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St.Johns Native Baptist Cathedral Celebrates 200 Years

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A community of spiritual, political, and civic leaders gathered at St. John’s Native Baptist Cathedral to celebrate the church’s two hundred-year anniversary.

Published

9 months ago

March 2, 2025

Denielle Miller

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A community of spiritual, political, and civic leaders gathered at St. John’s Native Baptist Cathedral to celebrate the church’s two hundred-year anniversary.

Founded by freed slave, Reverend Prince Williams in 1825, Governor General Her Excellency Dame Cynthia Pratt notes that the occasion’s theme “How Faithful is Our God” speaks to the extraordinary blessings of God and the church’s rich Christian heritage.

Member of Parliament for Bain and Grants Town, Wade Watson, says the building is more than just a place of worship but should be recognized as a pillar in the community.

WADE WATSON – MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, BAIN & GRANTS TOWN
“Over the past two centuries, ladies and gentlemen, St. John’s Native Baptist Church has weathered the storm. It has witnessed the evolution of our society, adopted the changing needs of the congregation, while remaining steadfast in its core values.”

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe, KC, further emphasizing the need for the church and government to work together.

WAYNE MUNROE, KC- MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY
“You’ve always been a faithful church. You’ve also been a working church, which is very important. We look forward to your continued work with us as we seek to build this great nation. If this church fought against slavery and apartheid, it will assist in the fight we now have, which is against the spirit of crime in this country.”

Delivering the proclamation was Pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Purdy, Virginia, Rev. Dr. Jerome Pratt. He put this charge to the church.

REV. DR. JEROME PRATT – PASTOR, ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, PURDY, VIRGINIA
“The political climate in The Bahamas is marked with ongoing challenges such as climate change, irregular migration, gun trafficking, and all types of crimes. But Revelations chapter three, verses seven through eleven remind us that Jesus commends the church in Philadelphia for their faithfulness, and despite their limited strength, similarly like St. John’s Baptist Church, He reminded them to remain faithful to God’s word and continue to be a beacon of hope and stability in the community.”