Diocesan News
St Augustine’s parishioners become ‘upwardly mobile’
Parishioners at St Augustine’s Church in the centre of Londonderry have become ‘upwardly mobile’ all of a sudden, thanks to Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Access and Inclusion Project and the Church of Ireland’s Priorities Fund.
A new lift has been installed in the parish hall in Palace Street, making all three floors of the building accessible to wheelchair–users. Among the first to try out the new lift in the Old Schoolhouse were St Augustine’s stalwarts Wilfred Cavanagh and Ivan Bell who between them have racked up 150
years of worship at ‘the Wee Church on the Walls’. The new lift was consecrated by the Rev Ken McLaughlin, who is providing vacancy cover while the parish searches for a new rector.
St Augustine’s is home to a small but dedicated congregation of around 200
families. The lift installation was the latest in a series of improvements to extend the church’s outreach work in the city centre. The first floor of the hall is used for a mid–week Communion Service, parish meetings and Sunday School, as well as for wider community events such as a monthly market. The top floor hosts Art Arcadia, an acclaimed, all–year–round art residency project for selected artists.
Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Access and Inclusion Coordinator,
Louise Boyce, said the new lift would encourage wider use of the Old Schoolhouse. “Derry City and Strabane District Council [DCSDC] have an accessible grant aid process for cultural and heritage venues to increase opportunity for our pan–disability community to participate and engage, to improve their health and wellbeing and to reduce isolation,” Ms Boyce said.
“I am delighted that St Augustine’s have availed of the council’s accessible grant aid programme to install the new lift in their hall. It is one of a number of improvements the Parish has made under DCSDC’s access and inclusion project to reduce barriers and promote wider participation. St Augustine’s has been working with the project for some time now and it’s evident that parishioners are committed to ensuring that their premises, programmes and activities are as open and inclusive as possible.”
Ms Boyce said if anyone wanted to find out more about the Accessible Grant Aid Programme for cultural and heritage venues, they should email her at louise.boyce@derrystrabane.com or call 028 7125 3253 (extension 4349).
The parish team at St Augustine’s have expressed their appreciation to their former Rector, the Rev Malcolm Ferry, for initiating the church’s Outreach Project,
and for preparing and submitting the grant applications prior to his departure.
They have also thanked the company which installed the new facility, Ritchie,
Hart & Co. Ltd. The team have expressed gratitude to Derry City and Strabane District Council and to the Church of Ireland Priorities Fund for their generous support of the Outreach Project.
For further information please contact:
Mr Paul McFadden
Diocesan Communications Officer, Derry & Raphoe
028 7126 2440
07525 826290
press@derryandraphoe.org