A brief history of the Haitian Congregation of the Good Samaritan
The Rev Dickens Celestin – May his soul rest in peace – founded the Haitian Congregation of the Good Samaritan in February 1972 under the name of Haitian Church community Development Project (HCDP). Fr. Dickens wanted to help many Haitian citizens who left their country in quest of a better life to settle in New York.
With the help of the late Right Rev. Paul Moore, many programs were created and were able to lend a helping hand to those in need. Daycare center, after school program, job placement, clerical program were among the many activities of the church.
Besides these community programs, Fr Dickens found it crucial to pursue his spiritual calling. Thus, on February 9th, 1972 he gathered some Episcopalians he knew back in Haiti and celebrated the first Haitian Episcopalian Eucharist at all Angels Episcopal Church located at 257 West 81st street corner of Broadway. At least tree people present at that celebration are still active member of our congregation: Mrs Fanie Reimbeau, Mr Kernizan Bertrand and Mr André Noice Louissaint. That was the beginning of a great ministry that we are all savouring the fruits until today and, we pray, for many years to come.
For 30 years, the church has been moving from one place to another. From All angels to St Ignatius, to St Edwards the Martyr, back to All Angels, then to St Mary’s and since 2002, we are using St Georges Episcopal Church building in the Bronx. Many priests have contributed to the ongoing ministry of our church: Dickens Celestin(1972-1980), Auguste Pluviose(1980-1985), Dickens Celestin for a 2nd term (1986-1987), Right Rev Rigal Elysée (1987-1989), Pierre André Duvert (1992-1995 and the first member of the congregation ordained to priesthood), Rev Felix Sanon (1997-2007).
Today we are all excited in welcoming Louis B. Nathanael Saint-Pierre to be our 7th priest in charge. Rev Saint-Pierre started to work with us since July 2007 succeeding the very fruitful ministry of Rev Felix Sanon, now retired.
We pray God to give him the charisma to feed us with words and sacraments, the patience to pursue his plan for change and the wisdom to achieve it keeping the community united around the table and the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many challenges are waiting for him: an aging congregation in need for renewal, developing programs and activities that can attract the youth and connect them with their roots, emphasise such a strong sense of membership that the distance and time one has to dedicate for travelling to attend the celebration in the Bronx, cease to be a handicap, test and implement new ways of doing and being a church. We’ve made history for 36 years of existence in New York. We are ready to start another page of, we hope, positive and productive history.
Original text by Wilson Estil Alterated to fit the occasion.