Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Secular artistes including Beres Hammond, Gregory Isaacs and Beenie Man take centre stage seven days per week, but on Sunday mornings gospel acts Kirk Franklin, Grace Thrillers and Shirley Caesar upstage them.

For three hours every Sunday, the Gorge View Bar in Kent Village, Bog Walk, St Catherine, takes on a new face serving another type of spirit - The Holy Spirit. Instead of the scorching white rum, Appleton VX or Johnny Walker Black, an entire community is fed with songs inspired by the sacred scripture.

There are no pastors, elders or deacons preaching, but the bar is accepted by the over 400 residents as the 'Church Bar'. In the last six years, proprietor, Leroy Simpson, honed the same sound and vibes that emanates from a Pentecostal, Baptist or Methodist praise and worship.

"I believe it is important to praise God and so I give him thanks openly. And because I don't go to church I hold my own service here which also serves to fill the void for others who don't go either," Simpson told The Sunday Gleaner.

His praise-and-worship music has become a fabric of the psyche of the people in the community and if he doesn't commence service by 7 a.m., he is required to give an explanation. "People come to knock on my door asking what has happened."

His comments were confirmed by neighbour, Marilyn Green, a popular fruit and vegetable vendor, whose stall is across the road from the bar. Green is not a member of any church, so her religious medicine is administered at the bar.

"This is my church on a Sunday morning; I jump sometimes instead of dance when the music reaches inside of me. If he didn't play I would be very low in spirit and I am sure the rest of the community would feel the same because of the effect it has on us."

Simpson is so convinced that his spiritual offering is playing a pivotal role in the community, he is now planning to expand his repertoire with pre-recorded sermons.

Even a woman of the cloth is singing praises of the bar.

Sister Marva Young of the Bog Walk Pentecostal Church was quick to point out that Gorge View's Sunday morning sessions were uplifting and heartening to the spirit. "I do ministry and I am not afraid to go into the bars and go-go clubs," she declared.

There are no go-go dancers to be found here, though, neither does the bar promote 'daggerin' artistes. However, all the decor that symbolises the setting of a tavern is apparent, including the regular Craven A, Guinness and Stone's Ginger Wine signs.

On entering, you are greeted by sexy Magnum poster girls wearing two-piece bathing suits and psychedelic (disco) lights.

Seated on split levels, Gorge View offers a cosy setting, overlooking the Rio Cobre. There is also a dining area on the upper level and tables for dominoes.

Well respected

Kent Village is the birthplace of many-time Festival Song Competition champion, Eric Donaldson, and has four bars and several fruit vendors. There is one church in the community, Four Square Gospel.

The village's people, though small in numbers, are well respected for their invention of a sky trolley that transports goods to and from a coconut and orange farm, made inaccessible by the river.

Outside of operating his bar, Simpson works as a mastercraft at the National Water Commission, a job he has had for 21 years.

As for his relationship with God, he feels it is not complete. "I see myself giving my life fully to the Lord, and I know I will have to close my bar one day," he said.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com