hall opening

Church Hall - Opening and Dedication
Friday 20th June 2008 at 7.30 pm

We finally had the pleasure of celebrating the opening and dedication of our brand new Church Hall. To celebrate this event, The Reverend Derek Hughes, Moderator of Hamilton Presbytery performed the official opening and dedication of the hall.

This was followed by a buffet for all present (around 120 folks in total) and was in turn followed by a ceilidh dance. The opening was coordinated and the benediction given by the Reverend Iain M Goring who is currently the Interim Minister for Holytown and Wrangholm. A good contingent from our sister Church of Wrangholm were also represented.

Thanks were conveyed to a whole host of people and businesses without whose help, we would never have reached this memorable day.

These are as follows - and in no particular order:

- Strathclyde Fire Service who attended the fire that destroyed our original hall way back in January 2006.

- Chester Studzinski the Loss Adjuster who acted on behalf of our insurers.

- Our Architect Eddie Hawke who designed this spectacular building and coordinated the contractors, the local authority and the Church. Eddie is well known in Hamilton Presbytery and has recently been appointed as Property Convenor.

- Allan Mungall (structural engineers) from Edinburgh who designed the engineering aspects of the job.

- The Builders - Alexander Braidwood & Sons who have carried out a splendid job in the construction.

- Ian Bell, our Senior Elder for hand crafting the beautiful display box which houses the BB Bible that was recovered unharmed from the fire that destroyed everything else - a miracle indeed.

- Hamilton Presbytery and The Church of Scotland at 121 George Street for their patience and support throughout the last 2 years.

- James Cumming and Joseph Potts Ltd. For their continuing and tangible support.

- North Lanarkshire Council and in particular our local Councillor, Jimmy Coyle for all his valuable assistance and guidance.

- John Murray who acted as photographer of progress and Robert Baillie - both Elders of the Kirk for all the grounds and gardening work carried out before during and after the construction process.

- Premier Property Group (David Murray's company) for the gift of a piece of ground that enabled access to the new car parking area at the rear of the manse.

- Our own congregation for their support financially and for their patience during the two years it took to complete this project.

- The Building Committee from the Church who oversaw the project from a pile of ashes through the various design and construction stages to what we now have.

- The Reverend Iain and Janet Goring who have literally lived in a demolition and construction site since coming to Holytown. Our thanks go out to them for their patience and understanding.

- The Reverend Derek Hughes and his wife for agreeing to come along tonight and agreeing to perform the formalities of the opening.

- Peter Gardiner and his band who provided the entertainment after the official opening and the buffet.

Last but not least, we would thank the many, many others who have given of their time, hard work and also gifts of money and skills. Without the assistance of all those mentioned, what we have now would not have been possible and a sincere and heartfelt thanks is extended to all.

View slideshow of the hall construction.