In today's complex world, the churches in the Derry-Londonderry are known for their support of each other, in a joint capacity – through the Churches' Trust in providing community-based support and practical help to groups and individuals.
Indeed, community need (albeit the times of social tension getting grasping much of the media attention over contemporary initiatives focusing on youth development and interfaith activities and education) is one of the biggest drivers for this joint-up approach to promoting inclusion, tolerance, mutual acceptance and problem solving at grassroots level.
However, the bonds that the churches in this city have stretch right back in time – even to the early days of religious growth in the city, with the established faiths not only opening the doors to each other, but actively supporting their desire to worship God by helping the other religions build stunning houses of worship. The Anglican Church played a key role in many instances.
Back in the early 17th Century, for example, the Presbyterian congregation in Londonderry was offered the use of St Augustine's Church (the Wee Church on the Walls) as their meeting house. Having seen work begun in 1628 on what is now St Columb's Cathedral, the Anglicans in the city had previously been worshipping in St Augustine's Church. With the completion of the Cathedral in 1633 the 'Wee Church' became a vital meeting place for the Scottish settlers. Not only this but, in 1690 they were gifted the money to build their own church (First Derry) by money given to them by King William III's wife, Queen Mary, in recognition of their valiant efforts to protect and defend the Walled City from James II, literally 'cementing' the historic cordial relationship between the two churches.
The enormously pretty Long Tower Church, just outside the city walls, also received a helping hand from the Church of Ireland. Frederick Hervey, the 4th Earl of Bristol (elevated to Bishop of Derry in 1768), responsible for commissioning the first bridge across the River Foyle, and the commission of several stone churches in the district, also had a hand in helping the RC worshipers in Long Tower. In 1783, the Bishop gifted 200 Guineas to the Long Tower congregation to help with the building fund.
This clearly demonstrates how the ecclesiastical buildings in this beautiful city are more than mere buildings offering a roof on a Sunday over the heads of penitents – they stand as stone witnesses to the very embodiment of Christian generosity between religions.
To find out more about the built Christian heritage that Derry/Londonderry has to offer why not book a tour with either Christopher or myself, and we would be delighted to tell you all about our beautiful city.