First Derry's long journey home

He begins by reflecting on the first definite shaping of Presbyterianism in Ireland, which he says was seen early in the 17th Century, when under the terms of the Plantation, large numbers of Scottish Presbyterians settled in and around Londonderry.

"At this time Presbyterians formed a substantial element of the Protestant population, insomuch that during the siege the great majority of the Defenders of Derry were Presbyterian," he says, continuing: "Notwithstanding the efforts and sacrifices in the cause of civil and religious liberty during the siege Presbyterians, who comprised at least 11 out of every 14 defenders, were not at first allowed to have a place of worship within the walls of the city."

He says: "Times of greater liberality followed and a parcel of ground was, at length procured within the walls on which a Presbyterian meeting house was erected. This endeavour was greatly facilitated through the provision of a generous Royal donation, which was in recognition of Presbyterian loyalty during the siege. While Presbyterian worship can be traced back to circa 1642, the fist church was not erected within the walls until 1690.

"The present church was built on the very same site and opened for worship on 25th July 1777. The quite impressive and rather imposing Corinthian columns were added to the front of the church in the opening years oof the twentieh century. Across the centuries since the first settlers gathered themselves together and this congregation began its storied existence and through all the years of sacrifice and service, of loss and gain, of failure and achievement God has not forsaken this historic church within the walls.

"While the past may have been blackened by wars and threatened by political unrest the Living Bush continues to burn and not even a catastrophic outbreak of dry rot that has displaced the people of First Derry from their church for more than seven years has been sufficient to dampen the committment of this most loyal congregation of God's people or dilute their faith. Encouraged by the cross party support within both Derry City Council and the NI Assembly, which has culminated in First Derry Presbyterian Church being included in the city's Built Heritage Programme, and being awarded grants in the region of 1.6m from NITB and NIEA, the long awaited journey back to the church on the walls has begun with the commencement of building work this week," Dr Latimer says.

Commenting on the forthcoming arrival of skilled workmen to start work on the historic church, he says: "The prospect of contractors appearing on the church forecourt in Upper Magazine Street has long been awaited. The path to the start of work to restore the church property has not been according to a straight line; there have been bumps and bends along the way and moments when it seemed like First Derry Presbyterian Church would never ever rise for the ashes.

"All the way along I have sought to keep ther congregation informed of my conversations with various political representives and with the DCC Economic Development Department.The wheels within Government understandably turn unbelievably slowly at times so considerable patience and faith were required. The longsuffering Presbyterian people of First Derry have been handsomely rewarded and the prrof of this is the arrival of the Woodvale Construction Company and the commencement of restoration work.

"It is my intention to celebrate the commencement of work at First Derry by taking the congregation onto the walls for an Open Air Sunday morning service during which a plaque will be unveiled and dedicated to mark the first leg of the journey back to our church within the wall," he said.

Work is expected to be completed within 18 months. Special services of re-opening and rededication will offer the congregation the opportunity to share its restored church property with the entire city, he said.