Kingstown St. Vincent May 21, 2026-The Spiritual Baptist faith is a “cornerstone of Vincentian heritage” and a defining part of national identity, Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs and National Heritage Shevern John has said.
Addressing National Spiritual Baptist Freedom Day celebrations at Independence, the minister described the religion as more than a system of worship, calling it a living expression of culture, resilience and nationhood.
She spoke during commemorations marking 75 years of the faith’s formal journey, under the theme “75 and Alive: Honouring our journey, our resilience, our freedom in unity.”
According to the minister, the theme reflected not only survival but also continuity and collective identity. She said the Spiritual Baptist community had endured persecution and emerged stronger, describing its history as one of “triumph” and resilience.
In her address, Ms John recalled the historical suppression of the Spiritual Baptist movement, noting that it was outlawed in 1912 under what she described as the Shakerism Prohibition Order, which criminalised worship and led to the persecution of believers.
Despite this, she said the community preserved its traditions in secrecy, maintaining ceremonies, songs, dances and prayer practices until legal and social change began to take shape.
She pointed to a 1951 court ruling that marked a turning point in the struggle for religious freedom, followed by the repeal of restrictive laws in 1965. These developments, she said, transformed the faith’s public standing “from oppression into liberation.”
“Freedom was not given lightly. It was won through struggle, sacrifice, and faith in God,” she said.
Ms John urged the Spiritual Baptist community to maintain unity and discipline as it moves forward, saying the faith must remain grounded in its values while adapting to future generations. She highlighted the importance of youth participation, encouraging young people to continue traditions and see their faith as a source of strength rather than something to be hidden.
Quoting biblical passages, she reinforced messages of resilience, moral instruction and spiritual grounding, urging the community to “train up a child in the way he should go” and to remain “rooted and grounded” in faith.