Time capsule will tell story of life in Ahoghill in 2015!

Saturday October 17th 2015

Mr Tommy Dowds, representing Martin and Hamilton Contractors, receiving a time capsule from the Rev Gary Millar which will be place in the church to mark the re-roofing of St Colmanell’s Church.

A screenshot of life today is to be frozen in time in a capsule to be secreted in the new roof of St Colmanell’s Parish Church.

The time capsule contains the names of parishioners and members of the local community who supported the church roof appeal, some coins and their monetary value in terms of today’s world, a letter from the rector the Rev Gary Millar, and photographs of church life.

The re-reroofing of the church in Ahoghill is currently underway and is nearing completion.

To help with this major cost, the parish had applied for a ‘Listed Places of Worship Church Roof’ grant.

“We were deflated when the application was turned down, but equally happy that Portglenone’s application was successful,” Gary explained

“As a result, there was not enough money to proceed with the church roof and therefore we looked into the possibility of borrowing money from the bank. After much prayer and discussions two parishioners, Linda and Jeff Kyle, came up with the idea of ‘sponsoring a tile.’

“‘Sponsor a tile’ was launched at the Parish Fate in June and by September just over £46,000 was raised.”

Gary said this was more than enough to meet the shortfall in Parish Funds and therefore work on the roof started in July. It is hoped it will be completed by mid-November , in time for the parish’s Christmas Tree Festival.

And while it is intended the roof will last for many years to come, some day in the future, someone investigating below the eaves and tiles atop St Colmanell’s may discover the time capsule and learn more than they expected to about life in Aghogill c2015!