By Violet Brown
A MAJOR £1m fundraising campaign has been launched to restore an isolated Ards peninsula church that is in such a dangerous condition it has been closed down.
The parishioners of Christ Church, at Ardkeen, were recently told the heartbreaking news that the building could no longer be used because of extensive structural issues.
Also known as the Quarter Church because of its location at The Quarter, in Kirkistown, an urgent building survey of the building will be carried out over the coming weeks but it is believed the work needed will be extensive.
The congregation realised something was wrong when slates started falling off the roof and it is believed the survey will reveal damp and possibly dry rot.
However, the community has refused to be daunted and has moved quickly to begin an earnest programme of fundraising and identifying grant opportunities while church services have been moved to the nearby hall. “For 179 years, our church has been at the heart of our community,” church secretary, Yolanda Truesdale explained.
“Now, we are coming together to restore it — not just as a building, but as a place of faith, friendship, and belonging for generations to come,” she added.
“Once we got over the shock everybody came together and are really eager to get the money and get going”, Mrs Truesdale explained.
“We are determined the church will be reopened although we know it
will be a long term thing and will probably take four to five years to happen.”
On Saturday the church held a cake and bake sale and craft fair which has been heralded as a great success.
“What a truly wonderful day we shared as a community,” Mrs Truesdale said. “From delicious homemade bakes to beautiful crafts and fun-filled games, it was a day filled with laughter, connection and generosity all in support of a very important cause.”
Upcoming events include a service of praise and thanksgiving on Friday, April 24 beginning at 7.30pm in the church hall, and a fundraising event in St Mark’s Church, Newtownards led by Peninsula Praise choir, on Friday, May 8, also starting at 7.30pm.
The construction of Christ Church was completed in May 1847. It was built to replace St Mary’s church which stood on Castle Hill, Ardkeen, before its roof was blown off and it was decided to relocate the church to its present site.
Precious artefacts from St Mary’s were brought to Christ Church, including a silver chalice donated in 1761 by Mary Savage, a member of the prominent Anglo-Norman family who lived on the Ards peninsula.
The name of William Ennis, who emigrated to the Montana during the Gold Rush, where he established the town of Ennis, is displayed over the door at Christ Church. Ardkeen was the family parish of William Ennis and he donated money to help build the present church.
