Press Releases
ONE GREEN BOTTLE HANGING ON HISTORY
A wax sealed green bottle found in the walls of the former Church of Ireland Drew Memorial Church building on the Grosvenor Road, Belfast contained newsprint dated 1875.
At an informal opening of the green bottle time capsule on the site members of the Michael Dwyers 1798 Gaelic Athletic Club (GAC), who bought the building after it had been deconsecrated in 1994, joined with Church of Ireland representatives to examine various pieces of memorabilia found during demolition work a few weeks ago.
The building had become unsafe and the GAC are now seeking planning permission to build a hall. The club intend to put a display in the hall recording the history of the site including pictures of the church along with news reports of the historic green bottle.
Rev William Hoey, Rector for 23 years up to 1994, and Rev Brian Parker, Church of Ireland Media Officer, accepted the items on behalf of the Church of Ireland Archivist including Sunday School roll books dated 1871 and 1872.
The green bottle was found in a specially prepared cavity in the brickwork. The roll books contain names and addresses of Sunday school teachers and the names and attendance records of pupils. Many of the street names recorded in the roll books still exist although housing and road layouts in the area have been radically changed in recent years.
Mr Billy Delaney, GAC President, has lived in the vicinity of the church for some 66 years and today recalled the names of many Church of Ireland families who have long since left the area. "We used to play football together", he said. "It was quiet then and we all got on very well."
Further information from:
THE CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House
61 - 67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH
Tel: (028) 9023 2909
Fax: (028) 9032 3554
Email: [email protected]