In 1830 the Presbyterian Church of Jamaica decided to send Missionaries to preach the Gospel in Africa; they set out for Calabar in Nigeria in 1845 but did not get beyond the Cayman Islands as their ship was wrecked on the reef there. Rev. Hope Waddell was one of the ministers on board the ill-fated ship and when he discovered that there was no organized church on the islands he appealed to the Presbyterian authorities in Jamaica for ministerial help. It took some time for any action to be taken.

In 1846, the Synod meeting at Goshen in St. Mary decided that someone should go. The Rev. James Elmslie heard of the plight of the Caymanians and at the age of 50 he was sent to the Cayman Islands to establish the Presbyterian Church there. Rev. Elmslie had been at Green Island Church in Jamaica and when no other volunteer was found to set up the Cayman Church he said, "If no one will go, I will go".

Rev. Elmslie traveled all over the island of Grand Cayman on horseback, by boat and on foot planting churches, among which was the Church in George Town. The Elmslie Church, which is named after him, is built on the site that was the former Anglican Church and was destroyed by a hurricane that struck in 1838.

The present building was constructed during the 1920’s by Capt. Rayal Bodden, and has a noteworthy feature. Capt. Rayal being a naval architect designed the roof in the form of a ship’s hull turned upside down, which can be seen in its strength and beauty.

Rev. Elmslie laboured unflinchingly in his task despite severe opposition both from the people and those in authority. The few with an interest in religion who welcomed him were enough encouragement; eventually even the Chief Magistrate who has so rigourously opposed him was converted and became a strong supporter! The climate and breadth of the work took its toll on his health, leading to a stroke. He did not desert his post, however, but was eventually forced to return to Scotland in late 1863, and died in mid-1864. He has been followed by many other dedicated ministers.