It’s an all too familiar chapter in American history.
Blacks, especially immigrants from Barbados and the rest of the Caribbean, wanted nothing more than to worship the Almighty in peace and comfort in their new home away from home. But at almost every turn, they were rudely told by church leaders that they weren’t welcome in the houses of God, all because of the colour of their skin.
Never mind that some of the West Indians were ordained ministers in the Caribbean, prepared for their calling by Barbados’ Codrington College and other seminaries in Jamaica or Trinidad and Tobago.
And how did the determined Christian-minded immigrants handle the rejection? They established their own churches in Boston, New York and different American cities.
One such independent religious institution is St Leonard’s Church, located at 765 Putnam Avenue in the heart of Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant community. In a few months, this thriving predominantly Barbadian congregation will celebrate its 75th anniversary, and Bishop Trevor Bentley, a trained Anglican priest who served for years as rector, called the occasion a “milestone”.
As he described it, the church was a product “of a desire of Barbadians, Trinidadians, Antiguans, you name them, to worship as Christians and to follow the Anglican traditions” to which they were accustomed.
“St Leonard’s was formed mainly by Barbadians who were Anglicans but who weren’t welcome by the Episcopal Church. It was systemic racism at work. They named it after St Leonard’s Church in Barbados,” Bishop Bentley said in the well kept, stately religious edifice that was once a Jewish synagogue built around 1910 but bought by Bajans in the 1940s.
“The church was started by about 25 West Indians, hard-working people who couldn’t get decent jobs when they came to this country,” he added.
“Today, St Leonard’s remains distinctly but not exclusively Barbadian and its form of worship and traditions can best be described as ‘high Anglican’.”
Rev. Iverson Waldrond, the current rector, agreed.
“This is a unique church which has remained independent all of its years, emphasizing a people-empowered ministry,” said the Barbadian.
“It is sustained by faith in God, management, discipline and commitment.
“Its 12 guilds, two pipe organs, worshippers with a variety of skills, such as construction, plumbing, electrical, management or engineering contribute wholeheartedly to its maintenance and vibrancy. Our older members, some of whom travel long distances to worship and our young people keep us going. That’s the strength and the character of St Leonard’s.”
Walk into St Leonard’s for a Sunday service, a wedding, funeral, concert or community meeting and it would become clear why it has remained vibrant.
Gardner Weekes, chairman of the board of trustees, was seen on a ladder outside of the church doing an odd job; Darnley Best, the historian who served for decades as board secretary, was proudly pouring over his documents, and Randy Weekes, public relations officer, was singing the institution’s well-deserved praises. The altar and pulpit which were built in 1941 by church members are still being used during services which follow the traditional Anglican Liturgy and use the Ancient & Modern hymnal.
“The good Lord has blessed this church and the upcoming jubilee will be a special time for us,” insisted Weekes the historian, who mentioned the roles
of a host of figures, including Bishop Reginald Barrow, father of the late Errol Barrow, Barbados’ first Prime Minister; Harold Legall, Mary Haynes, Etta King, Maggie Waithe, Walter Haynes, Josh Cumberatch; Bishops Charles Rhoden, Dudley Campbell and C. Van Loo; Archbishops Hubert Rogers and Donald Forster; and Rev. Alexander McGuire, Rev. Charles Rhoden, Allan Drake and Alonzo Francis.
Interestingly, he cited the contributions of people who were close to the late Sir Grantley Adams, Barbados’ first Premier and the only Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation.
Come November 6, the congregation will celebrate St Leonard’s Day. That’s when they plan to honour church mothers with a solemn evensong and a rededication. A week later, it will hold a ceremony reflecting on the contributions of the long list of rectors and priests in charge.
“We are planning to honour the youth, the guilds and others, and to observe Founder’s Day which will give us an opportunity to reach out to those who have served our community, the police, fire department and other institutions and leaders,” said Rev Waldron.
“The jubilee celebrations are to conclude with a gala, all in the praise of our Lord.”
