Digital archive to document Ebrington’s 120 years

ONE of Londonderry’s most recognisable churches plans to create a digital archive documenting its 120 year history to mark UK City of Culture 2013.

Ebrington Presbyterian Church has stood on the corner of May Street and Limavady Road since it first opened its doors in October 1897.

Now church leaders are asking for the Londonderry public’s help as they work to chronicle its history.

“We hope to gather together old stories, photographs and memorabilia connected to the church with the hope that we can use it to display and document the church’s life in a digital format,”

Ebrington’s Clerk of Session Alwyn Wilson this week told the Sentinel.

“We already have some great historical stuff - like the minutes of record going back some 100 plus years, and like the old framed photograph of the laying of the church’s foundation stone.

“But we hope to gather as much information and memorabilia as we possibly can. Maybe someone has a old book presented to them as a prize, or an old train ticket from the Sunday School excursion to Portrush.

“Really we are looking for anything that would help us chronicle the church’s proud history and impact on life in the city over the years.

“It seems the perfect way for the congregation to mark the city’s culture year.

“If anyone has any information or items that would be of interest to us then it would be great to hear from them,” he said.

Ebrington Presbyterian - which in years gone by had a close link to Ebrington School - was the second Presbyterian Church built in Londonderry’s Waterside and counts two Moderators of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland among it’s former ministers.

Anyone who thinks they can contribute to the church’s digital archive project can contact the church via emailing [email protected] or telephone 71348117.