In true biblical fashion, when a number of women made their mark on the early church and Christianity – in many ways, Anguillian, Sister Evalie Bradley, is using her private kitchen to raise well-needed funds for the restoration of the Bethel Methodist Church.
The historic chapel, built by slaves from the Trans-Atlantic voyages, was badly damaged by Hurricane Irma in September 2017 when, as one of its misfortunes, over the years, more than half of its roof was ripped off. For a time the faithful members worshipped in the severely-damaged chapel, shifting here and there, from rain and the sun. When they could no longer bear the untenable situation, they began worshipping in the nearby Church Hall which also serves as a Methodist pre-school.
It has taken a long time for the Bethel church building to be restored while restoration work was also taking place at the historic Ebenezer Chapel in The Valley, the oldest Methodist Church in the Caribbean – still functioning. With the restoration and fund-raising work completed there, attention began to be concentrated on the renovation of Bethel Chapel. The Leeward Islands District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas is said to be a source of financing, but members of Bethel’s faithful congregation are also making contributions in envelopes and collection bags.
One of the main tangible contributors is Sister Evalie Bradley, who holds several responsibilities. She is a longstanding Local Preacher; Church Steward; Class Leader; and occasionally operates a flea-market selling “new and gently-used” clothing, shoes and household items to raise funds for Bethel.
As a further effort to raise additional funds, she became a well-sought after chef of various forms of cuisine – attracting many persons from across the island to her Little Harbour residence and kitchen. A big treat awaits them there every Saturday morning from about seven o’clock. A little after sunrise on Saturday, September 4, she was almost finished cooking and baking when the crowd started gathering. Sister Evalie’s assistant is Sandra Carty, one of her well-known Class Members at Bethel. Sandra usually turns up very early in her teacher’s kitchen, assists her with her chores and then goes off to Romcan Supermarket, at South Hill, where she is a cashier.
She is very fond of Sister Evalie. “I am helping my Class Leader to get the roof on Bethel Church sometime in the future, as we are now nearing the end of 2021,” she said. “We are trying very hard every Saturday, and I am doing the best I can. From here I go to work – so it is from work to work. Sister Evalie is a very hard-working person as well as I am. We have the same birth sign in October. I am the 6th and she is the 12th.”
Commenting on her work, Sister Evalie stated: “I started this cuisine project about a year now and we have a good customer base not only of Methodists, but persons from all over the island. Every Saturday morning the boys come and get their souse, hot Johnny cakes and everything else. In these pots I have souse, pig tail, chicken soup, meat soup and fish soup – and basically every week we are sold out. I have some really good customers, and I am very appreciative and grateful for the support I am getting from them – so that I can help the church.
“So far, I have already taken over 20,000 EC dollars to the church. Occasionally I get contributions from some persons – whether in cash or in kind – but largely I work on my own strength to raise funds in my kitchen.”
She says some persons are making donations in envelopes and collection bags directly to the church – but now with COVID it is a real struggle. “People are not working, and the church attendance is not what it used to be, so this is impacting the funds we are collecting, “she added.
Outside her kitchen, and the church, Sister Evalie, up until June, 2020, was the Ministerial Assistant in the former Ministry of Home Affairs – and continues to be a very busy person. “I still do my community work, and this is a good way to keep busy,” she observed. “I am helping people when they want something done. They solicit my help in getting forms completed and so on. Just the other day there was a guy with a problem to get his car licensed and I was able to get it untangled for him.”
“So you are somewhat like a Good Samaritan,” The Anguillian told her.
“Yes, all the time,” she replied.
“And would say you are a beloved person?”
“I think so, yes.”
One of the young men at the breakfast tables, on Sister Evalie’s scenic porch, overlooking Little Harbour, was Dale Carty of the classy Tasty’s Restaurant. Asked why he was at her Kitchen, he remarked: “I just love the awesome soups that she makes, and every Saturday morning it is my treat to come out here and enjoy a bowl of soup with friends.”
Among the others present was Perin Bradley, the Deputy Governor – Mrs. Bradley’s son. “The only comment I have is that she is my mother,” he grinned.
