It was the year 1939, the month September, when the Mayer’s Road Pentecostal Lighthouse was established in Mayer’s Road, My Lord’s Hill, St. Michael by Constance Albertha Waithe.
Sis. Waithe or Connie Waithe as she was affectionately called, was an evangelist at ‘Mother Hawkins’ Church in Bank Hall, St. Michael, when she was sent to assist a new work that had been established in Government Hill, St. Michael. She remained there for a while, before she felt the call of God to evangelize the surrounding communities, where under her ministry, many persons came into a relationship with the Lord.
Sis. Waithe felt the need to gather these newly converted together to be instructed in the Word of the Lord, and thus rented ‘Clarke’s Lodge Room’ in My Lord’s Hill where they could gather on Sundays.
As the numbers increased, Evangelist Waithe, believing that the Lord was calling her to establish a permanent ministry, constructed a wooden building in Mayer’s Road where the church is still located. Mother Waithe was a serious but charismatic leader, with a twinkle in her eye and a great love for the Lord.
Evangelist Waithe continued as Pastor until failing health prevented her from attending services in 1976. She went home to be with the Lord in 1986. Under her tenure, ministries were developed such as the Missionary and Prayer Bands, Evening Sunday School, Women’s Auxiliary and Youth Service.
A loyal band of workers assisted Pastor Waithe as she built the work of God and brought it under the umbrella of the United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God. Some of these workers were Evangelists Beryl Brathwaite, Iris Kelly, Enid Lynch, Sylvester Roach, Marjorie Masisah, Mabel and Evelyn Callender, Ulah Alleyne, Elders Llewellyn Hunte, Ishmael and Sargeant.
The mantle of leadership was passed to Evangelist Beryl Brathwaite, who, assisted by Evangelist Marjorie Massiah, continued the work of the Lord. Other ‘foundational members’ continued to work unceasingly as the church carried out its mandate to reach the lost for Christ. As Pastor Brathwaite’s health failed, the mantle was passed to Rev. Mechelle Massiah who became interim Pastor in 1997, and was officially installed as Pastor in September 2004.
Under her ministry, the work continues to grow as the word of God is preached ‘in season and out of season’, and upheld as the christian’s road map on our journey through earth to heaven.
Pastor Emeritus, Evangelist Beryl Brathwaite at 94 years is still alive and although house-bound, continues to witness for the Lord and prays for the success of this Ministry. Other founding members still alive, are Sis. Miriam Brewster (94) and Sis. Rosetta Best who is 104 years of age, still attends church on some Sundays.
The church sees itself as being called to ‘shine forth God’s light’ to a dying world and therefore, aims to ‘equip each believer to reach unbelievers.’
God is blessing us with a vibrant and enthusiastic band of young people who are engaged in Ministry ‘now’. Thus, the future of the church is in good hands.
The Lord has indeed been our help over the years as this Lighthouse has fed and clothed many, nurtured young men and women, giving them an opportunity to ‘hone’ their preaching and teaching skills, develop their giftings, whether music, drama, or other. This Lighthouse has truly been a lamp in the community, reaching out through its various activities to draw others to Christ. It has also served as the Headquarters for the Barbados District of the United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God.
We thank God for the faithful men and women who have given us a godly heritage. These stalwarts envisioned a new building and set about to turn a dream into reality. Many are not present to experience the fulfillment, the product of their prayers, but we know that they are praising God with us. Mayer’s Road Pentecostal Lighthouse is more than a place to worship. It is ‘our home’, where we fellowship together through the good times and the bad. A place that allows us to develop holistically.
We declare that the One who called us into being; the One who has led us these years is our God and will be forever. To God be the glory.
So, as we reflect on 70 years of ministry, we can identify with the journey of the Israelites and with the message of our theme in 1 Samuel 7:12. We recognize that in our valley and mountain top experiences that God has been always with us. He indeed has been our help in times past, our help in the present and we are assured of His help in the future. Hitherto, has the Lord helped us.