End of an era

Rt Rev Norman Hamilton, Moderator of the General Assembly, in the North West on a 10-day tour, spoke at the service and took the opportunity to remind the gathering that they were not here "to have a funeral service or to write the obituary of Presbyterian ministry in this city".

Speaking before the service, Rt Rev Hamilton told the Sentinel the main reason for the closure was demographic change, and offered an opportunity to build a stonger church on Carlisle Road.

"I think over many urban areas, not just here in Derry, there are significant demographic movements, and the closure of the building of Strand is an expression of the fact that the population of the Cityside is different now to what it was even 10 years ago. Certainly it is different to what it was 20 years ago.

"Having said that, it is our view that we would want to have one stronger, energetic congregation than two smaller weaker ones, both of which would be struggling. So, maybe in a somewhat upside down way, to have a good ministry in Carlisle Road is better than a half ministry on Carlisle Road and a half ministry on Strand Road. And this is, essentially, as a consequence of demographic movements," he said.

According to Rt Rev Hamilton, while there are no concrete plans for the site, it will not be sold.

"I cannot tell you the detail, but my understanding is that it will not be sold. It will be used for Christian ministry by the Presbyterian Church. "The Presbytery is working on how that will 'unpack' itself over the next while, because, obviously there are financial implications of reusing it. The intention is quite specifically to keep it as a place of Christian Ministry within the Presbyterian Church."

During his address, the Moderator stressed that rather than the end, the closure of the Strand Road church was part of the continuation of faith: "In closing our building here this afternoon, we are not even remotely in the business of closing down the work of building God's kingdom. On this side of the river, as on the Waterside, we must continue to build His kingdom brick by brick as people are won for Christ one by one. He is unchanging, and his work is unchanging too. The call, opportunity, privilege, even the responsibility to do so is no less than ever it was, indeed I would suggest that it is even greater than it has been for many years.

"And, that is one of the reasons why we are incorporating the life and witness of this congregation into that of Carlisle Rd. Big challenges need strong fellowships of God's people to face into them," the Moderator said.

The large and representative congregation included the Lord Lieutenant of Londonderry, Dr Donal Kegan, as well as the Mayor of the city, Councillor Colum Eastwood. Others attending included the remaining congregation, Presbyterians from nearby congregations and former members, some of whom travelled from England.