About Us
Mission | How It Started | Unique 'House' System
Mission Statement
To provide adequate opportunity that will enhance development of clubbites in the field of sports, arts, skills and academics to foster the spiritual, cultural, moral and social needs to be effective worthwhile social beings.
How it started...
Our history began with a dream of one man, the Rev. Mr. Harrison, Rector of the St. James Parish Church and Archdeacon for Cornwall, caught the imaginations of many who assisted its realization and further built on it.
One day early in 1942 when Archdeacon Harrison looked on the streets of Montego Bay and saw several idled young men. He also foresaw a potentially problematic situation developing as he believed in the old adage, "The devil finds work for idle hands."
And so it was that he worked on the idea of forming a club which would effectively remove the boys from the streets and offer inducements and involve them in healthy recreation and Christian development, particularly at nights. He finally had the opportunity to share these ideas on June 19, 1942, in a meeting with Montego Bay community and business sector leaders, including Sir Francis Kerr-Jarrett, Hon. Walter Fletcher, Aubrey Stephenson. Clifford Delisser, W.I. Pocock, J.W. Hardie, Charles E. Agate, Canon B.C. Jones, Rev. Alan Jacobs, Rev. R.C. Young, Dr. Herbert L, Morrison, Dr. H.H. Brown and Robert Fletcher.
The men did not waste time. The club started on August 3, 1942, which was the birthday of one of the pioneer boys, Aston Lawrence. He has remained a member throughout, functioning as caretaker and at present leader in charge of day operations. adopting the frank but apt motto, "Perseverance." The Montego Bay Boys Club began to make a difference in the lives of thousands of Montego Bay's youth.
Location changes...
The club started in a building on Fustic Road, loaned by Dr. Brown, which was fitted with showers and a dressing room, and a large assembly room with a piano. Activities involved indoor games, handcraft and music under the direction of Canon Jones who introduced the singing of carols very early in the morning at various places around the town at Christmas time, a practice other groups were to adopt. During this time Charles Agate was "Mr. Leader" and Mr. Stanley Harris, caretaker. Initially, John E. Marsh and his wife took great interest in the club and helped to provide clothing for the needy, helped with the annual summer camp and provided most of the money to award scholarships to Knockalva and Cornwall College, to the members.
National Hero, Sir William Alexander Bustamante also had connections with the Montego Bay Boys Club. In 1948 the building on Fustic Road was required by its owner, so the club had to be relocated. Sir Alex, then Head of Government and known for his compassion for the youth, responded to the club's plight and gave order that a government building on River Bay Road should be partitioned and used by Boys Club. As though prophetic, this area, close to the socially depressed areas of Montego Bay, was to become the club's future home. In 1957 the earthquake partially destroyed the building and the equipment in it. The St. James Parish Council allowed the club to use the Town Hall until yet another National Hero and then head of Government, Rt. Excellent Norman Manley gave instructions for it to be repaired. Eight years later, the building was required by the Government Marketing Department and the club again removed. This time to a warehouse on the premises of the Jamaica Railway Corporation. The Montego Bay Boys Club finally moved into its present home on River Bay Road in 1966, on lands donated by Sir Francis Kerr-Jarrett. The official opening took place a year later in March 1967.
Apart from its success in shaping the minds of its members, the Montego Bay Boys Club also has a proud history of Marching Band, participation in competitive sports, recreation, and educational programmes.
Unfortunately, Mr. Agate became ill and died in April 1956 after returning from camp in Duncaster. 'Teacher' E.S. McAdam, who had been constantly associated with Mr. Agate, took over the leadership of the programme.
From 1956 to 1968 the club was managed by Dr. Morrison as president and Mr. Clifford DeLisser as secretary/treasurer.
In 1965, Ratimir Pavlovic, affectionately called Papa Pavlovic, became the football coach and became so active that soon he was made a Director and the club's chief promoter. He was the moving force behind the club's musical development and at the time of his departing, was pursuing his dream of establishing a philharmonic orchestra in Montego Bay. Working with "Papa" Pavlovic and the boys, there were several fundraising initiatives which, among other things, resulted in the expansion of the club building.
Later, the members came under the leadership and training of Rev. Frank Smalling and nine boys were brought up to the standard of licentiates of the Royal College of Music (LRCM) in London.
The death of 'Teacher' McAdam in 1978 saw 'Pop' Lawrence becoming Director of Training for the band and David Earle, Programmes Director.
With the assistance of United Way of Jamaica, woodwork shop and home economics centres have been added. With funds from USAID, a lighted basketball court and spectator stands were built in 1990. The band's practice room which was in a state of disrepair, was reconstructed mainly from funds provided by the estate of Papa Pavlovic.
In 1991 a library and conference room was added. The addition of this new facility has greatly increased the programmes available to the membership and is having a very positive effect on the wider community.
In 1992, celebrating our 50th anniversary, another milestone has been recorded with a change of name to the Montego Bay Boys and Girls Club, bridging the gender gap and officially recognizing the presence of the young ladies who haven matching strides with the young men over the years in all club activities.
Under the firm guidance of these two men, the club continues to grow and has become a model for youth clubs here and abroad.
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Mr. David Earle and Mr. Gladston 'Pop' Lawrence
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Unique 'House' System...
All the children who joins the club is grouped into 'HOUSE'.
The Club has 6 'HOUSE' groups for boys, and 2 'HOUSE' groups for girls.
All 'HOUSE' groups are named after our past directors.
-BOYS HOUSE-
-GIRLS HOUSE-
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©2005-2006 Montego Bay Boys & Girls Club
REV. HARRISON
Sir Francis Kerr-Jarrett
Clifford Delisser
Charles E. Agate
Stanley Harris
'Teacher' E.S. McAdam
Ratimir 'Papa' Pavlovic