Who remembers "Sinners' Bench"; that special seat reserved for the village mischief makers outside of "Tabernacle" (Calvary Assembly of God)?

Growing up in Treasure Beach I heard many stories of the young men of the time congregating on that bench or nearby, having a good time amongst themselves, or drawing nearer to the service at times to give the young ladies inside a special wink or smile throught the windows.

Then there were those who gave their own special rendition of a particular hymn, much to the annoyance of the pastor: As the church members raised their voices in harmony and sang "Trust and Obey", the rogues outside answered with their own irreverent version: "Truss an Doan Pay"!

Their singing was usually not as harmonious and was often spiced with some special brew or other.

Of course many of these trouble makers would later mend their ways; marry one of the young ladies they had been after all along and eventually find themselves on the inside with the flock, giving testimony to their earlier wayward ways and encouraging their successors on the outside to follow their example.

Come now, share your own stories of "Sinners' Bench".

Nostalgic, I love your story but I'm not familiar with the church. Where is it located?

To say how close "Sinner's Bench" was to my home would be a giveaway but that is where my father used to meet with his friends and talk, laugh and have fun for hours. On the hot nights my mother and siblings used to sit out there as well to get some of the "cool mountain breeze". In an earlier post someone had suggested it got its name because this is where the husbands would wait for their wives after night service so since they did not join them they were naturally the sinners. The bench was actually a Lignum Vitae log, as I recall. Whenever I pass there I remember "dem good ole days'.

To "Love it":
I'm not sure how familiar you are with the area but "Tabernacle"/ "Tabba" is the church led by Pastor Wonlis Campbell.

It is situated in the vicinity of Frenchman and is part of the Assemblies of God denomination.

It is called "Tabba" mainly by the older residents of the community, who were there from the early days of its existence.

By the way, it is one of the oldest churches in lower Treasure Beach, with several of the others being break-aways from this original "mother church".

Thanks Nostalgic. I must have seen the church as a boy (looong time ago). I last saw Pastor Campbell when we were in Primary Sch. I was a year ahead of him. It's good to see he's found his calling.

How old is the church? If anyone has that answer it would be great to know!
It is probably more than 70 years old but I don't know precisely the year it was established.

Sinners bench is right across from aunt Girlie house. I remember vividly that dry lingomviate body next to mass Ren wire line. I dont know who created the name, but I know that Miss Enid, Miss Jemima, and aunt Girlie waited there for Miss Erline and miss Zenie on market days M W F to buy whatever they need.I believe that those were the best days and the most wonderful people that God has created. My parents are gone Pahark and Berry, but for the very few elderly left in TB I love and respect every single one of them. I am blessed to be a part of their lives and the memories of those that are gone and those that are alive will always be with me "PRECIOUS MEMORIES"

pearl,i read your post and when i see the people names you mentioned and especially my mom Jemima,miss Enid,auntie Erlind and miss Joe and all those people that past sinner bench going to church including me,you let me want to cry,those are wonderful memories,pls email when you see this post.

Miss Delphie I am blessed and honored to be a part of those wonderful people lives. Memories of all the elderly in Treasure Beach will always be with me. The values that I have learned from them makes me into a better person today.

What are some of the things we would be doing (back in the day) to prepare for Christmas and the New Year? I remember picnics at the school, the concerts, white washing the stones around the flowers and tree roots, just to mention a few.

Tabba was founded by Rev Cyril Huccabby, an evangalist who visited the area about 70 years ago. He held open air services in Crab Hole at first before he had a core group to start a church. I think Mass Joe Joe sold him the land on which it stands. Does anyone know where Crab Hole is?

No, Ray; where is Crab Hole?

crab hole is in great bay

Hi Ray I think it's beside where Mass Allie Parchment live by Frenchman seaside.

Crabhole is by the well adjoining Miss Ellen Ebanks' home. It is on the main road. I use to attend open air meetings there with uncle Stephen Ebanks and others as a child.

Hi Raymond, this is your cousin, long time no see.

Carol.

Carol you're right how are you? also Clinton, Cynthia.

Hi TB Native,

I am doing fine thanks and how are you even though I do not know who you are. Can you please identify yourself? Would really love to know who you are.

Clinton Carlton and Cynthia are doing fine as well.
Carol.

I think I will have to find a new name to give myself that no one in their mind would ever think of. In doing this I can always address when others use it incorrectly.
Why hide behind a name if you are genuine in your remarks.

Hi Carol,this is delphie,your old coworker from the Hub and school mate, can you drop me a email when you see this post, just click on my name above and you will see my email.Hope to hear from you soon.

Sinners Bench was where the sinners sat while the church service was going on, that was according to the members of the church.
They were mostly young men just hanging out having a good time.They were harmless.
I could name a few but I will just say one of them was my (Puppy Love) so I will go no farther.
Today we are all still friends but three of them have gone on to be with the Lord.

It wasn't just men that sat on that log.Women/girls sat there too but, on church nights it was mainly the guys.

Those were the good old days.

Hi Delphie,

I emailed you about three or four days ago, but have not heard from you. I also posted a note to you at the time I sent the email, but I have not seen the post. Maybe I did not hit "Post".

Hope to hear from you soon.

Carol.

Hi Csrol,
Just a little hint I email you a while back and said how I was I guess, you never get those email god bless you.

TB Native, Sorry, I have not received your emails.

Hope to hear from you soon. Maybe you can put something in the heading that will alert me that the email is not a spam.

God bless.

Carol.

Hi Carol,
I wish you would get in touch with me. I'd really like to hear from you, my pretty cousin.

Love you. Ray

It is amazing to see that Crab Hole has been reclaimed, and buildings put on it. It was just a swamp most of the year in days gone by. There were carb holes all over it. The entire area close to the road, west of the lane to Ervin Hamilton's house, to the lane up to Daisy Smith's house , was swamp land and was actually called 'Little Fish Pond'. 'Big Fish Pond' is that pond now fenced in that is beside the old Hamilton's property. It was really community land.

Hi Ray,

I would love to get in touch with you as well. I will get your phone number from Margaret, as we are in touch.
Thank you for the compliment. LOL.

Looking forward to communicating with you. I am sure you heard by now that Carmen passed yesterday and I will be going to Jamaica in a few days. It was very shocking as it was really sudden.

Love and God bless.

Carol.

HI Carol,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. I will email you when you return from Jamaica.
Give my regards to the others and I will surely remember you in my prayers.
Safe trip.

Jenny Reynolds writes re Assembly of God Ch.Cyril Huccaby was an intrigal part of the formation of the church.He stayed at our house on visits.No info.on this church is complete without remembering Ms Ennie and Dada James long time Pastors later Headly Gayle and ken Senior.We enjoyed sevices on our verandah but would show up at the windows with the Sinners bench crew to observe.Christmas Programs was the hilight of the season with Neville Reynolds as M.c.and Mrs Etna Ward songs bringing down the House.Nice to remember.Jenny.Reynolds Nelson.

Hi Murnel,
I am sorry for just thanking you for your prayers and kind regards, but this is my first time going back to this thread since I wrote the post on June 15.

Thank God I retured safely.

I have not received your email. Looking forward to receiving it.

God bless.

Carol.

Re: "Tabba" as we called it when I was a child in Treasure Beach, my sister Patricia Hill and I was regular sunday school members. We made fun of Ms. Ennie James when she preached about Paul`s journey in Asia minor which is today`s Turkey. (She would say: and Paul per adventure!) (had us cracking up) but today we know (per means through) Oh the lack of education then. I remembered her husband Dada also. Ken Senior was my brother-in-law who was also Pastor, but not when I was there. I`ve been away from Treasure Beach 50 years ago.

Hey there. There is a word 'peradventure' which means-perhaps (adverb) or chance, doubt or uncertainty-(noun)