Top Historic Sites in Grand Cayman: Don’t Miss Them

The Elmslie Church, located in George Town on Seafarers Way, is one of the oldest churches in the Cayman Islands.

The history of Elmslie Church is an interesting one, as it came about nearly by accident. In 1830, the Presbyterian Church in Jamaica sent a mission to Africa, but the ship was wrecked near the Cayman Islands and got no further.

This is where the history of the Elmslie Church begins. The Mission ship was carrying the Reverend Hope Waddell, who, when he landed on the Cayman Islands, noticed that there was no established Presbyterian church there.

He appealed to the church in Jamaica, which appointed the Reverend James Elmslie, who resolved, when no one else would volunteer, to visit the Cayman Islands and establish the Presbyterian Church there.

He visited the islands and traversed them widely by foot and horseback, establishing churches; among them was the original Elmslie Church, named after him. Unfortunately, the original church he established (which was at the site of a former Anglican church that was destroyed by a hurricane in 1838) was also destroyed by a hurricane in 1876.

In fact, the three churches that have stood on the same site have all been destroyed by hurricanes.

In 1920, members of the church selected Captain Rayal Bodden, who was also a shipwright, to build a new church that would withstand hurricanes.

It is said that he quipped, “Anyone who can build a ship can build a church, but not anyone who can build a church can build a ship.”

His church - the present Elmslie Church, still named in honor of the Reverend James Elmslie - has stood to the present day and only recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Today, if you visit the corner of Harbor Drive and Fort Street, you may notice what looks like a small hut atop a pole.

It might look like nothing other than a local curiosity, but this hut is of a lookout post that marks the location where Fort George once stood.

Fort George, built late in the 1700s, originally overlooked the harbor and held embrasures for 8 cannons. The fort was intended to defend the island against attack by sea.

The original structure had imposing walls of coral rock and limestone, ranging in thickness from 2 to 5 feet.

During the Second World War, the lookout post - the hut - was added to the top of a tall silk cotton tree and was used by Home Guard watchmen to keep an eye out for German U-boats that prowled the Caribbean.

Today, the spot is also home to a 3-part mural that depicts scenes from the life of the fort, including Spanish marauders and German U-boats.

Across from the legislative assembly, at Heroes Square, and not far from Fort George, stands the Cayman Islands Seamen’s Memorial.

Dedicated on May 10th, 2003, in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of the islands, the Seamen’s Memorial depicts a father and son on a ship’s deck and is an homage to the sailors whose lives and works helped to shape the Cayman Islands.

Freshwater is a dear commodity for sailors. That is one of the reasons that 4 freshwater wells were recorded on Grand Cayman in the 1700s - their location would be vital to ships visiting the area.

Located in the Bayshore Mall and protected by a pane of glass, the George Town Step Well is believed to be one of those original 4 wells.

It wasn’t rediscovered until 2003, but it has since been preserved by the National Museum and the family on whose land the well is located.

Fun fact, the Grand Cayman Water Authority tested the well water after its rediscovery and it is still deemed good enough to drink.

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