Church of the Year

Richard and Charles Cormack joined Sir Philip Rutnam, Chair of the National Churches Trust, to reveal the overall winner. Sir Philip, told the audience why the judges made that choice: “The judges really loved the inclusiveness and celebration of diversity within their community. They seem to have embraced being a hub for the community and they look like they have fun! The activities with the dementia club are fabulous and they liked that they recognise the individual skills of volunteers.”

“As a judging panel we were unanimous in our support for this year’s winner,” shares Sir Philip Rutnam, Chair of the National Churches Trust. “It epitomises everything that a successful, sustainable and open church should be. “This is a church that is working so hard to look after and further develop their building, harnesses the skill and enthusiasm of volunteers, creates a wonderful warm welcome and does simply amazing work with the local community, many of whom are struggling.”

The judges singled out the church for the strength of its approach to looking after the building, its involvement of local people as volunteers and the way that St Macartan’s is promoted as part of the heritage of County Tyrone. “There’s a sense of bringing everyone together to share in the activity. It’s wonderful to see an ecumenical project which demonstrates that leadership is a real linchpin to success. So often clergy think that the gutters have nothing to do with their vocation but it’s great to see their involvement here,” shared the judges.