St Columb's in the advent of Christmas

For apart from the liturgy and choral tradition which distinctively characterise the worship in the city's oldest church there will also be the opportunity of seeing the building transformed as a result of a massive restoration programme.

Work costing an overall sum approaching four million pounds has already finished on the nave, north aisle, chancel and sanctuary and it is expected that the south aisle and Bishop William Alexander Chapel will be completed just before Christmas. The restoration has involved refurbishment of stonework as well as augmenting the heating system and installing new electrical wiring and new lighting. It is hoped, as well, that the Cathedral organ, the largest of its kind in the north-west of Ireland, which had to be sealed off while the restoration work was in progress will be back in use from Christmas onwards.

A firm favourite is the Children's Christmas Celebration on Sunday 12th December at 11am when the Sunday School will be involved in the service in a very innovative and imaginative way – even with a Christmas X Factor!

A very popular and traditional part of Christmas is The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols which will be held on Sunday 19th December at 7.30pm, a service which is similar to that televised by the BBC every Christmas Eve from King's College, Cambridge.

As with the Holy Communion services on Christmas Eve at 11pm and on Christmas Day at 11am, these special services rely heavily on the Cathedral Choir of boys and gentlemen, one of only two such Cathedral choirs in Northern Ireland, which is trained by the Organist and Master of the Choristers, Ian Mills.

The Choir is currently recruiting for boy choristers aged 7-13 years and carries many benefits: a free, first-class musical education, the chance and experience of being a valued member of a team, the opportunity to sing at special events (for example TV and radio broadcasts), improved confidence/performance skills and improved reading and writing skills.

Membership of the Cathedral Choir is open to any boy aged 7-13.

The Choir has always included members from a variety of Christian denominations.

A keen interest in music is an obvious 'must' but boys are taught to sing from scratch – no experience is necessary. To ensure the high choral standard for which the Cathedral is renowned there are practices during the week and before the morning and afternoon services on Sundays.

In addition, a number of visiting tutors hold regular workshops at the Cathedral, including Dr Barry Rose (formerly of St Paul's Cathedral, London) and Dr Martin Neary (formerly of Westminster Abbey).

The boys are supervised in accordance with the current Church of Ireland Safeguarding Trust guidelines. Membership is free of charge.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Mr Ian Mills on 07751859945 or by email: [email protected].

The Cathedral also offers further opportunity for children and young people through its organisations. The Sunday School has over 80 members and there are The Rainbow Club (for children 3+), the Brownies (age 6+), the Cub Scouts (also age 6+) and a Sitting Ducks group of young people already confirmed.

Further details may be obtained from the Cathedral on 028 71267313 or by emailing [email protected].

Saint Columb's Cathedral is first and foremost a place of Christian worship which is open every day of the year. Opening hours are 0900-1700 hours Monday-Saturday for prayer and reflection, with the Daily Office at 10.30am. The Cathedral is also a major tourist attraction.

It is the first Cathedral of its kind to have been built after the Reformation and, in addition to many artefacts pertaining to its life going back to 1613, it has also on display many items from the Great Siege including the original locks and keys of the City Gates. Visitors are always extremely welcome and guided tours are available on request.

The Cathedral attracts well over 100,000 visitors every year, some of them from the city, some from New Zealand and Australia! It hosts many civic events not to mention recitals on the organ, choral concerts, lectures and Lenten lunchtime talks and discussions.

The Dean of Derry, the Very Rev Dr William Morton wishes to see the Cathedral developed even more in reaching out, transforming community, and its role diversified and enhanced in terms of arts and culture.

Dean Morton has also paid tribute to the fantastic work being carried out in the restoration by Woodvale Construction from Omagh who, he said, are giving the Cathedral a new lease of life and leaving it totally restored for generations to come.

Mr Karl Pedersen, the Cathedral Architect, from Mullarkey Pedersen Architects, has described the transformed building in terms of the city-scape as the jewel in the crown and Dr Morton spoke of how fortunate the Cathedral is to be benefitting from Karl's expertise and professionalism.

Site Agent, Mr Brian Kelly, said Woodvale Construction as a firm is delighted to have the opportunity of working on such an historic building – it is an enormous honour and privilege. Mr Noel James, Clerk of Works, said it was so encouraging to see the progression of the restoration and the Cathedral looking absolutely transformed.

It is expected that the restoration work on the Cathedral will be completed by early in 2011.