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Archival description
Informal Religion
CA BI T-559 · Item · 1985

File consists of two audio reels that feature sound recordings of a speech presented by Reverend Vincent Waterman at St. Philip's African Orthodox Church to the Friends of Whitney Pier that outlines the history of the Church.

Track listing is as follows:
Side A:

  • History of A.O.C. priests, problems, establishment, etc.; Pier not an "ethnic ghetto," Synod in Pier
  • Trained by American Catholic Church, Endich Theological Seminary
  • Commitment to A.O.C.
  • Majority of Blacks belong to either United or Anglican or Catholic Churches
  • More support from whites, negative defeatist attitude in Sydney
  • Need for pride in community
  • Informal religion and A.O.C.
  • Father came in 1940
  • Sunday very important day, always dress up for church

Side B:

  • Christmas preparations, food and customs
  • Sermons based on gospel
  • Holy days
  • Christmas celebrations
  • Women in church
  • Prayers
  • Superstition, preach good behaviours, no African Methodist Episcopalian Churches in Nova Scotia
  • Brought up very strict
  • Awareness of African Heritage
  • Food was very important, West Indian dishes
  • Linguistics, dialects
  • Further from Cuba, mother from Antigua
  • Many left A.O.C.; Very discouraging at times
CA BI T-730 · File · 1974
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

File consists of two audio reels that feature sound recordings of of Dr. Leo W. Bertley of the United Negro Improvement Association discussing the organization and its history in Cape Breton.

Track listing is as follows:
Side A:

  • Came to Cape Breton in 1974 to do research, C.B. U.N.I.A. people involved
  • Thesis to be controlled into book
  • U.N.I.A. not a West Indian organization, people of African descent tied together
  • Marcus Garvey, here on way to England
  • A.O.C. in Pier, Bishop MacGuire, U.N.I.A., tried to make A.O.C. established church of organization
  • Dr. Alvinus Calder, first president of organizations; W.E. Robertson was a later Bishop
  • Phillis Family
  • Sydney had three associations; West Indian and Black characteristics

Side B:

  • Various backgrounds, several different organizations; West Indians importance of education; Dr. Bertley's other interests
  • A.O.C. has only one church in Canada and it's in Whitney Pier, do not want to be called Africans
  • Marcus Garvey stressed the importance of maintaining archives
  • Bertley met Garvey's son
Item · 1980

Item is a report that features information about the Black, Jewish, Newfoundland and Eastern European communities in Whitney Pier. The report pays special attention to issues faced by the Black Quarter, including racism and out-migration, and features population statistics for the years 1961-1980. Part of the report also focuses on the establishment of St. Philip's African Orthodox Church (1921).

The Blacks of Whitney Pier
CA BI T-2083 · File · 1983

File consists of two audio reels that feature sound recordings of Vernon Tull being interviewed by Elizabeth Beaton about the Black population in Whitney Pier.

Track listing is as follows:
Side A:

  • Genealogical sketch
  • Early African Orthodox Church in Cape Breton
  • Religions practised by West Indians before the African Orthodox Church
  • Building Church
  • Archdeacon Phillips
  • Succession of priests and wardens
  • Keeping the records of the church
  • Discussion of architectural changes
  • Discussion of the different features of the Church
  • Financial Support Systems for the Church
  • Musical bands in the community

Side B:

  • War experiences
  • Early people who contributed to community
    i-30- The African Orthodox Church and young people
  • Connection to United Mission
  • Menelik Hall, Dr. Calder
  • Traditional Barbaian music
  • Cricket teams at Whitney Pier pre 1941
  • Traditional foodways
  • William Fitzgerald; owned much property at the Pier