In April 2002 the Parish published
Witness in the City: A History of St Thomas' Parish Church Belfast
This book was the culmination of a great deal of work by the Douglas family and many others. Mervyn, Colin and Carol gave the handsome 'Presentation Copy' of the book, along with accompanying software, to the Parish in loving memory of their parents, Norman and Winifred Douglas.
The book sets out the social and environmental context in which the Parish came into being in 1870 and traces its development over the years up to 2002. It looks at the components which have enlivened and informed the corporate life of the Church, chronicles its clergy, describes the buildings and looks at the organisations which have been an integral part of the Parish life. As the title indicates, this is the story of a living Christian community which has a venerable past, an exciting present, and an attractive and challenging future.
Work on the book was in process for four years and much of the background information came from the St Thomas' archive at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.
The book is in A4
size, runs to some 119 pages and contains many colour and black and white
illustrations.
ISBN 0-9544135-0-4
Copies are available for sale, price £5-00, at the back of the Church - just ask a Churchwarden. If you would like to buy a copy by post then contact the