EXUMA, The Bahamas — St. Andrew’s Anglican School marked a historic milestone with the official commissioning, dedication, and blessing of its new two-story classroom block, a major development made possible through faith, perseverance, generosity, and the support of the parish, school, community, donors, and friends abroad.
The ceremony brought together church leaders, educators, donors, supporters, and community stakeholders who played an important role in bringing the project to completion during the 2025–2026 academic year.
Among those in attendance were Bishop Laish Z. Boyd, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands; Harry Bain, Chairman of the Anglican Central Education Authority; Alphonso W. Major Jr., Director of Education and Supervision for the Anglican Central Education Authority; members of the St. Andrew’s Anglican School Board; Mrs. Rosemary Pintard-Bowe; Principal Tamara Moncur and the staff of St. Andrew’s Anglican School; former principals Dr. Evans and G. Leon Mars; Rector Rev. Chitan Thompson-Darling; and former Rector Fr. Ethan Ferguson.
“This is the culmination of a long, arduous, and multifaceted effort,” Bishop Boyd said. “It was a collaboration with many, many stakeholders in the community and abroad. The fact that it came together so seamlessly and has been accomplished is an indication of the togetherness, love, and commitment to the school of so many people.”
Bishop Boyd said the new building will also help address the practical needs of the school as it continues to serve students in Exuma.
“The building relieves the pressure of the functioning of the school, providing adequate spaces for classes and other activities,” he said. “To God be the glory.”
Remarks were delivered by Cecil Smith, Deputy Chairman of the St. Andrew’s Anglican School Board and Project Manager, as well as by Chairman Harry Bain and Bishop Boyd. The official blessing and dedication of the building were conducted by Bishop Boyd and Fr. Tristan Lockhart, Chaplain and Dean of Students of St. Andrew’s Anglican School.
Alphonso W. Major Jr. described the occasion as “a significant milestone in the history of St. Andrew’s Anglican School,” noting that the new classroom block reflects the continued growth and development of Anglican education in Exuma.
“The unveiling of the commemorative plaque symbolized not only the completion of a new educational facility, but also the continued growth and development of Anglican education in Exuma,” Major said. “We give thanks to Almighty God for His blessings and to all who contributed to making this vision a reality. May this new facility serve generations of students for many years to come.”
Rev. Chitan Thompson-Darling, Rector, reflected on the long journey that led to the dedication, acknowledging the role of former Rector Fr. Ethan Ferguson and others who helped begin the work of sustaining and strengthening the school.
“Father Ferguson and others started a campaign, and because of that, they were able to raise funds to keep the school going,” Rev. Thompson-Darling said. “That was a big part of how we are here today.”
She said the completion of the classroom block speaks to the strength of the relationship between the parish, the school, and the wider Exuma community.
“It shows the relationship of parish, school, and community that is essential for our growth and development,” she said. “The community has been a big part of it, and international friends have also come in to assist and stand up for the school.”
Rev. Thompson-Darling added that the building represents an important step forward, while also pointing toward the school’s continued future development.
“This enables us, with our present growth, to offer more space and do more things,” she said. “The ultimate goal is to continue moving toward a modern campus with amenities that will serve our students and community well into the future. In all things, we give God the honour and glory for bringing this to fruition.”
For Fr. Ethan Ferguson, former Rector, being present for the dedication was deeply personal and spiritual.
“Participating and being present for the dedication was a beautiful moment for me,” Fr. Ferguson said. “It was a holy moment, because for me it was watching come to fruition what I feel God had showed us was possible.”
Fr. Ferguson recalled the uncertainty the school faced in 2020, when its future was in question, and supporters were challenged to raise funds to keep it going.
“In 2020, we were given the ultimatum of raising funds to keep the school going, we started massive renovations to the campus,” he said. “We envisioned a new block in that place. We envisioned the need for it, a permanent structure to replace the trailers that, despite our best efforts, were not up to standard, and were not a place that we wanted our children to be permanently fixed in.”
He said the challenge was how to fund the vision, but he believed that if the school remained and the community committed to its future, support would come.
“In the proposal that I wrote to the Diocesan Council in reference to the way forward for St. Andrew’s School, I explicitly stated that should we keep the school going and make a commitment to the school’s tenure in the community, there would be donors and benefactors who would assist the school’s growth, development, and further progress in the community,” Fr. Ferguson said.
As he watched the building being blessed, Fr. Ferguson said he was reminded that hope and faith can emerge from difficult circumstances.
“I was reminded that all things are possible,” he said. “Even out of a difficult and hard circumstance, a situation in which we thought we would have lost our school community, out of that terrible ordeal came something beautiful. The community came together. The well-wishers and benefactors of St. Andrew’s Parish and the Exuma community came together and ensured that our children would have a sound building to receive their education and instruction.”
He described the completed building as “the fulfillment of a part of the dream.”
“It is a reminder that God is able,” Fr. Ferguson said. “Once God gives the vision, He makes the provision.”
Fr. Ferguson also reflected on the early work that helped prepare the campus for renewal.
“It was an emotional moment for me to sit there remembering how we toted sand and cleaned up that campus, put in new play sets for the kids, painted and did all that stuff, and how we wished and hoped and prayed for a new building right in that spot,” he said. “Then to see the building standing there at no cost to the diocese, at no cost to the school community, but completely 100 percent donated, I think, is amazing.”
The dedication of the new two-story classroom block stands as a testament to the faith, sacrifice, and shared commitment of many individuals and organizations who believed in the future of St. Andrew’s Anglican School. It honours those who laid the foundation, recognizes those who helped bring the project to completion and points toward continued growth for Anglican education in Exuma.
“To God be the glory for the great things He has done,” Major said. “Many thanks to the donors and community supporters who made this all possible.”
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