The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

FOR 173 years the Grants Town Wesley Methodist Church has played an integral part in the spiritual, moral, and social life of the community.

It has been a place where those who are hungry can be fed, and those who have fallen by the wayside, can receive new direction.

The church will celebrate 173 years of Christian witness this Sunday under the theme "Do Not Fear I am Here With You".

The public is invited attend a prayer breakfast on Saturday morning, and an anniversary worship service at 11am at the church. Later that night there will also be a hymn service at the church.

The Grants Town Wesley Methodist Church has a long history. It was erected shortly after slavery was abolished in the Bahamas. Ever since its inception, the church has remained committed to healing, nurturing and offering services to those in the surrounding communities.

It has also been intimately involved in the struggle for autonomy for the Methodist churches in Bahamas.

"Wesley is our great heritage from many prayerful souls who left their footprints for us to see. The record truly shows a faithful trail of witnesses who kept this fruitful fold. Wesley is a beacon light, in the center of Grant's Town. Its bright beams shine all around. This church became a mission from the day that it was born," said Oswald C Munnings, church secretary and trustee.

In the early 1800's, Methodists in the Bahamas were not hindered from evangelising because they did not have a physical sanctuary. Through prayer meetings in the Grants Town the faithful ministered the word. Several years later the church reached a milestone when it was granted a plot of land for the construction of a chapel in 1838.

"This church has been around for so long. It has been a pillar in the Grants Town community for centuries. It has played an integral role, spiritually, morally, socially, and economically. A church that has done this much needs to be celebrated," said Richard Lightbourne, a church member and resident of Grants Town.

Like most institutions, Wesley Methodist has not been without its share of challenges. In 1926 the entire church structure was destroyed by a devastating hurricane. Thereafter, services were held in a school room that was also part of the church.

Throughout its time the church has established various groups and organisations including prayer groups, Bible Study, Visitation Teams, Sunday School, Wesley Guild, Youth/Young Adults, Crusaders, Women's League, Men's Fellowship, the Boys'/Girl's Brigade, the Brownies and Guides, the Day Nursery, Junior Choir, Hand-bell Sanctuary and Children's Choir. They also established a radio programme, Soup Kitchen, Sunrise Service, Dance Troupe, Wesley Band, Wesley Guild, Usher Board, Lay Ministry and the Congregational Board.

The church also gave birth to four other societies including Rhodes Memorial Methodist Church, St Michael's, Curry Memorial and Ascension Methodist Churches.