During the Post War years New Providence experienced a population increase in the southern area of Nassau. The area south of Wulff Road increased in residents from other areas of Nassau and the Family Islands.
Seeing this need Canon John Calnan the Rector of St. Barnabas along with its members and the Diocese established a presence in Ridgeland Park to enable the pastoral care and nurturing of the people of God to take place. So the church Christ The King was founded and ever since has grown from strength to strength.
Since our foundation we have had four incumbents: Canon John Calnan, Archdeacon Murillo Bonaby, Father Samuel Sturrup and Archdeacon I. Ranfurly Brown.
In 1999 the church was fully renovated. The roof was removed, tiles taken up, the steeple raised, all seating were refinished and new stained glass windows installed. Finally, In April 2000 the church was rededicated. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful churches in Nassau.
This Cross called in Latin Christus Rex from which Christ The King shares its name, has an interesting historical background attached to it.
During the early part of the 20th century, after many of the European Countries where taken over by the Communists, much of the artifacts representing christianity were destroyed. The churches were converted into museums. An Anglican Priest in Bucharest, Romania at the time, was fortunate in having this cross smuggled out of that country and shipped it to his home parish in London.
In the early sixties Canon John Calnan (as he frequently did) happened to be visiting London during the summer. While visiting that particular parish, he discovered that this cross was not being put to any useful purpose. He asked for the cross and the cross was given to him without hesitation.
This was during the period he was contemplating starting a "Mission Church" to service the growing area south of St. Barnabas. Hence the name "Christ The King" was born.
Information supplied by Mr. James Weech
The cross is very symbolic. Firstly it depicts Jesus as a Priest with the vestments usually worn by a Priest, Chasuable, Maniple, Alb and Stole can be seen worn by Jesus on the Cross. Secondly, Jesus is depicted as a Martyr with his arms outstretched. A closer look at the Christus rex will reveal scars in his hands and feet. Lastly, Jesus is seen as a King with the Crown atop his head.
Above Jesus' head is the visage of a Human, at his right and left hands are images of a Lion and the other an Oxen. At his feet is the image of an Eagle. These are common symbols of the evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They symbolize the approach each used in their version of the Gospel. Matthew (The Human Face) depict Jesus as the Son of Man. Mark (The Lion) emphasizing Jesus as a Divine King. Luke, (The Oxen formally used by Jews as a sacrifice to God ) Characterises Jesus Offering himself as a sacrifice. Lastly the Eagle (The Highest Flying Bird) underscores Jesus as The Divine Mystery.
When I was a child, I was taught certain "buzz words" such as "Christian community", "brotherhood", & "the mystical body of Christ". I could parrot back the definition of these terms, but didn't truly know their meaning until I Ranfurly Brown and the wonderful people of Nassau and Bimini. I and my Youth Group had come to your islands on mission trips, to do good work & to live God's words. Instead in God's usual way, the good works were done to us. Your enormous generosity and hospitality enwrapped us in the love of Christ. You took us in and made us one of you. You taught us the true meaning of those "buzz words".
After several years of this loving relationship Ranfurly asked me to design a logo for his new parish Christ The King a crown being the obvious choice. And after experiencing the lesson you all taught me the design was obvious too.
All of us living as brothers and sisters in Christ's love make up Christ's Crown. His love for us all, for him and each other are more precious than any gems or jewels that we could crown him with. And within that crown we are gems & jewels for each other. This is the cherished family of man, the Community of God, the Mystical Body of Christ.
This is the jewel that Ranfurly Brown and the people of The Bahamas gave me. They made me aware that I'm part of their family. Designing the logo was easy & a joy to celebrate that gift.