Page 87 - 2003 - Atlantic Islands

Indeed, St. James Church calls itself the “oldest Anglican church south of the Equator

(dating from 1774).

The little square is pleasant and breeze-filled so that the interesting looking people

can enjoy the benches and their conversations comfortably. The people themselves

are a mix of many genetic strains: British, Chinese, Africans, Portuguese, Indians,

even some Scandinavians. The skin tones range from quite black to quite white and

all gradations in between. However, nothing is made of these racial overtones among

the people apparently. They are all just “saints.” If that is really so, then perhaps St.

Helena is really the paradise that the saints claim that it is: hospitable climate, lovely

scenery, no snakes or harmful creatures (other than the introduced rats and

termites), beautiful flowers, no crime, friendly and unprejudiced people who have

assimilated all nations who have settled in this tiny speck in the wide Atlantic Ocean.

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