Diocesan News
Plans to reopen Lower Falls Church as Community Centre
St Luke’s Church in the parish of Lower Falls, Belfast, which closed for worship on January 1 2006, is to re-open as a centre for cross community use.
The Rev Edith Quirey, Bishop’s Curate of St Stephen’s (Millfield) and St Luke’s, has the agreement of the Representative Church Body (RCB) of the Church of Ireland, which owns the building, to pursue plans to bring it back into use.
Edith was appointed Bishop’s Curate at St Luke’s just six months before the church, a place of dedicated worship since 1863, closed.
“It was such a part of the community and closure was a tough decision for the parishioners,” she said. “But since then I have really had time to think and pray about it and I felt God was telling me to keep St Luke’s open. I knew it would not open again as a church on a Sunday but I saw in my mind’s eye how it could be used.”
Edith has the backing of a committee formed of members of the select vestries from St Stephen’s and St Luke’s.
The new centre will be called ‘The Open Hands Centre’ and has been constituted as a charity. The transformation may take years and will cost more than £1m.
It is hoped the building will be used for cross community activities including an after school club, a Contact Centre for separated families, a café and office space for local organisations.
The centre would also offer training facilities, a library, and activities for young men and women, as well as a quiet place for worship and reflection.
“There is so much possibility in a big open space like St Luke’s,” said Edith. She added that a survey on the Falls Road indicated people there would support cross community activities in St Luke’s which is very close to the peaceline.
Edith is no blow-in to the area. “I know what it was like to grow up in the Troubles and to lose things,” she said. “I lived in Lanark Street off the Springfield Road. We were put out on internment day. Mum, dad and six children put out before the house was burned to the ground.
“I had grown up with Catholic friends and never had a problem. We need to let the next generation see that we are no different to each other.
For further information please contact:
Connor Diocesan Communications Officer
Contact Details
Karen Bushby
028 4066 0798
07766103880
[email protected]