The =Church= itself, with its magnificent old cotton tree, forms one of the most attractive pictures of a simple type in Jamaica, and approaches more nearly to an English village church in character than any other in the colony. Built of brick, with stone quoins, it is a serviceable structure which has successfully withstood earthquake and hurricane since it was constructed in the earlier part of the 18th century, about 1715–35. It was originally a squat building about 33 ft. wide and some 48 ft. long with the present tower. The eastern end was erected and consecrated in 1872. Some monuments which Lawrence-Archer recorded are now covered by the flooring of the seats in the nave. On the other hand, some which he did not record are now visible in the nave. On February 1, 1671, a petition was submitted to the Council by Christopher Horner, George Osborne, John Aldred, George Child, Tho. Coswell, Jno. Warren, Wm. Hinkston, Robt. Smith, James Jenner, Jno. Downer, and Phi. Robarts, inhabitants of Withywood and Dry River: “that whereas His Excellency had recommended Mr. Lander to them for their minister, and they had bought land and were building him a church, and had provided him a competent maintenance, pray they may not be liable to contribute to any other church within the parish.” This was “referred to the next General Assembly in regard the justices and vestry men of every parish are empowered by Act of the General Assembly to lay such assessments and parish duties as they shall think requisite and that power cannot be taken from them by the Governor and Council only.” There was a church in Withywood, although no parson, as early as 1675. Sir Thomas Lynch, writing in May of that year, says, None but these four parishes, Port Royal, St. Catherine, St. John and St. Andrew, are supplied, though there are 14 in the island. In Vere or Withywood there is a church, and that and Clarendon parish adjoining are able and willing to give a minister £100 per annum. At a meeting of the Council held at St. Jago de la Vega on February 19, 1693, The Council being acquainted that Mr. Samuell Cook, Rector of the parish of Vere, was attending at the Door, To answer for a Certaine Remonstrance by him writt and published, was ordered to be called in. Then the Clerke of the Councill was ordered to read the same in his presence. Acknowledged his Error and promised to give a Recantation under his hand and presented to this board which he did accordingly and was accepted of. In a list of the Parishes, Churches and Ministers in Jamaica, April 18, 1715, under Vere is recorded “a church rebuilding” but no rector’s name is given. In 1737 the Committee appointed by the Assembly to inspect the list of dockets of the charitable devises and donations in the Secretary’s office, drew up and submitted a very interesting analysis of the list, parish by parish. So far as Vere is concerned we find that: