A special day in Eight Mile Rock for the Bartlett family

By MEGAN STUART

Freeport News Intern

Under the theme, "Bind us together, Lord," the Bartlett family, one of the oldest families in the Eight Mile Rock settlement, came together Sunday morning at St. Stephen's Anglican Church to celebrate family day.

The service was in keeping with the church's tradition of recognizing and honouring the oldest families in the community.

The program began with the family's historian, Paulette Bartlett-Russell, highlighting contributions made to the church by members of the family over the years.

"St. Stephen's Anglican church, built in 1851, is considered to be the oldest church on the island, and the Bartletts are among the oldest families in the Church," said Bartlett-Russell.

"We were unable to ascertain that Robert 'Pa Roberts' Bartlett came from the United Kingdom, but all the information that I've found so far seems to point to the United Kingdom," she noted speaking of the family's patriarch.

Bartlett-Russell said that the family's contribution to the church's growth was both physical and spiritual, and "as a family we continue to contribute today."

Through her research, Bartlett-Russell found that the windows of the church built by 'Pa Roberts' were of a particular English style and it spread throughout the Eight Mile Rock community as his signature trend.

"As far as the church is concerned 'Pa Roberts' was essential in the building of the first portion of the structure."

In later years 'Pa Roberts' grandsons, Reeves Bartlett and Errol Martin, were instrumental in building the extension that remains today.

Bartlett-Russell shared how members of the family continue their daily contributions to the church as members of the Vestry Board, Sunday School teachers, choir members and lay readers.

"Millicent Bartlett is instrumental in fund-raising and beautification events, including decorating the church at Christmas, and Veronica Bartlett has headed many ministries at St. Stephen's," she added. "James Bartlett served as catechist in the church and his son Preston as sexton. Without any assistance, Preston, better known as "Ole' P," made sure that the church was open for every single occasion and he was there to close and lock the doors ensuring that the church was secure. It was only after his death that we realised how much he did in and around the church."

Bartlett-Russell noted that members "of this family serve in basically every ministry in the church, but that is mininum compared to what they have done in the past."

"However, we will continue to contribute to the growth and ministry of St. Stephen's," she promised.

Following the family historic higlights, the Bartlett family choir performed the popular spiritual 'Ancient Words.'

Continuing in their ancestor's footsteps, president of the organzing committee for the event, Mildred Stuart — along with the organizing committee — presented the church with a 'Tabernacle,' a miniture building that houses the bread and wine which represent the body and blood of Christ and used during communion.

"It was a very difficult task collecting the funds neccessary to purchase the gift, but it is one we felt would be useful to and appreciated by the church in the years to come," said Stuart. "The family day service was a huge success. Our family really came out in large numbers, demonstrating our continued support of St. Stephen's."

Father Hugh Arlington Bartlett, who grew up in St. Stephen's, served as moderator, standing in for Rev. Rudolph V. Cooper, as a guest priest and delivering the sermon.

"We were very excited to have Hugh here with us today and his sermon was a timely one, highlighting the importance of family and encouraging the men in the family to be good role models for their children," said Stuart.

Family Day provided the Bartletts an avenue to share their history in the church and community, as well as establish relationships with relatives living in Grand Bahama and those visiting from New York, Ft. Lauderdale and Nassau.

"This experience created and helped us renew family bonds and that is so very important and we intend to keep it up," said Bartlett-Russell.

© 2008 The Freeport News