The Fairchild Street Terminal has officially been renamed after the late Granville Williams, Archbishop of the Sons of God Apostolic Church.
During a cultural and spiritually enriched ceremony held in Golden Square, The City, on Saturday, members of the Sons of God Apostolic Church’s congregation, as well as other cultural and governmental dignitaries paid tribute and recognise the wide-reaching contributions the Archbishop made towards the religious and cultural legacy on the island.
In her remarks, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Works and Water Resources, Santia Bradshaw said Williams was indeed a spiritual man, who was well known for his moving services in The City where Barbadians from all walks of life would attend. She said it was his respect and admiration for Black heritage and african roots, which took his form of worship to another level.
“The fact that Archbishop Williams did not shy away from his African roots was a testimony to his faith and his pride in Black heritage, in identity, and in empowerment, and this was at a time when many Barbadians were just beginning to embrace their African ancestry.
“Referred to by Ambassador to CARICOM, David Comissong, as a giant in Caribbean civilization, it was under his leadership that the Apolstolic Church developed strong relationships with cultural groups such as the Barbados Landship, Israel Lovell Foundation, Dancing Africa and the Clement Payne Movement.”
His spiritual influence across the island made such an impact, according to Bradshaw, that the Government of the time made the conscious decision to incorporate Williams and his church deeper into the growing cultural revolution during the 1970s.
“His movement made such traction that a parade of the Sons of God Apolostic Church performing the stations of cross through communities in the city, became synonymous with the celebration of Easter, and in 1978 in recognition of the impact which Granville was having across communities, the then Minister of Culture, Sir Louis Tull. invited the Spiritual Baptist Church to participate in the opening of the Crop Over Festival.
“The Government of the time under the leadership of Prime Minister Tom Adams at that point, recognised the benefits of having a more inclusive approach to cultural democracy in the transformation of Barbados. That relationship solidified over the years with the Apostolic Church becoming one of the more integral components of the Crop Over festival … both in terms of its culinary expertise and indeed performance.”
She added, “The people and the Government of Barbados appreciates the contribution that he has made to Barbados’ cultural and religious development, and I am confident that his granddaughter who is here with us this evening, and also those members of the church who understand the foundation that he has laid, who understand that their voices must continue to be heard, that they [also] have a place and a role to play in the historical development of this country, that the late Archbishop Williams’ legacy continues for generations to come.” (SB)
