The spiritual, religious and societal life of Anguilla has been dealt an unfortunate blow by the passing of the Reverend Dr. Ambrose Richardson, 72, Senior Pastor of the long-established Christian Fellowship Church on the Blowing Point Road. The popular, well-respected and beloved church leader died on Tuesday morning this week, August 25, in Puerto Rico, where he was receiving treatment.
He was the husband of the Reverend Dr. Kathleen Richardson, his life-long companion and Co-Pastor of the Christian Fellowship Church. It is some fifty years now since they, as a husband and wife team, developed and steered the ministry of the church with the support and cooperation of many leading persons among the growing congregation. Pastor Ambrose was the father of four sons – Pastor Carl Richardson in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Clyde Richardson, a Building Contractor, and the Honourable Minister of Infrastructure, Curtis Richardson, both of whom are in Anguilla; and Clinton Richardson who died several years ago, but is fondly remembered.
Gifted with a booming and resonating voice, and a quick IQ, Pastor Ambrose was an outstanding and influential communicator. He was regarded and highly admired as one of Anguilla’s most outspoken, fervent and powerful preachers. Yet, he possessed a winsome and charismatic personality which endeared him to all segments and persons among the island’s population, including the membership of his church, now lamenting his passing.
His earlier life revealed a gentleman who respectfully, ambitiously and diligently worked his way through various areas of humble life and livelihood, becoming the kind of person described above. After a period of years, residing and working in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, as part of the Anguillian diaspora there, he returned home in 1967 in the heart of the Anguilla Revolution.
The island was in a chronic depressed economic state at the time, but the resilient young Ambrose, then in his mid-20s, quickly adjusted to the hard life on the ‘Rock’, and to live by his wits like all the other island folk. He became a taxi-driver when tourism was grossly under-developed, but his eyes were fixed on becoming involved in religious ministry. He soon fulfilled his dream, beginning a church with eight founding members along with his wife.
Today, the much-expanded Christian Fellowship Church has over 400 active members – among them being a host of energetic and young people – all nurtured, mentored and influenced by Pastor Ambrose, his wife and other leaders. He has been a very thoughtful, democratic and progressive churchman who has worked diligently to prepare, appoint and ordain a number of persons in the positions of Reverends, Music Ministers and Praise and Worship Ministers and Leaders, much to his credit and exemplary leadership.
It is understood that Pastor Ambrose was aware that he was nearing the time of his departure, and had made the necessary pastoral arrangements for the continuation of the ministry he started some five decades ago.
Anguilla and the religious fraternity are spiritually and socially poorer with the demise of this ‘larger-than-life’ and greatly-admired personality and Christian leader.
The Anguillian offers its heartfelt condolences to the immediate and extended family of the Reverend Dr. Ambrose Richardson and his supportive and well-ordered church family as well.
