About Hillview Seventh-day Adventist
Church
- Motto:
“Every member of the body of Christ united in witnessing and living in
readiness by His Spirit for the Kingdom of God.”
- Membership: 1500
- Pastor: Peter Joseph
- Church Office Hours: Week
days 9 a.m.
History:
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Today's Hillview Seventh-day
Adventist Church on Tonique Williams Darling Highway |
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The Englerston Seventh-day Adventist Church. This is
where Hillview Church first started. It is the oldest
Adventist Church structure on the island of New Providence.
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Great things come from humble beginnings.
Such is the history of the Hillview Seventh-day Adventist Church. As far
back as 1942, Haddassah Poitier then, a member of the Grant’s Town
Seventh-day Adventist Church invited all of the children in the neighborhood
to Friday evening vespers and Branch Sabbath School classes on the following
day. She along with another Grants Town member, Sister Evangeline Rolle who
also conducted Branch Sabbath School classes in her home, combined to form
one large class of about 100 children. One of these children, Thomassina
Bowe, is still a member of the Hillview Church.
Haddassah Poitier, affectionately called
“Sister P”, was then joined by Brother Jack Dean and met for worship in the
old building just south of the present St. Luke’s Baptist Church. When this
building became unsuitable, the company moved across the street into a
two-story building owned by Daniel Varence. He along with his family became
an integral part of the growing church. This old lodge hall situated
on the corner of East Street and Palmetto Avenue served as a sanctuary for
these believers for many years. Some of the young Sabbath School members at
that time were Sisters Nora Brown McCalla, Vivian Varence Rahming, Dorothy
Varence Cleare, Joyce Poitier, Blanche Ward Spence, Solomon, Cephas and Sam
Ward. Most of these persons are members of the Hillview Church today.
In 1952 under the leadership of Elder Mote,
Mission President, the company was organized into a church. Charter Members
included Haddassah Poitier, Jane Brown, Pearl McMillan and Hamfreth Rahming
from the Grant’s Town Adventist Church. They were later joined by Cecil
Cartwright, Stanley Major and Turpie Newbold.
One of the very first evangelistic crusades
launched by the church was conducted by Pastor Melvin G. Nembhard in the Old
Sponge Shed on Bay Street out of which a number of new believers were added
to this fledging church community. By this time the brethren recognized the
need for a more permanent building so they negotiated with Sir Roland
Symonette to purchase a small plot on East Street south almost opposite
Cordeaux Avenue. On this site Daniel Varence assisted by others, built the
old section of the present Englerston Church and dedicated it in 1955.
The first pastor to serve the young church was Pastor Neville E. Scavella.
After his tenure Pastor Roy M. Fernander assumed the leadership of the
flock. The congregation continued to grow and the church soon became too
small, expansion was necessary, and in the mid-sixties this was completed.
The late sixties and early seventies
witnessed an explosion of evangelism in the Bahamas Conference, that
resulted in a dramatic increase in membership. The Englerston Church again
was bursting at its seams. Pastor Roy M. Fernander started a
special fund to acquire a suitable and affordable site for a new church.
However, it was not until the tenure of Pastor Royden I. Hanna, that this
comfortable 3.8 acreage was purchased through the assistance of President
Silas N. McKinney from the late Sir Roland Symonette.
Shortly thereafter Rufus Bain drew the plans
for this edifice, and on January 1, 1976, under the leadership of Pastor
Jeremiah Duncombe, the foundation was laid. Assistance came from the
Conference under Pastor Leslie V. McMillan in the form of the United Labor
Program. The members added works to their faith, refusing to be discouraged
even when progress was slow. In August of 1979, Pastor Roy A. Gordon
began his tenure at the Englerston Church and under his leadership the
building program was reactivated. The Cathedral on the Hill slowly began to
take shape, the walls were erected and the roof was pitched by Brother
Solomon Lightbourne. It was also during this time that President Hugh
A. Roach advised the Englerston brethren to extend the auditorium by an
additional forty feet and put in a balcony.
Pastor Keith D. Albury was called to assume
leadership of the Englerston Church on February 16. 1985. After
consultations with the church board, the stewardship and building
committees, a strong Adventure in Faith program was implemented. A countdown
was also established for moving into the present building. The members gave
significantly and our conference donated generously also. The dream of
moving into our new but incomplete church was finally realized in December
1986. From this point on, the building program gained such momentum it could
not be stopped.
Each week we witnessed the transformation,
installation of the doors and windows, etc. Hugh Rollins assembling the
skillfully crafted ceiling; Rudolph Fowler and Rufus Polehmus putting the
professional touch in the masonry work; Charles Miller designing and
installing electrical fixtures; Keith and Kevin Rollins painting and
staining; Godfrey Humes designing the landscaping and parking areas; Eustace
Jennings designing and installing the railings for the steps; all ably
coordinated by our Pastor Keith D. Albury, the stewardship committee led by
James Sands, and our Building Committee led by Brother Hamfreth Rahming and
Arnold Burrows, and the entire church family. Our church was dedicated on
April 16, 1989 by the then president of the West Indies Union, Dr. Silburn
Reid.
In 1990, Pastor Leo C. Rolle was appointed
to be the pastor of our church. He, his wife, Terry and three children
served Hillview for three years.
Pastor Eric D. Clarke became our pastor in
1993. He, his wife, Patrice and three children, two of which were born
during the six years he spent with Hillview.
Pastor Michael A. Smith became our pastor in
1999. He, his wife, Lynn and three children, served Hillview for six years .
Our present pastor is Pastor Peter Joseph.
He brings to our church an energetic presence and looks to propel our church
forward spiritually through his dynamic leadership and preaching. He is
married to the former Michelle McKinney and they have two sons, Edmond and
Newton.
Today our church has a membership of over
700 and can house approximately 900 people. However none can measure the
love, the sacrifice and the labor that make this continual faith project a
reality.
We at the Hillview Church feel honored to be
able to worship and serve God in this fine tabernacle today. It is our hope
that the spirit of God will make us a beacon of light reflecting the love of
Jesus to the surrounding community.
