which is a wide bay on the east coast of the island's southern peninsula. The terrain flattens out and extends inland to the northeast, eventually reaching the Central Plain, which is the island's core plain. The hills of Monks Hill may be found to the southwest, and they border both Falmouth Bay and English Harbour. The region is primarily agricultural and has a low population density.

The settlement, which has a population of exactly 499 people in 2011, may be found along the route that leads from St. Phillip's Parish in the southeastern part of Antigua to English Harbour.

The Bethesda Dam is located in the interior and is the second largest dam in the country, behind the Potworks Dam, which is located around 2 kilometers to the north. One of the largest remaining mangrove stands on the island is located at the Christian Cove wetland, which is located on the shore.

History

The Methodists, who first arrived in Antigua in 1760 and began spreading their religion throughout the island, established a school for the employees of the Blake estate in 1812.^[1] It was the very first school in the West Indies to be constructed specifically for enslaved people.^[2] The pastoral care center saw an increase in patients following the abolition of slavery in 1834, which led to the establishment of a new location.^[3] In the beginning, the congregation and chapel were situated in Bridgetown, which is located on Willoughby Bay. In the year 1841, the mission relocated to Bethesda, which gets its name from the new church in recognition of the Bethesda Garden.^[1] Willoughby Bay was a hamlet in Antigua that was abandoned in 1843 after an earthquake.^[1] The people who lived there migrated to Freetown, which was at the time the most prominent freed-village on the island of Antigua.^[1] Some of them also moved to Bethesda.^[1] Even as early as 1847, the church underwent expansion, and in 1871, a new church that also included a school was constructed.^[1] The Methodists ran the classes until 1962, when a state school was founded. The current church building, which is a sturdy structure "dedicated to the glory of God," was constructed in 1975.^[1]

In addition, Bethesda was a significant player in the development of the early labor movement throughout history. In this location in January of 1951, the workers of the sugar cane industry engaged in a labor dispute with a major landowner named Alexander Moody-Stuart over their wages. Vere Cornwall Bird, who had previously served as the first prime minister of the independent state of Antigua and Barbuda, delivered the speech from which the winged term "to eat mussels and Widdy-Widdy and drink pond water" originates. In the event that there was nothing to eat as a result of the strike, we would sip pond water. At the time of the slaves, there was often excess bread lying around the Bethesda area, and anyone could take it. It has been exactly one year since the workers went on strike and successfully pushed for greater wages. In the shade of the unassuming Tamarind tree, which still stands today but is significant in the annals of the nation's history, the terms were initially developed.^[4]

Nowadays, the location is home to a medical facility, an elementary school, and congregations of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and Americas,^[1] the Church of God Antigua (Bethesda Zion Church, which was established in 1951),^[5] and the St. John's Pentecostal Church (1950s).^[6]

Enumeration districts

71400 Bethesda-East^[7]
71500 Bethesda-West^[7]

Bethesda-East has a population of 291, and is 97.45% Afro-Antiguan, and 0.89 square kilometres. Bethesda-East shares boundaries with Saint Philip Parish.^[8] Bethesda-West has a population of 208, and is 94.90% Afro-Antiguan, and 0.73 square kilometres.^[8]

Demographics

Census data (2011)

Source:^[9]

Q48 Ethnic	Counts	%
African descendent	481	96.38%
East Indian/India	3	0.64%
Mixed (Black/White)	1	0.21%
Mixed (Other)	10	1.91%
Don't know/Not stated	4	0.85%
Total	499	100.00%

Q49 Religion	Counts	%
Adventist	75	15.24%
Anglican	48	9.66%
Church of God	36	7.30%
Evangelical	11	2.15%
Jehovah Witness	2	0.43%
Methodist	161	32.62%
Moravian	6	1.29%
None/no religion	5	1.07%
Pentecostal	125	25.32%
Rastafarian	7	1.50%
Roman Catholic	4	0.86%
Wesleyan Holiness	4	0.86%
Other	1	0.21%
Don't know/Not stated	7	1.50%
Total	494	100.00%
NotApp :	4

Q53 Insurance	Counts	%
Yes	293	58.72%
No	187	37.45%
Don't know/Not stated	19	3.83%
Total	499	100.00%

Q55 Internet Use	Counts	%
Yes	239	47.87%
No	244	48.94%
Don't know/Not stated	16	3.19%
Total	499	100.00%

Q58. Country of birth	Counts	%
Other Latin or North American countries	1	0.21%
Antigua and Barbuda	432	86.60%
Other Caribbean countries	1	0.21%
Canada	2	0.43%
Dominica	3	0.64%
Guyana	20	4.04%
Jamaica	4	0.85%
Monsterrat	2	0.43%
St. Kitts and Nevis	2	0.43%
St. Lucia	2	0.43%
St. Vincent and the Grenadines	1	0.21%
Trinidad and Tobago	2	0.43%
USA	17	3.40%
USVI United States Virgin Islands	4	0.85%
Not Stated	4	0.85%
Total	499	100.00%

Q71 Country of Citizenship 1	Counts	%
Antigua and Barbuda	471	94.47%
Other Caribbean countries	1	0.21%
Dominica	1	0.21%
Guyana	13	2.55%
Jamaica	2	0.43%
Monsterrat	1	0.21%
St. Lucia	1	0.21%
Trinidad and Tobago	2	0.43%
USA	1	0.21%
Other countries	1	0.21%
Not Stated	4	0.85%
Total	499	100.00%

Q71 Country of Citizenship 2 (Country of Second Citizenship)	Counts	%
Other Caribbean countries	3	7.89%
Canada	3	7.89%
Dominica	2	5.26%
Guyana	7	18.42%
Jamaica	2	5.26%
Monsterrat	1	2.63%
St. Lucia	1	2.63%
St. Vincent and the Grenadines	1	2.63%
USA	19	47.37%
Total	40	100.00%
NotApp :	458

Employment status	Counts	%
Employed	244	63.01%
Unemployed	23	6.03%
Inactive	117	30.14%
Not stated	3	0.82%
Total	387	100.00%
NotApp :	111

Q117 MoneyOverseas	Counts	%
Under 100 EC$	378	97.53%
500 to 999 EC$	1	0.27%
1,000 to 1,999 EC$	5	1.37%
2,000 to 4,999 EC$	2	0.55%
5,000 to 99,999 EC$	1	0.27%
Total	387	100.00%
NotApp :	111

Related Research Articles

Antigua and Barbuda is a sovereign island country in the Caribbean. It lies at the conjuncture of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the Leeward Islands part of the Lesser Antilles.

Saint Philip, officially the Parish of Saint Philip, is a civil parish of Antigua and Barbuda, on the easternmost portion of Antigua island. Its capital is the village of St. Philip's. Saint Philip borders Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Saint Philip faces the Atlantic Ocean. Saint Philip is surrounded by various islands and islets. It had a population of 3,347 in 2011, which makes it the least populous parish of Antigua and Barbuda.

Saint Mary, officially the Parish of Saint Mary, is a parish of Antigua and Barbuda on the island of Antigua. Saint Mary borders Saint John to the north, and Saint Paul to the east. Saint Mary is dominated by the Shekerley Mountains, and its northern border is largely defined by the mountains, and by Cooks Creek. The largest city in the parish is Bolans, home to the Jolly Harbour neighbourhood, and the parish church is located in Old Road. Saint Mary was created with the other five original parishes on 11 January 1692. It had a population of 7,341 in 2011, and 8,141 in 2018.

Saint Paul, officially the Parish of Saint Paul, is a parish of Antigua and Barbuda on the island of Antigua. Saint Paul borders Saint Peter and Saint John to the north, Saint Mary to the west, and Saint Philip to the east. Saint Paul is dominated by farmland in the north, with various creeks and Potworks Dam marking its northern border, and low-lying hills to the south, defining its western border with Saint Mary. The largest city fully within the parish is Liberta, the fourth largest city in the country. The parish capital, and the location of the parish church, is Falmouth. The main economic and tourism hub of the parish is English Harbour. Saint Paul was created with the other five original parishes on 11 January 1692. It had a population of 9,004 in 2018.

Saint Peter, officially the Parish of Saint Peter, is a parish of Antigua and Barbuda on the island of Antigua. Saint Peter borders Saint Paul to the south, Saint Philip to the east, and Saint George and Saint John to the west. Saint Peter is dominated by farmland, savanna, and undeveloped fields, and its borders are not well-defined. The largest city fully within the parish is Parham, which is also the capital. However, the portion of the city of All Saints in Saint Peter is significantly larger than Parham. Saint Peter was created with the other five original parishes on 11 January 1692. It had a population of 5,325 in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antigua</span> Island in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua, also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the most populous island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Barbuda became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations on 1 November 1981.

All Saints is the second largest settlement in Antigua and Barbuda, with a population of 3,412. It is located in the middle of Antigua, at 17°3′N61°47′W. Just 5 miles NW of here is the capital, St. John's. It had a population of 3,900 in 2001.

Parham, officially known as the Town of Parham, is the capital of Saint Peter, the largest city in Saint Peter, and the fourteenth largest city in Antigua and Barbuda. Parham had a population of 1,307 in 2011, distributed over 1.99 square kilometres. Parham is similar in population to Potters Village, the thirteenth largest city in Antigua and Barbuda, and Bendals, the fifteenth largest city. Parham is situated on the shore of Parham Harbour, one of the most important harbors in the country enclosed by the Parham Peninsula and Long Island. Parham comprises four main neighbourhoods: Lovers Lane, Parham Market, Byam Wharf, and the School neighborhood. If the Saint Peter portion of All Saints, home to 1,954 people extending across three parishes, is considered a separate city, Parham would be considered the second largest city of Saint Peter. The major division of Parham, the town's metropolitan area, stretching over the eastern portion of the parish, had a 2011 population of 3,499 people.

Liberta is a town located in Saint Paul Parish, on the island of Antigua in Antigua and Barbuda. It had a population of 2,560 in 2001.

Freetown, officially known as FreeTown, is a town in Antigua. It is located in the southeast of the island, on a peninsula between Willoughby Bay to the south and Nonsuch Bay to the north.

Swetes is located in Saint Paul Parish on the island of Antigua, in Antigua and Barbuda.

Piggotts, also known as St Mark's Village, is a small township in Saint George Parish on Antigua island in Antigua and Barbuda. It had a population of 1,478 in 2001.

Potworks Dam is in central Antigua located close to Bethesda. One of the most significant water treatment facilities on the island is located on the southern shore at the Delapps Water Treatment Plant.

Sea View Farm is a village located in Saint George Parish on the island of Antigua, in Antigua and Barbuda.

Freemans is a village located in Saint Peter Parish on the island of Antigua, in Antigua and Barbuda.

Afro-Antiguans and Afro-Barbudans are Antiguans and Barbudans of entirely or predominantly African ancestry.

Five Islands Village is a village located on the northwest coast of Antigua, within Saint John Parish in Antigua and Barbuda.

Urlings is a village in Saint Mary, and the twenty-sixth largest settlement in Antigua and Barbuda. Urlings is located in the southwest of Antigua and has a history dating to before 1856. Urlings started as a small coastal village with a little over 100 people in the 1800s to now being one of the country's more medium sized towns. Urlings is separated from the rest of Antigua by the Shekerley Mountains. Urlings is located between the communities of Johnsons Point and Old Road. Urlings has a seafood festival, a community association, a primary school, a playing field, a fisheries complex, and a cricket club that plays in the Village Parish League.

Indian Antiguans and Indian Barbudans are Antiguans and Barbudans of entirely or predominantly Indian descent.

Bridgetown, also known as Willoughby Bay, is a ghost town in Saint Philip, Antigua and Barbuda.

References

Scott, C. R. (ed.) (2005) Insight guide: Caribbean (5th edition). London: Apa Publications.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Bethesda | Methodist Church of Antigua & Barbuda Bethesda |". 2014-03-20. Archived from the original on 2014-03-20. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
↑ "ANTIGUA & BARBUDA'S CULTURAL HERITAGE". antiguahistory.net. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
↑ Samuel, Hewlester A. (2007). The birth of the village of Liberta, Antigua. Coral Springs, FL: Llumina Press. ISBN 978-1-59526-726-9. OCLC 316028853.
↑ Beale, Christopher (2010). Antiqua & Barbuda : island guide. Washington, D.C.: Other Places. ISBN 978-0-615-21837-3. OCLC 1301799363.
↑ "Church of God Antigua". 2014-03-02. Archived from the original on 2014-03-02. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
↑ "About Us « St. John's Pentecostal Church House Of Restoration Ministries". 2013-12-25. Archived from the original on 2013-12-25. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
1 2 "Antigua and Barbuda 2001 Census" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2014-02-22.
1 2 "Enumeration District Boundaries for the 2021 Census". nri.environment.gov.ag. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
↑ "Antigua and Barbuda::Statistics Division/Redatam Webserver | Statistical Process and Dissemination Tool". redatam.org. Retrieved 2021-12-23.

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[:0-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Bethesda | Methodist Church of Antigua & Barbuda Bethesda |". 2014-03-20. Archived from the original on 2014-03-20. Retrieved 2023-03-12.

[2] "ANTIGUA & BARBUDA'S CULTURAL HERITAGE". antiguahistory.net. Retrieved 2023-03-12.

[3] Samuel, Hewlester A. (2007). The birth of the village of Liberta, Antigua. Coral Springs, FL: Llumina Press. ISBN 978-1-59526-726-9. OCLC 316028853.

[4] Beale, Christopher (2010). Antiqua & Barbuda : island guide. Washington, D.C.: Other Places. ISBN 978-0-615-21837-3. OCLC 1301799363.

[5] "Church of God Antigua". 2014-03-02. Archived from the original on 2014-03-02. Retrieved 2023-03-12.

[6] "About Us « St. John's Pentecostal Church House Of Restoration Ministries". 2013-12-25. Archived from the original on 2013-12-25. Retrieved 2023-03-12.

[:1-7] 1 2 "Antigua and Barbuda 2001 Census" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2014-02-22.

[:2-8] 1 2 "Enumeration District Boundaries for the 2021 Census". nri.environment.gov.ag. Retrieved 2023-03-12.

[9] "Antigua and Barbuda::Statistics Division/Redatam Webserver | Statistical Process and Dissemination Tool". redatam.org. Retrieved 2021-12-23.

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Authority control databases
International	VIAF
National	United States

v t e Populated places of Antigua and Barbuda
Largest city: Saint John's
Saint George	Barnes Hill Carlisle Coolidge Crosbies Fitches Creek Gunthorpes New Winthorpes Osbourn Paynters Piggotts Sea View Farm
Saint John	Adelin Belmont Bendals Blue Waters Branns Hamlet Buckleys Cedar Grove Cedar Valley Clare Hall Clarkes Hill Crosbies Emanuel Five Islands Golden Grove Greenbay Herberts Nut Grove Ottos Potters Radio Range Skyline St. Claire St. John's St. Johnston Tomlinson Upper Gamble's Villa Yeptons
Saint Mary	Bishops Blubber Valley Bolans Cades Bay Cedar Hall Claremont Crabs Hill Ebenezer Glebe Jennings John Hughes Johnsons Point New Division Old Road Orange Valley Mill Sawcolts Seaforths Urlings Yorks
Saint Paul	Bethesda Burkes Christian Hill Delaps Dieppe Bay English Harbour Falmouth Liberta Mathews Pattersons Swetes Table Hill Gardens
Saint Peter	Diamonds Freemans Mercers Creek Pares Parham Vernons
Saint Philip	Collins Ffryes Glanvilles Montpelier Newfield Seatons St. Phillip's Willikies
Barbuda	Codrington Barbuda-North Barbuda-South Barbuda-East
Redonda	n/a