Born on October 17, 1935, in Nassau, The Bahamas, The Rt. Rev’d Bishop Gilbert Arthur Thompson is a distinguished Anglican clergyman, educator, and historian. The son of William Edward and Corene Thompson, he began his lifelong journey in faith and scholarship at the St. Agnes Day School in 1940. His formative years in the Grants Town community, particularly in the Over-The-Hill area, deeply shaped his worldview and commitment to service.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1961, Bishop Thompson served across several Family Islands before becoming Rector of St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Nassau, where he ministered for 32 years. His tenure was marked by a dedicated effort to bridge social divides and uplift the spiritual and educational life of his congregation. Notably, he succeeded a respected English rector, navigating cultural transitions with grace and perseverance.

A champion of education and Bahamian cultural preservation, Bishop Thompson pursued advanced theological studies, including summer sessions at Princeton University while earning his Master’s in Christian Education. His love for learning extends to classical languages, as he continues to study Latin and Greek well into retirement. He is also a lover of literature and a devoted reader of Shakespeare.

Bishop Thompson is the author of A Goodly Heritage: A Concise History of the Diocese of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, a landmark work described as a definitive resource on the Anglican Church’s presence in the region. The book not only charts ecclesiastical development but also provides invaluable insight into the political and educational evolution of the Bahamian archipelago.

His roots in the Over-The-Hill community run deep. He and his brothers—Archdeacon William Thompson and Dr. Philip Thompson—were raised in a cherished family home at the corner of Market and Hay Streets, which Bishop Thompson continues to visit weekly for reflection and remembrance. His brother William, tragically killed in 2000, served as Rector of St. Agnes Church and is remembered by Bishop Thompson as a selfless nation builder.

In 2006, Bishop Thompson was appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his extensive contributions to the church and society.

Now retired, Bishop Thompson remains active in the life of the church, attending weekly Mass at St. Agnes and maintaining a robust physical and intellectual routine. He and his wife, Olga, are the proud parents of three children—Gilbert II, Angela, and Heather—and grandparents to several grandchildren pursuing careers in industrial art, medicine, and law.

Bishop Thompson often reminds younger generations of the importance of knowing one’s roots. “Let’s rebuild around God, family, and education,” he says, echoing the values that have shaped his life’s work.