Former pastor tells his side of Baptist property case

On Wednesday, News Five reported on a court case involving the Baptist Association of Belize and former Pastor, Percy Lewis regarding a parcel of land. Justice Oswell Legall ruled in favor of the association and gave the property to them. This morning Lewis came to our studios and refuted Ashley Locke’s version of the events and said he did not initiate the suit against them. Though, he lost in court, Lewis says he felt he wanted to complete a project that was intended for the property.

Percy Lewis, Lost Judgment in Land Case
“The Baptist brought a lawsuit against myself, acting in the joint venture capacity, also representing the community of Buttonwood Bay with the property that is there. That is one and as to ownership of the property, the community and myself have a joint venture on that property. We raised funds locally, as well as from abroad, as well as personal funds. The plans call for a church downstairs, dwelling upstairs and we were modifying the plans to also include a conflict resolution center to name after Beverley Smith, whom I was in Square Peg with, Andy P who I was in dance group with and Rodney Gordon, who I was ordained with and they’ve all passed and gone on and we wanted to do something in their memory, specializing in conflict resolution.”

Jose Sanchez
“Do you intend to appeal?”

Percy Lewis
“No, I do not based on what I told you; moral grounds one, and two I want to put this matter to bed. But we an always find another place to put the center if it is to be.”