In Barbadian society, anyone with a taint of African ancestry, however distant, was considered the natural inferior of all persons of unmixed European descent.
For her exploits in standing firm against oppression in a society in which she was unlikely to find support firstly, as a non-white person, and, secondly, as a woman; she was named as a national heroine.
Like many whose lives and value to society are not always fully appreciated, the significance of Mrs. Sarah Ann Gill's contribution must be measured in terms of the context of the role played by Methodists at that time.
In October 1823, the Chapel building was destroyed by a mob of white rioters and the Methodist missionary Rev William Shrewsbury and his pregnant wife were forced to flee for their lives to St Vincent.
Sarah Ann was persecuted continuously for one year with threats of grievous bodily harm, questioned by magistrates about supposedly having guns and ammunition in her home, and finally, prosecuted by the House of Assembly.
"[2] He returned and built a chapel on the site of the present James Street Church on land provided by Sarah Ann at a minimal cost with payment spread over eight years.
Her courage, perseverance and commitment to religious freedom set Sarah Ann Gill apart even among the unnumbered fine Christian stewards of her day.