The Life & TImes of Reverend Samuel Bernard Pinder. Long Serving Pastor

Born in 1918 to Sarah Frances Demeritte and Samuel Henry Pinder, Samuel Bernard Pinder was one of four children born to his mother who grew up on Cupid's Cay, Governor's Harbour where he became one of the most influential Eleutherans of his time.

Born in 1918 to Sarah Frances Demeritte and Samuel Henry Pinder, Samuel Bernard Pinder was one of four children born to his mother who grew up on Cupid's Cay, Governor's Harbour where he became one of the most influential Eleutherans of his time. As a baby he was christened in St. Patrick's Anglican Church on the order of his father (he confesses), only to be spiritually nurtured in Ebenezer Baptist Church as a child and young adult. "Oh, I remember the days when I went to church with no shoes on", claims Rev. Pinder as he sat up in his bed as I interviewed him on that beautiful Tuesday afternoon. With a delightful smile on his face, Rev. Pinder was quite pleased to give accounts of some of his life's stories as they affected his life and the lives of others around him. So today, along with some of the rich history of Governor's Harbour that he has shared with me, I share with you the early life and times of Rev. Pinder as Ebenezer Baptist Church honoured him this past year. Who is Rev. Samuel Bernard Pinder? As I continued the interview, Rev. Pinder informed me that he was christened by an Anglican Priest named Fr. Bernard Langston. During this Episcopal baptism, Fr. Langston gave him his (Fr. Langston's ) middle name - 'Bernard' instead of Henry, which was given by his father. Rev. Pinder unfortunately never knew his biological father, (he went to America to work on the 'Project' and never returned). His mother gave him to his grandparents as a young child; hence he was brought up by them. They were relatively God-fearing people who were not well-off but gave him love, a stable home and instilled sound moral values in his life. His grandfather's name was Charles Demeritte Sr. of Governor's Harbour and his grandmother was Ida Elizabeth Allen-Demeritte, formally of Tarpum Bay. He attended the All-Age School in Governor's Harbour where back then, the highest class was called 'standard 6' (which only the more intelligent students reached). He made it to standard 5, making him one of the 'better than average' students of his time. His school master in those days was Mr. James Garfield Poitier, a native of Orange Creek, Cat Island. How he became Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church. As a young boy, he attended Sunday School often, and as he grew older he became a Sunday School teacher. During this time, he became a lay-reader in the church. Eventually, after struggling with his walk with God, he sensed the call to the Ministry through the Spirit of the Lord and he converted his life fully to Christ. Then on October 12th, 1941 during a revival meeting at Nassau's Metropolitan Baptist Church, Hay Street west, he was called to the Altar where four Bahamian pastors and evangelists prayed with him about his call to the Ministry. The revival was attended by evangelists and other believers from Tennessee. This event proved to be a heart-stirring time in Rev. Pinder's life. The four men who prayed with him were: Rev. H. W. Brown of Hatchet Bay, Rev. R. E. Cooper of George Town, Exuma, Rev. A. S. Colebrooke of Andros and Rev. E. C. Grant of the Bluff, North Eleuthera. (Three of these Pastors eventually earned Doctorates of Theology through refresher courses later on in their lives) After this heart stirring experience, Rev. Pinder was called to preach at Ebenezer Baptist Church on his return home. He eventually received his 'deep water' baptism by Rev. Levan Johnson of Andros. This event took place in the water in front of Florene Demeritte's home on Cupid's Cay and Rev. Pinder claims it was and will always be a memorable time for him. In the late 1940's he was ordained as a minister in Nassau by the order of Ebenezer Baptist Church. The ordination was performed by the late Rev. Enoch Beckford Sr. of Long Island. It was not too long afterwards that the church ordered his marriage officer's license from Nassau. Rev. Pinder - The Job Holder. As we continued into the interview, Rev. Pinder then turned my attention to the many positions he held in the community. He boasted of having 12 to 14 job descriptions; most of during the same time. He was a taxi driver, police constable, post master, jailor, traffic officer, court prosecutor, justice of the peace, pastor, keeper of registry of births and deaths, tender of the flags and tender of the pauper's allowance (distribution of food to the poor). He was also a customs and immigration officer. He recalls as a court prosecutor and police constable, when he out-witted two lawyers named Mr. Dupuch and Mr. Callender during a case in Nassau, where the Chief of the C.I.D. (Central Investigation Department) Mr. Russell, an Englishman of Scotland Yard was highly impressed with the way he handled himself and the case, eventually asking Rev. Pinder if he would like to work with him in Nassau permanently. Ofcourse, Rev. Pinder declined the offer, responding, "I love Eleuthera too much and I dare not leave it right now". Upon receiving his marriage license, the first couple he married was Gladstone Petty of Governor's Harbour and the former Eloise Thompson of Gregory Town. Rev. Pinder also recalls that history shows that the very first Pastor of Ebenezer was Rev. Jeremiah Demeritte (his great-grand uncle) and he is presently the 10th Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church. He claims that the church was first called Union Baptist Church and then Ebenezer Baptist Church. He was married to the former Elizabeth Louise Stubbs who predeceased him in 1960. He is a father to three children with his wife, Samuel Jr., Leroy (deceased) and Iva, and fathered two children with the late Leola Bethel - Sonny and Sally. He has two brothers, Edney Harcourt Pinder, commonly known as Calypso Ed, and Leroy Pinder who was born in America. He had two sisters who predeceased him - Mrs. Jessie Pinder-Moss of Governor's Harbour and Mrs. Charlotte Pinder of the United States. Rev. Pinder shared fond memories of many families in the community of Governor's Harbour, particularly the Bethels, Petty's, Rolle's and Demerittes, especially Ms. Merlene Petty and Mrs. Florene Demeritte, as they were all the same age. Rev. Pinder states that he loves Eleuthera dearly and remembers that this island went through three different names before settling with the name 'Eleuthera' - Sagitoo, Cigatoo and Eleutheria (which means freedom). He looks forward to the day when he can meet his Saviour and feels at peace knowing what a glorious day that will be for him . So, my brothers and sisters, let us continue to remember to pray for Rev. Pinder and his family as well as his chuch family. Let us continue to give God thanks for the good he has done in his life and the effect he has had on the people in his community, his island and his nation; and while he still has breath, let us continue to pray that he remains strong in his faith. Rev. Pinder recently had hip surgery early in 2008 and has recently returned to Eleuthera (in March). The surgery was a success and he is doing fine considering his situation. He is now 89 years old and even though his body continues to age, his mind seems to continue to be a sharp historical museum. By E. ROSCOE ROLLE

Copyright, The Eleutheran News Agency 2008-2010.

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