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Almost a year after it was badly damaged in an arson attack, Craigavon Presbyterian Church situated on the Drumgor Road, Brownlow, will be reopened this Saturday, 21 April, at 3.00pm by Presbyterian Moderator Dr Trevor Morrow.
No one was ever convicted for the attack, the third on the church in 13 years, which rendered the sanctuary and the church hall unusable for the last 12 months.
'During the year we have used other rooms within the church complex that were undamaged in the fire to hold services and other activities,' explained the minister of the congregation Rev Andrew Thompson. 'After we got over the initial shock of having our church destroyed yet again, the congregation pulled together well to continue to develop our Christian witness in the area as well as working hard to refurbish our buildings. Naturally we are looking forward to having all our facilities available for use again.'
'The members of Craigavon have to be congratulated on the enthusiasm and energy they have brought to once again refurbishing their church,' said the Moderator Dr Morrow. 'The resilience of their faith in the midst of may setbacks is an example to us all.'
No final cost for the refurbishment of the church is yet known but it is expected to be around £250,000 of which the congregation will have to find about £50,000
'One of the great things to come out of the fire is the way that the whole community has come together to support us through this difficult time,' Mr Thompson added. 'There has been no lack of interest and goodwill shown to the congregation. We have been staggered and moved by the tremendous care and encouragement which we have received from the local community and many people from further afield, not least the prayerful support and both practical and financial aid.'
Fund raising continues and the next event planned to help raise funds for the refurbishment is a concert organised by the PWA on the 18 May with special guests, the Amen Gospel Praise Band.
Craigavon Presbyterian Church was first opened in 1972 and was completely destroyed by fire in 1987. The church was completely rebuilt and was subsequently damaged by fire again in 1993 and most recently last year. Rev Andrew Thompson was installed as minister in December 1998
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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