(Guyana Graphic July 20th 1969)
The swinging beat of a string orchestra is nothing new in Guyana.
But last Sunday it created something of s surprise when passersby heard that swinging sound being amplified from St. Saviour’s Anglican Church on Broad Street, Georgetown.
It was no dance hall frolic but a solemn mass being supported by the Telstars string band and it was history making for it was the first time that a pop mass has been held in an Anglican Church in Guyana.
That it took many of the 250-odd members of the congregation by surprise there is no doubt.
But there is also no doubt that from the general reaction and the clapping of hands and feet not many resented the swinging renditions.
Later an apparently satisfied Vicar Father Harry Calaghan, said so far as he was concerned, no adverse comments from individuals or churches would convince him that his “swinging mass” was irreverent..
He declared quite confidently:”I think it was great.. I saw no sour faces in the congregation and even some conservative members thought it was quite good. I think we have made a breakthrough and I hope that it has started something that will grow.”
