The Tribune

MEMBERS of the Anglican Church of the Holy Spirit are coming together this Sunday to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the church. The Anniversary of Dedication celebration will take the form of a Family Eucharist, with the Venerable I Ranfurly Brown, Rector, St Agnes Church and Archdeacon of the West Central Archdeaconry acting as the celebrant. There will be a family brunch and fun day following the service, with food, drinks and entertainment. "Anglicans all over New Providence with roots at Holy Spirit are being invited to come back home to Chippingham for this special occasion," said church representatives. The Church of the Holy Spirit, often called "the little Church with the big heart", is proud of its heritage and gives thanks for its growth and development over 73 years. "We look forward to seeing all our sons and daughters on January 15, 2012 as we celebrate and praise our good and gracious God." In the old days the church was referred to as "the mission church". It was built in the 1938 by the late Canon E W G Holmes and dedicated on January 1, 1939. Under the Parish of St Mary the Virgin at the time, the church later on became autonomous as a parish church in 1972 with the late Fr Glendon Brant as its first rector. With additional extensions to the north and south of the existing structure of the church in 1975 and 1976, the church expanded with major renovations under the rectorship of the late Fr Dunstan N A Burrows. There was a re-dedication service in July 1978. Continuing the plan of upgrading the church and building upon the works of his predecessors, the present rector since August 2010, Fr Peter A G Scott, strives to develop the compound and plans for 2012 and beyond. "Including the refurbishment of the existing Church organ at a cost of $60,000 and the re-ceiling of the entire church and sanctuary. The balcony, over and under, has already been completed," members said. Future plans will be announced to expand and renovate the existing small Parish Hall (built in 1948) to a modern, state of the art parish centre, members said. The anniversary service will begin at 8:30 am on the church grounds located on Howard Street, Chippingham.