Diocesan News
Willowfield’s magnificant halls and facilities open
… now the work begins
Willowfield’s magnificently refurbished and extended church halls and adjoining sports area were opened formally on Saturday morning with a large crowd of parishioners and well–wishers present to witness the event.
The Venerable David McClay, Rector of Willowfield Parish, highlighted the parts played by many others in the recreation of the church halls.
Recalling some of the history of the facility he explained that the church hall, as it was, had opened on Saturday, September 10, 1955.
“I am aware that there is at least one person present today who was present then and there are probably others,” he said. “Belfast City Council City were also involved in that event in that the hall was declared open by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Sir Percival Brown.
“Including furnishings, the cost of building the church hall in 1955 was £16,500 – and £12,500 had been collected before the building opened. It was 20 years in the planning, but the Second World War impacted upon the project as well as difficulties in finding a suitable site.
“The Willowfield Church building – across the way and further down the Woodstock Road – was built in 1872.” He noted: “The parish in those days gave itself generously to the needs of the people of this district.”
The church hall that had opened in 1955 was extended in 1972, the centenary of Willowfield Church. Fast–forwarding to today, the Rector continued: “In recent years the church of Willowfield has sought to double and treble its efforts to serve the needs of local people in our parish and wider afield in east Belfast.
“We believe that Jesus came down from heaven to earth for all of us and that the church has the privilege and a responsibility to help people experience for themselves God’s grace and God’s love. His total forgiveness for the past, whatever that past may be. His healing. His freedom from addiction. His friendship. His strength. His peace. His joy and the new beginnings that happen when people are introduced to the person of Jesus.
“We as a church are in this community for this community; that’s our slogan and we seek every day to make that our practice.
“We serve in or around 2,000 people who every week come into our premises. And we seek, as best we know how, to meet the needs of persons all around, through running things like kids’ clubs, youth clubs, homework clubs, support groups, education groups, freedom from addiction groups, self–help groups.
“We host a centre for Christians Against Poverty; we have a food store; a freezer ministry for meals and many other things besides.
“When the Parish of Willowfield had raised £300,000 towards making these halls fit for purpose again, the Garfield Weston Foundation recognised the work that was happening and contributed a grant of £25,000.
“An application to the Department of Education for £240,000 was successful. Then every councillor in Belfast City Council got behind the work we were doing in the community. They were aware of the condition of the facilities out of which we were often operating and an application – to their Investment Fund – for a grant of £560,000 was successful.
“Today we thank all who funded these wonderfully renovated and extended halls – parishioners and friends who gave generously, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Department of Education and Belfast City Council, through its Investment Fund.
“We thank all the councillors and our local MP for all their help and support.”
He also thanked the building contractors, the architects, all who worked in any capacity on the project and to those who attended Saturday morning’s opening ceremony.
And there was applause when he singled out Willowfield Glebe Wardens, Colin Bunting and Brain Mayes, crediting them with having given “thousands of hours to bring this project to where you see it today.”
“But above all we give thanks and praise and glory to our great and generous and loving God.”
And in handing over to Alderman Tom Haire to perform the opening ceremony itself, the rector concluded: “We give to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is Lord of his church, who is for each and every one of us, who wants to pour out his love upon us, great glory, thanks and praise.
Following the opening of the halls, the adjoining outdoor sports and play area – to be known as the U–Turn Project – was opened, too. This cleverly designed facility features three enclosed areas – a two–in–one football/basketball court, a fully–equipped young children’s play area and, adjoining it, an open space complete with permanent, picnic–type tables and benches.
The U–Turn Project is a memorial to Robert Bunting who died of cancer at the age of 26. A lover of sport, he and his family had a close relationship with Willowfield whose clergy and laity supported them throughout Robert’s illness.
Aptly, the opening was performed by members of his family.
More photos are available at www.downanddromore.org/gallery
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Down & Dromore
07840 006899
Mrs Annette McGrath
dco@downdromorediocese.org