St Mary the Virgin Church in Warwick celebrated a major milestone over the weekend, planting a Bermuda cedar tree as part of commemorations marking the parish church's 400th anniversary.

The ceremonial planting took place on Sunday, October 4th, during a special anniversary service and rededication ceremony at the historic church. The Juniperus bermudiana cedar, Bermuda's iconic native tree, was chosen as a living symbol of the church's deep roots in the island's history and its hopes for the centuries ahead.

The Bermuda cedar holds particular significance for such an occasion. Once nearly wiped out by scale insect infestations in the mid-20th century, the species has become an emblem of resilience and renewal across the island, making it a fitting choice for a church celebrating four centuries of continuous worship and community service.

St Mary's, one of the oldest churches in Bermuda, has stood at the heart of Warwick parish life since the early days of the island's settlement. The anniversary celebrations have drawn parishioners past and present, along with members of the wider community, to reflect on the church's long heritage.

Church officials indicated that the newly planted cedar will serve as a lasting reminder of the anniversary for generations of worshippers to come, growing alongside the congregation as St Mary's embarks on its fifth century of service to the Warwick community.