Prospect, Grand Cayman
| Prospect | |
| Cayman Islands | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Island: | Grand Cayman |
| Location: | 19°16’0"N, 81°19’60"W |
| Data | |
| Local Government | |
Prospect is one of the oldest settlements on Grand Cayman, the largest of the Cayman Islands. Onbce a prosperous town, it delined suddenly until today Prospect is in effect lost as a village and considered merely an eastern neighbourhood of George Town, though its name remains to it, and in turn it gives a name to the neighbourhood of Prospect Park.
History
Prospect rose to residential prominence in the 18th Century before Bodden Town was founded, and perhaps even before George Town. It prospered, but several factors led to its decline to insignificance. Its geographical position left it vulnerable to bad weather, especially during nor'westor storms, resulting in roads that were frequently washed out. Its harbour too is small and proved too shallow for great ships, isolating its residents from the sea, which was and still is a major method of transport around the islands. Other setlements of Grand Caymand are with its reefs, which may hinder an incautious sailor's approach, but which provide some shelter from the storm-angered sea; Prospect though is not protected by the reef and so is more vulnerable to the waves.
Church records show ministers were assigned to Prospect from Reverend Elmsie's time in 1846 until 1936. This helped to substantially increase the population, at which time, it is noted, church membership peaked at Prospect. In 1915 the cornerstone was laid for the chapel still sitting on the site. In addition to regular church services, Sunday School, Christian Endeavour, Prayer Meetings and other social functions were held in this building. Gas lights were used at for the very popular evening "Magic Lantern" shows (slide shows) organized by Mr. A. C. Panton, the schoolteacher at nearby Spotts.
In 1932 a hurricane now infamous in island history stuck the Cayman Islands. It destroyed nearby Red Bay and led to the exodus from the area of some families to places like Crewe Road, on the outskirts of George Town, and Savannah.
The United Church kept the Prospect Chapel, and in the 1990s, work was finally undertaken to rehabilitate the building. A service of dedication was held on the site in June, 1992. Today the chapel is still used for devotions and services by campers at the Prospect Youth Centre.