The Church of God in Barbados Celebrates 100 Years

February 1, 2012

The Church of God reformation [in Barbados] is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The work was started by a Barbadian, Bro. Philip Scantlebury, who for some years lived in the United States of America. He returned to Barbados in 1912 in order to visit his mother who was ill. While there, he gathered together a small group in Mile-and-a-Quarter, St. Peter, where his parents lived, and started open-air services under a tamarind tree.

The Church of God reformation movement is an affiliate of the Church of God reformation movement in Anderson, Indiana. Historically, the Church of God, as a movement, expressed faith through vibrant singing and meaningful worship. Some of the hymn writers include Daniel S. Warner, Barney E. Warren, Charles Naylor, Andrew Byers and the renowned Bill and Gloria Gaither, who are well-known for the song “He Touched Me.”

The Reformation Movement, as its name suggests, spread its mission first to the Reef in Bridgetown in 1913 until it moved to the location in Chapman Street, which now houses the headquarters of the church. The Church at Chapman Street has been referred to as “the church with the lighted cross” and is known for its bell, which called people to worship.

Around the years 1917–19, services were begun in the northern parts of the island at Speightstown in St. Peter, Gardens in St. James, Boscobelle in St. Peter and Belleplaine in St. Andrew. Church buildings were erected and are in these districts to the present day. The Church of God continued to spread the gospel, and other congregations can be found at Avistown, St. Lucy, Bank Hall, St. Michael, Bournes Village, St. George, Brereton Village, St. Philip, Chelsea Road, St. Michael, Edeys Village, Christ Church, Greens, St. George, Jackson, St. Michael, Orange Hill, St. James, Salters, St. George, Silver Sands, Christ Church and Welchman Hall, St. Thomas, giving a full complement of eighteen churches throughout Barbados.

The Church of God reformation movement also operates two-day care centres located at Gardens and Orange Hill, St. James. At Mile-and-a-Quarter, where the church started, there is a Logos Activity Centre, which is an educational and creative training centre. Its focus is evangelistic and its tagline is, “service to man and honour to God”. The Centre not only serves the church but creates linkages within the community.

The current pastor at the founder church is Pastor John Carrington, and both he and his wife Sandra Griffith-Carrington are proud of the legacy left by the early pioneers who braved many a storm to keep the light burning. Many hands have kept that light burning and they endeavour to build upon the foundation laid. Other pastors who have kept the work at the founding church going since the death of Bro. Philip Scantlebury are Pastor Howard Dowrich (deceased), the first native pastor; Pastor Reginald Phillips (deceased), who was the longest serving pastor; Rev. Augustus Bannister (deceased); Rev. Charles Ifill; Rev. Theophilus Walwyn; Rev. DaCosta Small; and Pastor G. Yvonne Babb.

During the year, the congregation at Mile-and-a-Quarter has many activities planned to celebrate its 100th anniversary, commencing with a Re-enactment Service on February 19, 2012, an Anniversary Service on March 18, 2012 and a Police Band Concert on April 7, 2012. The third Sunday in every month will be “Centennial Sunday” and, among other activities, will be the recognition of the former pastors. The theme for the year is “Hitherto, Witherto!”

This article was originally published by The Barbados Advocate on January 7, 2012. Republished by permission.