'Overwhelmed' by support

Reverend David Latimer, of First Derry Presbyterian Church, says he has been overwhelmed by the support of his church's "nationalist, republican and Catholic" neighbours, since the congregation were forced to leave their Magazine Street place of worship in 2002.

"There are things that have happened over the last number of years that lead us in First Derry to believe there is a very definite role for Protestants and for Presbyterians to play in the west bank of the city," he said.

"A very powerful example would be the cross party political support from Derry City Council, from nationalist, republican as well as unionist representatives. They all have shown great interest, they simply want us back."

He also spoke of his evolving friendship with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who he says has been instrumental in helping First Derry return to their home on the walls since dry rot forced the 250 family congregation to leave eight years ago.

Repair work has now got underway on First Derry and it is now hoped the congregation will return in the summer of 2011. A special service of thanksgiving is planned for March 21 on the city walls outside the church.

Reverend Latimer says there is a climate of change sweeping through the city and believes the cityside should no longer be seen as a cold house for Protestants.

"What more proof do we need for this view than when Martin McGuinness was involved in the recent talks at Hillsborough he made time to talk with me in his office specifically about funding for First Derry.

"I can unequivocally say that we are welcome. As communities we cannot always remain apart, together we are much stronger. There is a window of opportunity in Derry that does not exist elsewhere in Northern Ireland."

He says his own congregation have been supportive of his friendship with the deputy first minister.

"I have people in my own congregation who have been hurt during the Troubles but they are saying to me that what we are doing is right, that if we lived in the past there would be no future for any of us.

"I am aware some people who may frown on my evolving friendship with Martin, I am willing to listen to their views but in a democracy they must allow me to explore ways of moving from the darkness of the past to the brightness of a better future."

Reverend Latimer says a refurbished First Derry will hold a unique place within the walled city.

He said the church will become not only a place of worship, but will house an interpretative centre and become a shared space in the heart of the city.

"We want the church to be somewhere where we can build bridges, forge relationships and explode the myths the two communities here have about each other.”

Reverend Latimer says he hoped people would want to hear how Presbyterians faced "intolerance and were treated unfairly" in the early days of the Plantation.

"When we return to Magazine Street we do not want to sit there on our own, we want it to become a vehicle to get to know our nationalist neighbours, he said.