Diocesan News
St Columbanus Community Re–opening
St Columbanus, Ballyhome, Church of Ireland celebrated the re–opening of their restored church with a community service on Monday 5th December. The church closed for 7 months of restoration work on 30th April and throughout this time, they met for Sunday worship in the assembly hall of St Columbanus College, Ballymaconnell Road.
In a service styled as a Community Re–opening, the Rector, Canon Simon Doogan, on behalf of the parish, thanked St Columbanus College for its hospitality and cross–community welcome. Mr Liam Perry, school principal, and Mr Brian Jamison, school bursar, were joined by the Traditional Musicians and Choir along with senior members of staff. The school’s Board of Governors were also present with their Chair, Mr Pat McCartan, and the Chair of the Board of Trustees, the Bishop of Down and Connor, the Most Reverend Noel Treanor.
It was also an opportunity for the parish to express its gratitude to the Design Team for their care and oversight of the project. The O’Hanlon Brothers of Coalisland were the lead builders and a special gift was made to Judith Hamilton, project architect, from Architects Knox and Markwell. A sculpture of Saint Columbanus, who the parish and school have in common, was presented to the school principal.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Deborah Girvan, represented the Borough and other guests included representatives from the other churches in Ballyholme, Towerview and Ballyholme Primary Schools and a number of shops and businesses local to the Groomsport Road.
The service was led by Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Right Reverend Harold Miller, who conducted a short series of reflections at the five key points of Restoration: The new door and re–sited font, the new organ and audio–visual system, the re–framed windows and new lighting, the relocated pulpit and lectern and the newly commissioned Communion rail and Table.
With its doors re–opened in time for Christmas, St Columbanus Ballyholme looks forward to welcoming the community to its usual menu of festive services. A service of Dedication of Gifts is planned for early in the New Year.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Down & Dromore
07840 006899
Mrs Annette McGrath
dco@downdromorediocese.org