A Faithful Servant: Celebrating 45 Years of Ministry with The Very Reverend Harry Bain

Dean Harry Bain’s life and work illustrate the evolving role of clergy within the Anglican Church in The Bahamas. From his roots on a

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small Baptist island to his leadership at Christ Church Cathedral, he has embraced the challenges of ministry with a focus on people and context. In his own words, Bain reflects on the experiences that have shaped his journey.

Farmer’s Cay, a tiny island in the Exumas, was the setting for Bain’s early years. “Farmer’s Cay is a tiny little place in the Exumas,” he shared. “It’s an island or a cay that’s owned by two families, Nixon and Brown. It’s only a mile by a mile. Two beautiful harbors, very nice and exquisite, pristine, clean, beautiful little island.” Life revolved around farming, fishing, and church activities. “We had a grant-in-aid school back in those days, so going to school as a youngster was fun,” he recalled. St. Mary’s Baptist Church was at the heart of the community, and his home was just 50 yards away. “Our house was maybe 50 yards away from the church, just a wall separating our yard and the church yard.”

When Bain moved to Roker’s Point, Exuma, for schooling, his religious life began to shift. “When I got there, of course, they knew I was Baptist,” he explained. “I went to the Baptist Church for a couple of Sundays. Wasn’t much happening there, and I said, ‘I’ll try the Anglican Church,’ which was St. Margaret’s in Hartz.” He found himself drawn to the structure and vibrancy of the Anglican Church. “All of the activities and all the happenings—CYM, Sunday school, big Sunday school—it was a lot of young people. That drew me into going there as opposed to the Baptist Church, and the rest is history.”

A pivotal moment occurred during a confirmation service when he expressed his desire to fully join the church. “When Bishop Markham came to give me communion, I said, ‘No, I am not an Anglican.’ Of course, then you had to be confirmed to take communion. He asked me whether I wanted to be an Anglican, and I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ At the end of the confirmation service, he asked the congregation, ‘Young Harry wants to be an Anglican, but he needs to be baptized. Who would want to be his godparents?’ A great load of hands went up. I had eight godparents.”

His transition into the Anglican Church marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to education and ministry. After excelling at Roker’s Point All Age School, Bain earned a scholarship to Highbury High School (now R.M. Bailey) in Nassau. Later, he attended the Bahamas Teachers’ College before embarking on theological studies at Codrington College in Barbados. Codrington, with its quiet and contemplative environment, was a significant influence on his spiritual formation. “It was quiet, peaceful… like a retreat center almost.” At 18, he entered the college, where his spiritual foundation deepened. “It was a contemplative setting, very different from Huron Seminary in Canada, which I later attended. At Huron, you’re in the midst of a whole university with 20,000 students. It was much more open, more liberal, and still is. I got the best of both worlds. Codrington was solid in spiritual formation, while Huron broadened my understanding of ministry.”

Once ordained at 23, Bain was appointed to serve across the Family Islands, where he learned the importance of tailoring ministry to the unique needs of each community. “Ministry is always contextual,” he explained. “In Andros, people do a lot of farming and fishing. You don’t go visiting in the morning unless the person was ill. Visits were mainly in the evenings when people would have gotten back from the farm.” Eleuthera, however, presented a different dynamic. “Eleuthera is much more of a business-type community. You could visit at any time, even go to their businesses.”

His longest assignment, however, was in Grand Bahama, where he spent 35 years balancing rural and urban ministry. Grand Bahama offered a mix of challenges and opportunities, requiring him to adapt his approach once again. “In the city, the issues and concerns are very different. You reach out to people in new ways, especially in a large parish like Christ the King.”

Bain’s time in Grand Bahama also allowed him to merge his roles as an educator and clergyman. “Our system of education seeks to develop the whole individual—the whole person, body, mind, and spirit,” he explained. As principal of Freeport Anglican High School (now Bishop Michael Eldon School), he led efforts to integrate technology into the curriculum. “We were one of the first schools in Grand Bahama, if not the country, to have computer labs. Now, the focus is on technology and preparing our kids to take over jobs in renewable energy, tourism, and agriculture.”

His education and ministry experiences shaped Bain’s leadership and pastoral care approach. Preparation, humility, and connection, he believes, are the cornerstones of effective ministry. “First and foremost, your relationship with God is critical. Saying your morning office, reading your scripture, being properly prepared for whatever occasion or service—it’s important to be spiritually grounded because that will feed your preparation.” He also emphasized the importance of working diligently and serving with love. “Be humble, go where your bishop appoints you without complaining, and when you get there, work hard. There are certain fundamentals of ministry that you must do. Once you do your work, people will see it.”

As he looks back on his career, Bain expressed gratitude for the unexpected opportunities he has received. “To tell you the truth, all I wanted to be was a regular priest of a parish. I never thought about moving up the ladder in our church the way it happened. I’ve been a priest, a canon, an archdeacon, and a dean. The only thing left was to become a bishop, but I was not interested in that at all.” He remains focused on addressing both practical and spiritual needs within the church. “Here at the cathedral, I would love to be in a position to purchase a parking space. It’s always a problem. I’d also like to build membership, getting young people and new people involved.”

For the next generation of clergy, Bain’s advice is simple yet profound. “Focus on ministry, live simply, and reach out to people. Encourage them, and they will encourage you.” His hope for his legacy is equally straightforward. “I would want my legacy to be very simple—that I was faithful to my call as a priest until the end. Faithful to God, faithful to the church, and faithful to those who were entrusted to my care.”

Through his own words, Dean Harry Bain reveals a thoughtful, grounded approach to ministry that has touched countless lives. His focus on education, community connection, and adaptability leaves a lasting impact on the Anglican Church in The Bahamas, demonstrating the enduring power of faith and service.