A SUMMARY HISTORICAL SKETCH

The Original Home Of Grace Community Church

Just under 60 years ago, the organization that is now known as Grace Community Church, located in Palmetto Village, Nassau had its beginning. This beginning was a very humble and modest occasion as a handful of zealous persons met weekly in a church-planting mission on East Shirley Street, just east of Kemp Road.

Eventually a building just (20ft by 30ft), was erected sometime during 1940-41 to house this small band of local missionaries.

Property Donated

The property on which this twenty feet by thirty feet building was placed was donated by brother Benjamin Hall. He became one of the early leading brethren of the assembly, which was to emerge. Brother Hall lived on the property, a piece which he gave the church. Being next door, then, he became the caretaker and overseer. Bro. Hall, being childless, left his own dwelling house to an adopted son, Earl Sandilands, who was also a part of the local assembly

This pioneer ministry was carried-out and financed primarily by the saints from the Central Gospel Hall (now known as Central Gospel Chapel) located on Christie and Dowdeswell Streets, Nassau. Some names associated with the early development of this church body were: Benjamin Hall, Early Sandilands (the adopted son of Bro. Hall), Miss. Elsie Dupuch, Evangelist Willie Farrington, Chester Bethel, Evangelist and Mrs. Murdo McKenzie and Pastor Al Nottage.

Both McKenzie and Farrington led in the official dedication of that building, to the glory of God.

A church comes alive with dedicated youthful help

During the mid-40s and into the decade of the 50s, the then East Shirley Street Gospel Hall came alive with exciting Children's meeting and weekly youth programs. The list of names are too numerous to mention in this brief history, but the record would show that a flurry of young men and women whose names would now be considered among the "Who's-who", among Brethren circles in the Bahamas, were all involved in the development of Grace at that time.

A New Name

In those early days, the church was simply known as East Shirley Street Gospel Hall. In 1951 George Lunn, Errol Rolle, Baltron Bethel and Earl Sandilands met to determine a new name for this thriving group. They came up with the name Grace Gospel Chapel, which was accepted by all.

Fresh impetus was given to the development of Grace (which God obviously had His hand upon), when Rex Major a recent convert joined the group. Through his testimony and the dedicated assistance of George Lunn several persons were converted and came into the fellowship of the church. These included Herbert and Marjorie Treco and Doddridge Hunt. Other persons such as Charles Wallace, Lester and Joyce Maycock and Miss. Marguerite Theophilus sister of Charles Wallace joined the church.

With this influx of persons the various ministries of the church gradually shifted hands from weekly volunteers (particularly from Central Gospel Chapel) to dedicated hands of committed members of Grace. As time passed God directed others to Grace who contributed significantly to the growth of the church.

The church wishes to highlight the various Sunday school outreach Teams for their vision and consistent service: Helen (Knowles) Nottage (Now deceased), Jack Lowe, Eunice Bethel and Paul Bethel. Musicians were Lou Gibson and daughter Sylvia, Doreen (Allen) Major, Clement Bethel, David Allen, Doddridge Hunt, Joye Treco, and Dale (Major) Williams.

First Leaders Installed

About 13 years after the Assembly was set up, on May 19, 1968, Elders and Deacons were officially ordained. Evangelist Ed Allen carried out the special service. Elders installed were: Charles Wallace, Errol Rolle, George Lunn, Herbert Treco and Leslie Peters. Deacons were: Lester Maycock, Nigel Wells, Thomas Mingo and Joseph Darceuil. This was a great blessing to the church; and their combined leadership provided strength and guidance for many years, especially during the transition from a one-room hall to a multi-purpose facility complex

Move to Palmetto Village

The life and ministry of Grace Community Church can probably be seen in Milestones along the way. The next great Milestone was a leap of Faith, by a congregation of approximately 45 persons, who undertook a building project in Palmetto Village, Nassau.

The move to Palmetto Village took place on October 20 th 1969. The group moved into the educational wing of the church (first phase) completely without debt.

The next great Milestone came in the calling of a full-time pastor F. Edward Allen. Of course prior to this, much preparation was made by the church under the leadership of Evangelist/Teacher Rex Major. This groundwork was necessary, since over the long history of Brethren in the Bahamas, this would be the first installation of a full-time paid pastor. Ed Allen was accepted as the best candidate and was installed in 1972.

Under Pastor Ed's leadership the church continued to grow by leaps and bounds. His tenure with the church ended in 1977.

A Milestone in worship experience at Grace came into place with the introduction of drums and eventually a brass section to aid in congressional and special music. Contemporary music forms joined hands with traditional music, producing a very pleasing blend. Most of this was facilitated because Leroy (Tinkle) Hanna and Michael (Sarge) Hanna were won to Christ, discipled and joined the church during the 1980's.

Development and Commissioning of Persons for Ministry

A definite attempt was made to give strong support to promising young men who sensed a call to ministry. By their commitment, prayer, words of encouragement and endorsement, as well as financial aid, the church stood behind Rex and Doreen Major, Leroy and Lillith Knowles, Marcel and Leila Lightbourne, Gil and Joey Maycock, Lyall and Janell Bethel, Phillip and Schell Stubbs, Vaughn and Norma Treco also Leroy (Tinkel) and Melody Hanna as they sought to develop their ministerial skills and use them for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

Additionally, the church supported others for Short-term foreign Missions Ms. Nina Wood (Charles) to the Country of Senegal, and Miss. Maria O'Brien to St. Vincent under the auspices of Ministries in Action.

Pastoral Leadership

In the interim period since 1977, the church installed Rex Major as its second Senior Pastor. Upon his retirement from the Post of Senior Pastor in 2001, Lyall Bethel was accepted first as interim Senior Pastor and later installed as Senior Pastor, an office which he still holds todate.

With a Motto like, "Growing a healthy church to impact our world", the church continues to strive to accomplish that goal for the glory of God.