Church reaches out to community with new multi-purpose building

A church in west Belfast is hoping its new multi-purpose building will help it to reach out to the community and welcome newcomers into its fold.

The dedication on Monday of the new building at St Columba's in Whiterock marked the start of a new era of Church of Ireland ministry in that part of the city.

The old church building is relatively new, built in 1962, but when the congregation decided it was time to rebuild, they entered into an innovative partnership with the Diocese of Connor, E&B Services and Prime Care.

The old building was demolished last year and part of the land it stood on was leased to the developer who in turn built the new multi-purpose church building.

The result is a 64-bed nursing home built next to the brand new church, which includes a large hall for services and other activities, a cafe, toilets and a shower facility.

Some items from the old St Columba’s, including a large wooden cross and an impressive stained glass window, have been incorporated into the new building.

Priest-in-charge the Rev Dr Chris Easton said he hoped that St Columba's would be able to provide the community with additional resources and ministries in addition to those traditionally associated with the church.

Dr Easton has been involved in this ground-breaking project since its inception.

He said he wanted people to know that the church was part of the community and "not just somewhere to come on Sundays".

“This is an innovative approach to try and rejuvenate a church. It is a wonderful opportunity to make a fresh start and my role now is to encourage people to make the most of that," he said.

"This is an opportunity to re-establish a worshipping community here in Whiterock, serving the Highfield and Springmartin housing estates.”

Dr Easton said the cafe was an integral part of the project and was something the community had asked for.

“It will give us the opportunity to bring more people into the building. Although it looks like a church outside it is not like a regular church building inside.

"Church here will also be different to many people’s perception. There will be a fresh expression of worship. It will be very relaxed which will make it easier for people to come through the doors," he explained.

Parishioner Margaret Johnston was married in the old St Columba’s.

She welcomed the change: “The old church was beautiful with its stained glass windows and pews, but this new building is still a church, and it is one that will be more open to the community."

Seventy seven-year-old Eddie Stone, a parishioner since 1948, was optimistic about the impact of the change.

“The new building is a great facility for residents and we are hopeful that it will increase the numbers in the church,” he said.