Willowfield’s magnificent halls and facilities open – now the work begins
Willowfield Church’s wonderfully refurbished and extended halls are up and running.
The official opening ceremony was performed on Saturday morning by the High Sheriff of Belfast, Alderman Tom Haire.
Before inviting the High Sheriff to cut the ribbon spanning the doorway, the Rector of Willowfield Parish, the Venerable David McClay (pictured), highlighted the major parts played by everyone involved in the venture.
In doing so he recalled some of the history of the original facility which opened almost 62 years ago 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 highlighted the on–going work with, in and for the local community.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Explaining the cost entailed in the refurbishment and where the money had come from, he said: “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 all those who attended the opening ceremony.
And there was applause when he singled out Willowfield Glebe Wardens, Colin Bunting and Brian Mayes, crediting them with having given “thousands of hours to bring this project to where you see it today.”
“But above all,” he added, “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.”