Church gets new roof and interior facelift

Work is progressing on a major refurbishment project at Molesworth Presbyterian Church in Cookstown.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Feb 2018, 14:52 BST
Updated 6th Feb 2018, 19:13 BST
Work gets under way to replace the roof of Molesworth Presbyterian Church.Work gets under way to replace the roof of Molesworth Presbyterian Church.
Work gets under way to replace the roof of Molesworth Presbyterian Church.

The first phase - replacement of the roof of the Molesworth Street building, which dates back to 1835 - is currently under way, and will be followed by work to give the interior of the property a facelift.

Scaffolding has been erected around the church to facilitate the work, which is being partly paid for with grant funding of £78,500 from the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.

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Moisture ingress has affected the roof, ceiling, windows and walls of the Meeting House over the years, with hidden damage caused to the roof structure in a bomb blast in 1973 thought to have contributed to the problem.

Scaffolding covers the front of Molesworth Presbyterian Church.Scaffolding covers the front of Molesworth Presbyterian Church.
Scaffolding covers the front of Molesworth Presbyterian Church.

While the roof replacement will ensure the building is weatherproof, the committee decided to go a step further and undertake further work to ensure they leave an inheritance fit for future generations of worshipers.

A major programme of modernisation and refurbishment will take place inside the church while the work on the roof, ceiling and front gable is being finished.

If all the works go to plan, the church should be ready for re-occupation by September this year.

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Rev Tom Greer, the current minister of the congregation, commented: “We took this initiative after much prayerful consideration, in the hope that we will have a building that will help serve the needs of this congregation for many generations to come, as it has served many in the past since its foundation.

Workers on the roof of Molesworth Presbyterian Church.Workers on the roof of Molesworth Presbyterian Church.
Workers on the roof of Molesworth Presbyterian Church.

“Although the external appearance of our building will not be noticeably different, visitors and regular worshipers will find a more physically comfortable and welcoming interior, which will also comply with modern standards for energy saving, welfare and safety.

“I can truly say on behalf of our committee that we are extremely grateful for the financial aid given to us by the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.”

Known for many years as Third Cookstown Presbyterian Church, the name was changed to Molesworth Presbyterian Church in 1946.

Over the decades since its formation the church has been a witness to the Christian gospel in Cookstown and district.

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