Hillsborough Parish celebrates 350 years with a Christmas Tree Festival
‘FOR trees are jolly good fellows’ is the message at Hillsborough Parish Church, which celebrates its 350th Anniversary this year.
To mark the occasion, the church is holding a Christmas Tree Festival from Friday 29 November (when Bishop Harold will officially open it) until Sunday 1 December (see opening times below).
The parish also looks forward to welcoming the Right Reverend Ferran Glenfield, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, and former Rector of St Malachy’s Church, as the visiting preacher at the three services on the Anniversary Sunday (December 1). After the evening service the village Christmas tree lights will be switch on and mince pies served.
Festival
More than 40 decorated trees will be on display, all donated and prepared by parish organisations, local businesses and friends of the church. The decorations each tell visitors what Christmas means to the contributor.
To entertain visitors as they browse the exhibition, there will also be performances of music, poetry and readings.
Visitors to the church will be welcome to sit and listen to the performers.
Church Opening Times for the Tree Festival are Friday (29th) 12 noon–9.00 pm; Saturday (30) 10.00 am–7.00 pm, and Sunday (1) 2.00 pm–5.00 pm.
And there’s more! On the Saturday of the Festival Weekend, there will be 40 stalls, offering a great shopping opportunity, at the church’s Annual Christmas Fayre in the Downshire Centre (inside the church grounds).
Tea and coffee will be available in the Barry Gallery (upstairs at the Centre) and the popular Cake Stall will offer a wide variety of home–baked goodies, breads and jams. Opening times for the Fayre are 10.00 am–3.30 pm.
Click here for more details of the musical programme.