The Tribune

The historic Holy Spirit Anglican Church on Howard Street in Chippingham is going outside its four walls and venturing out into the community with its first ever “Back to Chippingham @ Holy Spirit” weekend.

The church, which was established in the community 80 years ago – attending to the spiritual needs of countless Bahamians – will host three events to mark this milestone anniversary.

This Friday, May 17, put on your dancing shoes as the Anglican Church Men of Holy Spirit present “Old School Dance”, to be held at St John’s College Auditorium. The doors open at 7.30pm and tickets can be purchased from members or at the door. Then on Saturday, it’s all about inviting families of the church, the community and former members to convene on the church’s grounds for a Ministries Fair and a “Stroll Down Memory Lane”. The various ministries of the church will be represented to inform people about their ministries and how they can get involved.

Also during this event, there will be an exhibition spotlighting members of Holy Spirit. At 2.30 pm, in the church, a panel discussion will take place under the theme “Let’s Talk Ole Talk – Remembering Holy Spirit’s Past, Embracing the Present and Looking to the Future.” There will be food on sale at a minimal cost. A free bouncing castle will be on-site for the children. There will be free popcorn and snow cones as well. On Sunday, everyone is invited to the close-out mass at the church at 10am.

The Rev Father DeAngelo Bowe, Rector of Holy Spirit, anticipates the event will bring the residents of Chippingham closer together, and it will let them know that the church is there to assist them with their needs.

“The aim behind the ‘Back to Chippingham @Holy Spirit’ is for us to get into the community of Chippingham (and) to get in touch with the residents, reminding them of the presence of the church. We are here not just for services on Sunday, but also to meet the needs of our people in our community, whether they are congregants or not; that we are here to support them in their time of need whether it be physical or spiritual, and also to bring back to Chippingham those original people who started this community, who have their roots here in this community and in this church,” he said.

Father Bowe said although the event is not a fundraiser for the church, the money gained from the selling of food will be used to start an educational endowment fund.

“We are starting an educational endowment fund to be able to give funds to our children when they go off to school and also to assist our less fortunate children in the community and in our church who are striving to excel in their academic pursuits,” he said.

Committee members planning the weekend of activities said they are looking forward to hosting the community and invite everyone to come and take part.