It was the year 1962, when a little light began to shine in the Farrington Road area. Gladys Baily, a professional organist, who lived on Infant view Road, Chippingham, started a Branch Sabbath School for the children in Farrington Road area on Sabbath Afternoons. She was a member of the Grant's Town Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Following this initiative, Oscar E. Johnson offered a piece of property to the church on Johnson Park Road. Shortly afterwards, the Bahamas Mission, under the Presidency of Pastor Ed H. Schneider, planned a crusade. Pastor Silas N. McKinney accepted the challenge as the evangelist, and pitched a tent on the property to conduct a crusade. Young Pastor Leslie V. McMillian willingly assisted him. They were hence known as the 'Mc & Mc Team'. This was the year 1963, in the month of March.
By the grace of God, many souls were baptized into the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. When the crusade came to an end, a tent was pitched and the Mission decided to establish the Johnson Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church in April 1963.
To assist the newly baptized members, many families, who lived in Western New Providence, transferred their memberships and became members of the Church.
The tent was later moved to a lot on foster Street which was purchased for parking. The church was then erected ont he donated property. This wooden structure, depicting the shape of "The Praying Hands", was dedicated as a temporary structure in March 1966.
The pastors serving the district over the years were: Leslie V. McMillian, Roy M. Fernander, Trevor W. Thompson, Victor Cargill, Leon H. Brown, Neville E. Scavella, Jeremiah Duncombe, Leonard H. Johnson, Jeffrey K. Thompson, Eric D. Clarke, Leo C. Rolle, Barrington Brennen, Andrew Burrows, Michael Smith, Craig Williams, A. Leroy Sewell, Michael D. Toote and presently Leonardo D. Rahming.
It was during the second term of Pastor Neville Scavella that the suggestion was made to build a permanent structure. Plans were drawn, and in February 1982, Jeremiah Duncombe, the pastor, held a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the building program. Funds for this building were realized from donations by church members and the sale of the parking lot. Under the direction of Joseph Lewis Sr., who gave his services free-of-charge, along with male and female members, worked hard to erect this church building. Every Sunday, the women prepared meals for the workers. The building continued and the cornerstone was laid on March 3, 1985, which was the anniversary of the Church.
In the early part of November 1985, the congregation moved into the basement of the new building to worship, while the old building was waiting to be demolished. Shortly thereafter, Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe was transferred and was replaced by Pastor Leonard Johnson. After spending only six months, he was replaced by Pastor Jeffrey K. Thompson.
Pastor Jeffrey K. Thompson came at a crucial time when much of what now stands was done under his administration. With the continued self-help of the Johnson Park Church members, along with hired help, the work continued. Pastor Thompson worked along with builders, and personally went to the United States of America to purchase the windows, a rug, chairs, ceiling lights, etc.
On the first Sabbath in June 1986, the doors to the upstairs area opened for church services for the very first time, and services have continued ever since. In 1990, the Church welcomed Pastor Eric D. Clarke, and concentrated on constructing the pastor's office. The Church completed the office with assistance from the conference which donated the materials for the roof. Under Pastor Clarke's leadership, the Church became a vibrant organism of young people.
In January 1994, the Conference appointed Leo C. Rolle as the pastor of the church. His goal was to complete the church building and dedicate it to the honor and glory of God. The hours were long and hard; the challenge for the necessary funds was a mountainous feat; but the men worked, the pastor pushed, the women cooked, and we can feel justly proud that this edifice was dedicated to the honor and glory of God.
Today the church is striving steadily as it seeks to save souls and hopes to one day expand the infrastructure. We have been blessed as a church group with the many shepherds Christ allowed to lead His sheep and today we can proudly say how grateful we are for our current Pastor and disciple of Christ, Pastor Leonardo D. Rahming.
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If you want to find out information about our sister churches and the Bahamas conference, check out this website for further info:
