A BOOK celebrating the centenary of a Heckmondwike church will be winging its way across the globe following its launch.
Holy Spirit Parish, Heckmondwike – A Centenary of Change traces the origins of the Catholic church in Bath Road right through to the present day.
It is the culmination of four years’ research by a small team of parishioners.
As well as marking the church’s 100th anniversary, the book will also raise much-needed cash for its centenary appeal which has seen extensive repairs and restoration.
Tom and Nora Harrington, owners of Healds Hall in Liversedge, invited the church to hold the book launch at their hotel and the couple were among the first to buy a copy.
Tom said: “It will be going all the way to America, to our daughter Siobhan and her husband Tom McMahon, who were married at Holy Spirit Church 14 years ago, and now live in Virginia.”
Peter Moreland, who co-edited the book, said the response had been overwhelming, with editorial contributions not only from past and present parishioners, but also from Apollo astronauts Charlie Duke and Eugene Cernan, and golfer legends Jack Nicklaus and Peter Alliss, who were friends of former priest Father Paddy Roche.
Speaking at the launch, Peter said: “Copies will be going out to America, France, Australia, India, New Zealand, Ireland and many other places, so the story of Holy Spirit will be told across the world.”
The book costs £10 and copies are available from Peter on 01924 501774 or 07760 205122 or email petermoreland@hotmail.com.
A DVD of photographs will be available shortly costing £5.
