Church of the Good Shepherd 

The Church of the Good Shepherd’s journey began around fifty-six years ago, rooted in the dedication and faith of Anglicans from the Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard, and Hunters communities. In the early 1960s, these devout individuals would travel weekly, often on foot, across a small wooden bridge over Hawksbill Creek to attend Sunday Mass at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Eight Mile Rock. As the city of Freeport developed, the wooden bridge was replaced with a wide asphalt causeway. This new causeway, while facilitating travel for those with motor vehicles, posed a significant challenge for those on foot due to the increased distance.

Recognizing the hardship faced by his parishioners, Father Claude Underhill, the parish priest, initiated an outreach plan targeting the children of the community, who he believed represented the church’s future. He obtained permission from the Eastern Star Burial Society to use their hall for Sunday School every Sunday afternoon. This initiative quickly became vital for the community, attracting many children. Despite the success of the children, the adults still faced the challenge of the long journey to St. Stephen’s.

In 1963, a resolution came when the Burial Society allowed the Anglican Church to hold Sunday morning Mass in their hall. Additionally, the Baptist church, facing a similar situation, was granted permission to use the hall on Sunday evenings. This arrangement led to both numerical and spiritual growth within the congregation.

Understanding the need for a permanent place of worship, the congregation embarked on a building fund, supported by the broader Anglican community and other island residents. In 1967, a plot of land bordering Pinder’s Point was acquired, and construction began under the direction of The Right Reverend Michael H. Eldon, Lord Bishop. By the summer of 1968, a beautiful edifice designed and constructed by Mr. Nathan Pinder was completed. Notably, descendants of the Pinder family continue to be pillars of this church.

On October 6, 1968, the church was dedicated under the patronage of The Good Shepherd by The Right Reverend Bernard Markham, Lord Bishop of Nassau and the Bahamas. Canon Eric Sam served as Rector during this period. Two years after the dedication, in 1970, a rectory was built to the south of the church grounds. The parish comprised congregations from The Good Shepherd in Pinder’s Point, Transfiguration in Hawksbill, and St. Jude’s in Smith’s Point. In 1978, the congregation of Transfiguration joined the Good Shepherd, and in 1984, St. Jude became a parish.

As the Church of the Good Shepherd grew, plans were made to extend the physical structure of the parish. In 1987, these plans came to fruition with the construction of the Parish Hall. Under the leadership of Fr. Curtis Robinson, the church continued to grow in membership, and the sanctuary was extended and refurbished. Fr. Robinson envisioned an educational and community center, leading to the demolition of the rectory in 1999 to expand the Parish Hall. This dream was realized in 2001 when the center was re-dedicated and renamed the Michael H. Eldon Educational & Activity Centre.

The efforts of a group of faithful believers willing to journey miles to worship resulted in the birth of a parish and ministry that has thrived for over forty years. Under the leadership of numerous clergy, starting with The Right Reverend Bishop Michael Eldon, the church has continuously strived to carry out God’s work. The community remains grateful for the continued blessings and the clergy and their families who have served.

However, the church faced a significant challenge when Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas on September 1, 2019. As a Category 5 hurricane, Dorian caused catastrophic flooding and mass destruction on the northwest islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. The Church of the Good Shepherd, its rectory, and the Bishop Michael Eldon Activities Centre in Pinder’s Point were not spared.

A massive repair and restoration effort was undertaken under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Jude Osarogiagbon Edomwonyi. The rectory at #5 Tradewinds Drive, South Bahamia, saw extensive restoration, including a new metal roofing system, replacement of sheetrock ceilings with tongue and groove wood ceilings, new vinyl soffit, perimeter fencing, comprehensive mold remediation, and a complete repainting of the interior and exterior.

The church underwent significant repairs, including new metal roofing, mold remediation, bathrooms, Sacristy rooms, choir room, air conditioning handler rooms, and the main interior, including windows, pews, and altar furniture. Structural cracks were addressed, and a new steeple was constructed. The Bishop Michael H. Eldon Activities Centre also saw extensive restoration and refurbishment, including ceiling, mold remediation, bathroom and window, structural crack, roof extension, and new metal roofing. Two new apartments were completed, designated as an assistant curate lodge and a guest apartment.

Beyond the church properties, Rev. Fr. Jude Edomwonyi led efforts to repair 24 houses in the community severely damaged by the hurricane, including constructing a new house. Remarkably, many repaired houses belonged to non-Anglicans, demonstrating the church’s commitment to serving the broader community and embodying the spirit of Christian charity.

The restoration of The Church of the Good Shepherd, its rectory, and the Bishop Michael H. Eldon Activities Centre, along with the repair of numerous homes, represents a monumental effort driven by the dedication and leadership of Rev. Fr. Jude Edomwonyi and supported by the entire community. These restored structures symbolize the resilience and faith of the Anglican community in Pinder’s Point and serve as a beacon of hope and renewal for all seeking solace and spiritual growth in these sacred spaces. Completing these projects marks a significant milestone in recovering and revitalizing the Grand Bahama community post-Hurricane Dorian.