The official opening of the new Bahá'í Centre at 5 Clarendon Street took place on 1st May 2003. The rented first floor premises had been used for community activities for more than a year. A conscious decision, taken by the Spiritual Assembly to upgrade, has now resulted in a proper Bahá'í Centre. It is close to the city centre and prominently signed.
The Mayor of Derry, Councillor Kathleen McCloskey, was approached and kindly agreed to "do the honours" and open the Centre officially. Local Bahá'ís, friends, and especially non-Bahá'ís who had been particularly helpful in the process of establishing the Centre, were invited. Representation was sought from the Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland and our own National Spiritual Assembly, of the Bahá'ís of the United Kingdom was informed of developments, as was the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the Republic of Ireland. After the Mayor was welcomed by Elizabeth Palin, Chair of the LSA, 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. Some highlights are:
"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."
The Mayor was presented with a bouquet of flowers by seven years old Farrah Munro. 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". Pat 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 Bahá'ís 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."
Finally Dr Keith Munro, who served on the first Spiritual Assembly 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. Refreshments were served and the non-Bahá'í guests - including the press, as all three of the local newspapers sent photographers - were presented with an information pack about the Faith. 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. A new section has been added to the Assembly's site on the World Wide Web about the Centre and its inauguration. The event gained good coverage (with colour photographs) in the local press
The Mayor of Derry (Londonderry) cuts the ribbon and formally opens the new Bahá'í Centre.
BACK TO CONTENTS PAGE