Speaking on the history and
evolution of the Spiritual Baptist religion, Apostolic Bishop and
ecclesiastical head of Faith International Spiritual Baptist Convention,
Bernard Primus, noted that there need to be changes in literature concerning
the first Spiritual Baptist organization in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Apostolic Bishop said that contrary to the book, ‘Joy Cometh in the
Morning’ which depicts the history of the Spiritual Baptist religion, “there
is a missing link of thought.” Primus added that he has expressed his
concern to the authors of the book.
He explained, “Even though in 1917 we had the Shouter Prohibition
Ordinance enacted by Legislative Council and repealed in 1951, in 1942 there
was a Spiritual Baptist organization registered. As a result of this
organization, West Indian United Spiritual Baptist Sacred Order (W.I.U.S.B.S.O.),
Inc., we had the first Spiritual Baptist Ministers.”
The West Indian United Spiritual Baptist Sacred Order, Inc., Primus
emphasized, was the first registered organization in terms of recognition of
the Spiritual Baptists.
Among these founding fathers, he noted was his Spiritual father, Bishop
Harvey Glaude, and also Bishops Clifford Cato, Christopher Myers and
Sandiford. Bishop Sandiford, Primus said, has been acknowledged as the first
Spiritual Baptist Bishop in Trinidad and Tobago.
In his bid to edify the gathering, Bishop Primus pointed out another
misconception in the religion. This topic, the Center pole, he noted has
raised many discussions.
He explained, “In the earlier days our Elders worshipped in carat-houses
in the bushes. The Center pole was only put there to hold the structure in
place.” (A carat-house, also called a thatch-house, is made of mud and palm
branches).
He added that in the church today, when a pilgrimage visits another
church, the host church often times appear to ‘guard’ the Center pole,
signifying great importance of the Center pole.
“It has now become part of the fabric of the church,” he concluded.
