Spring Garden Moravian Church

Spring Garden Moravian Church was constructed in 1851 and built on the ruins of an old sugar factory. The building served the Moravian Church and the wider community as a sanctuary, school and community centre and survived the ravages of hurricane Flora on September 30, 1963. Although replaced by a new sanctuary, the old church serves as a remedial learning centre and a meeting place. Proposals and plans are now being made for its restoration.

The first Moravian missionaries arrived in Tobago on the invitation of an estate owner John Hamilton in 1784. At that time there were already churches around Tobago, but they were only for planters and their families. Few priests will entertain the idea of ministering to slaves. The Moravian missionaries, however, came specifically for this reason and thus ministered to the slave population. This work was undoubtedly tough and discouraging but they persevered.

They were able to establish churches and schools in several areas in Tobago, namely: Montgomery (1790), Moriah (1840), Spring Gardens (1851), Bon Accord (1861), Back Bay (1858), Black Rock (1869), Bethesda (1874), Evangel (1989) and Buccoo (1996). Apart from spiritual guidance, an all-round education was provided by the missionaries. Persons became learned in music, singing, reading, writing, sewing and carpentry. The Moravians are credited for awakening and developing the natural talent of the people.