THE BAHÁ'ÍS OF DERRY

OPENING OF THE NEW BAHÁ'Í CENTRE

The official opening of the new Bahá'í Centre at 5 Clarendon Street took place on 1 May 2003. The first floor premises have been used for community activities for more than a year and a decision was taken by the Spiritual Assembly in 2002 to make the situation official, starting with checking with the fire and planning authorities what needed to be done if the venue was to be developed into a proper Bahá'í Centre. The authorities were more than helpful and a programme of upgrading, necessary alterations, and finally redecoration resulted in a Centre worthy of the Faith at this stage in its development in Londonderry. It is close to the city centre and prominently signed.

The Assembly decided that an official opening ceremony should be held. The Mayor of Derry, Councillor Kathleen McCloskey, was approached and kindly agreed to ‘do the honours’. Local Bahá'ís, friends, and especially non-Bahá'ís who had been particularly helpful in the process of establishing the Centre, were invited. It had been planned to have part of the ceremony, starting with the ribbon-cutting but at the front door. However it became a ‘soft day’ (translation for non-Irish readers: the rain started) so after the Mayor was welcomed by Elizabeth Palin, Chair of the Assembly, and had cut the ribbon for the benefit of the press and Bahá'í photographers, proceedings moved to the main meeting room. There the Mayor delivered a positive and supportive message of greetings, and it is worth quoting her words in full:

‘Good morning everyone, I am delighted to be here with you on May Day to celebrate the opening of the new centre here in Clarendon Street. The Bahá'í community in Derry has been growing in the city since 1971 and the Bahá'í ethos of unity in diversity is something that has inspired many people from all walks of life within the north-west and on a more regional and national basis too.

"Important contributions have been made by the local Bahá'í community on the proposed appointment of a Commissioner for Children and the community has also done sterling work in the struggle to overcome racism, discrimination and prejudice within our city. Your community adds to the richness and diversity of life within this city and I look forward to many more years of Bahá'í involvement and good work within the wider community.

"I wish you all great success with the centre and many happy times here so now, without further ado, I am delighted to announce the new Bahá'í Centre open...."

 

The message of greetings from the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom, read by Derry Bahá'í Joan Catterson, referred to the new Centre as ‘a focal point of fellowship, love and activity’, while that from the Republic of Ireland NSA, read by Donegal Bahá'í Declan Devine, expressed the hope that it would ‘prove a valuable addition to the life of this historic city’.

Patricia Irvine said a few words of appreciation on behalf of the Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland and her Council colleague Eddie Whiteside read the Council's message of greetings, which said in part:

‘The Bahá'í community in Derry is an inspiration for Baha'is throughout Ireland. Individual members of the community have made sacrificial contributions to the development of the community in the United Kingdom, in Ireland and further afield. The community has been a feature of life in the city for nearly four decades and during that time has established a reputation for the way that it has handled its affairs. We are delighted to join with you at this time of celebration when you officially open your Centre. We know that the Centre will become a valuable focus for the community in the coming years and it is our ardent prayer that all your activities in the Centre will be blessed.’

Finally Dr Keith Munro, who served on the first Spiritual Assembly of Londonderry when it was established over thirty years ago, and has continued as a member since, said a few words and the formal part of the gathering closed with a prayer said by local Bahá'í youth Colin Palin.

A slate plaque commemorating the opening of the Centre has been mounted on one wall of the meeting room as a lasting memento of the occasion.

The opening of the Centre was well covered in the local media.