The Tribune

THE excitement of the recent rededication of St Christopher’s Anglican Church in Port Nelson, Rum Cay, will linger in the hearts and minds of many, and not only residents, but in the minds of the Diocesan Bishop Laish Boyd and Joann Boyd as well.

They both visited in an official capacity to rededicate the refurbished and remodelled St Christopher’s Anglican Church.

It was a grand time for many, and especially Father Chester Burton, priest-in-charge of the Anglican churches in North Long Island and also Rum Cay.

It has been Father Burton’s custom since he was ordained to the priesthood almost 10 years ago to place significant emphasis on patronal festivals, feast of titles and dedications or rededications.

He said he sees these as monumental and memorable occasions in the life of the parish and they should never be celebrated in a lacklustre fashion.

The mammoth undertaking of organising the renovation of St Christopher’s began several years before the departure of Father Ernest Pratt, who is presently resident priest-in-charge of Cat Island. It demanded that the small cadre of members had to completely remove the once existing termite infested roof and weather corroded lumber from the dilapidated church along with the existing window frames and doors and establish a vestry/sacristy and bathroom block.

This task could not be undertaken without the assistance of some qualified contractors from Long Island, Don and David Knowles. These twin brothers made the task less difficult. They were fortunate to engage the services of another Long Islander, Mark Knowles, who completed the electrical wiring of the church free of charge. This started the proverbial ball rolling.

The congregation of St Christopher’s used every resource available to them and eventually all things fell in place. One member in particular traversed the length and breadth of the Bahamas to raise funds to assist with the renovations. Businessman Clyde Barclay-Bethel used all his resources and contacts, leaving no stone unturned, to ensure that St Christopher’s Church would one day achieve its deserved form, Father Burton said.

When Father Burton arrived in August 2010 the only thing that needed to be done was to encourage the members to pay off the outstanding mortgage to refurbish the existing church and to erect a vestry/sacristy and restroom facility for the church. So from the time of repairs and completion of paying off the mortgage it took seven years. Father Burton said he termed this the year of jubilee.

At the rededication recent service the church was a beehive of activity. Local contractor David Knowles worked feverishly months before, painting the interior and exterior of the edifice from top to bottom, trying to meet the deadline stipulated by the Diocesan Bishop Boyd and Archdeacon Keith Cartwright.

After all the preparation and work, many members breathed a sigh and wait with bated breath for the arrival of Bishop Boyd. It was lights, camera, action and the stage was set.

Scores of Anglicans and well-wishers entered the transformed church building. Many were awestruck to reflect that the day had finally dawned in the quaint settlement of Port Nelson where they as Anglicans could worship in an edifice indicative of the praise worthy of God.

Bishop Boyd was accompanied by Archdeacon Cartwright of the Southern Bahama Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Father Burton.

Bishop Boyd said he was astonished to see the scope of work undertaken by the members in such short a time. He began the rededication service by blessing the various accoutrements of the church and sprinkling them with holy water.

Bishop Boyd and the delegation, which also included the Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, were serenaded by organist and pilot Drexel Munroe.

“It was soul-stirring Anglican hymns one after the other, as members joined their melodious voices. Prior to Bishop Boyd’s sermon, in his welcome remarks he quickly reminded the members that he expects nothing less from the members of St Christopher’s,” Father Burton said.

In his capacity as rector, Father Burton presented a plaque to Catechist Theodore “Ted” Bain who has delivered yeoman service for over 40 years to ensure that St Christopher’s doors remain open and look just as good as any Anglican church in New Providence. He is ably assisted by two other lay readers, Philip Strachan and veteran educator Constance Martin. Father Burton visits once a month.

After the service, members and well-wishers retreated to the St Christopher’s Garden for a gala reception organised by the vestry members.