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Almost exactly 25 months to the day since it was destroyed in a malicious fire, the rebuilding of the church hall at Hillhall Presbyterian Church will be celebrated by the Presbyterian Moderator Dr Alastair Dunlop when he dedicates the foundation stone for a new hall complex this Sunday, 23 December at a Hillhall's Christmas Family Service at 3.00pm in the afternoon in the Church.
'The destruction of the hall was a devastating blow to the entire congregation,' says Rev Jack Richardson, Hillhall's minister. 'But now as we see the steel work rising and the brick work well through we are very encouraged that the difficult times of the last two years will soon be behind us.'
'When they were destroyed the halls were just 12 years old and the fire came at a time when we had just completed a major renovation programme of all our property and were looking forward to developing our work and witness in the community rather than having to fundraise. Unfortunately we have had to go back to the fundraising but when the halls open, hopefully next autumn, our concentration will once again be on being salt and light to those around us.'
The fire, which was clearly visible to early morning commuters coming into Belfast along the M1 was also a personal tragedy for Rev Richardson whose study in the hall was destroyed along with his many reference books and congregational records.
'It was sad to loose so many of my own valued possessions and items of sentimental value,' continued Mr Richardson, 'but at the time we were aware that the destruction could have been so much worse and we were relieved that the fire did little or no damage to the adjoining church.'
'In many ways the fire and recovering from it has made us a stronger congregation and community and I would take the opportunity to thank all those who have helped our rebuilding programme thus far and particularly those organisations and community groups who have allowed us use of their facilities to carry forward the work of our church.'
The complex is largely being rebuild as it was before with a large hall, kitchen and minister's room together with smaller meeting rooms, cloakrooms and toilet facilities and is estimated to cost close to £1m.
PHOTO ARRANGEMENTS: Contact Rev Jack Richardson on Tel: 028 9260 2362 to make arrangements for photographers. Pictures would be best taken either before or after the service
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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