The Diocese Of The Bahamas And The Turks and Caicos Islands, recognizing the increased movement of the population to the south-west section of New Providence, and having the desire to meet the spiritual needs, founded St. Ambrose Church, with Fr. Colin Saunders as its founding priest-in-charge. The new arrival increased the number of parishes on the island to eighteen (18).
Though it rained and the freshly prepared land was muddy, the ground breaking ceremony for St. Ambrose Church was held on December 7, 1999 and was officiated by the Most Rev’d Drexel Gomez, Archbishop of the West Indies. The straw handbag of a founding member substituted as a collection plate on that occasion.
Several meetings of interested parishioners were held during the month of December, but it was on January 9, 2000 at 9:00a.m. that the first worship service was held in the backyard of Stephen and Terri Bellot. The approximately fifty (50) members met there for several months as it was not until March 2000, that regular services were held under the tent on the property of the Anglican Diocese.
The continued and sustained increase in membership has warranted the church embarking on an ambitious project to refurbish the ruins of the former Trinity Church.
Historical Roots of St. Ambrose
The grounds on which St. Ambrose Church was built are steeped in history. Carmichael, formerly Headquarters, was purposely established in 1829 by Governor James Carmichael Smith out of his perceived need to create a place in society for Africans.
1829 – 1833
The Africans had been brought here following the abolition of the Slave Trade in 1807. The Royal Navy captured many ships which were involved in the slave trade and released the would-be slaves in the Bahamas, as according to Governor Colebrooke, ‘no colony is so favorable as an asylum for the Africans.’ It is said that in 1832, 514 liberated Africans were living in and around Carmichael and it eventually became a ‘thriving and extensive settlement of independent Africans.’
It was between 1832 and 1835 that a chapel named Trinity Church was built out of limestone by the liberated Africans.
The Church became a very important part of the post-slavery era. It was used not only for divine worship but it was also important as a school and place of moral instruction.
It was the duty of the Superintendent, who was appointed in 1833, to ensure that both morning and evening services were held, according to the rites of the Church of England. Initially this office was held by one identified only as ‘Mr. Rigby’ who managed the church and the school miserably and was replaced by Mr. John Minnis who saw to it that regular religious services were held at the chapel by an Anglican clergyman who visited the village as often as he could.
The village of Carmichael suffered decline in numbers as the settlers were able to acquire jobs which necessitated them moving from Carmichael to the Grants Town area. The structure of the church was strong enough to withstand many hurricanes so much so that St. Ambrose Church was be built around the walls which remain there.
