The Brewers Bay Community Centre has reopened and was formally dedicated in honour of the late George Wellington Christopher, a beloved public servant whose life of faith, service, and generosity helped shape the Second District community.
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, said the project is part of Government’s wider effort to restore community spaces damaged in 2017.
“Reopening of this centre is one step in a larger programme to make our community centres safe, resilient and welcoming again,” the Minister said. “Each reopening brings us closer to completing the full restoration of these vital spaces, which are more than just buildings. They are safe havens in emergencies, places for learning and recreation, and anchors for building stronger, more connected communities. As we dedicate this building, we honour the values that defined George W. Christopher’s life, service, faith, and generosity, and we invite everyone who gathers here to live out those values”.
Second District Representative, Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull, reflected on the centre’s history and spoke of the emotional significance of the day.
Honourable Turnbull said, “We all remember the pain of 2017, when Hurricanes Irma and Maria tore through these Virgin Islands and left behind devastation like we had never seen before. Among the many losses was this centre, the home of the Golden Eagles Seniors, the gathering place for our community meetings, and the stage for cultural celebrations. When we lost this building, we lost more than four walls and a roof. We lost a hub where our people came together to laugh, to share, to solve problems, and to celebrate life.”
“But even in the storm’s aftermath, our spirit was never broken. And today, as we stand inside this rebuilt centre, we reclaim what the storm tried to take away. This centre carries the name of George W. Christopher, a man whose story still teaches us how to live and serve,” the Second District Representative added.
Meanwhile, the grandson of Mr. George Christopher, Troy Christopher spoke about his grandfather’s enduring influence.
“Beyond his official duties, Mr. Christopher was a man of the soil and the sea, an ardent farmer and fisherman who provided for his household and contributed generously to the wider community. Because he balanced his government work with farming, he often had an abundance of produce, much of which he freely gave away to ensure that families around him had enough to eat. His Christian principles guided his every step, most clearly demonstrated in his lifelong service at the Road Town Methodist Church, where he served faithfully as a ‘guardian of the money.’ Those who knew him speak of his great disposition, his willingness to help, and his ability to shine light in the lives of others,” Troy Christopher said.
George W. Christopher served for decades as a public officer and community stalwart, including work as a Local Constable, Road Warden, and Cattle-dip Supervisor. His work earned him recognition from the crown in 1958 with the British Empire Medal. He was a devoted husband and father of eleven whose home embodied the values of discipline, love, and faith.