Diamond Jubilee milestone

St Christopher’s Cathedral will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this week with a series of events to mark the occasion and thank the many residents who have played an active role in its community work, writes Mai Al Khatib.

The building, first consecrated as a church on March 13, 1953, before becoming a cathedral in 1986, was the original home for the thriving school which shares its name and, as well as being a place of worship, has been at the centre of the Christian community during happy and sad times.

Angela Murray, a member of the church counsel and chair of the Diamond Jubilee committee, said: “We’re very excited about the Jubilee as the cathedral has gone through so many changes over the years and played a crucial role in the lives of so many people in Bahrain.

“For example, following the first Gulf War in 1991, the temporary British RAF chapel (a tent) was taken down and its contents packed up. The RAF chaplain decided that the plain wooden cross used on the chapel altar should remain in Bahrain and so it was given to St Christopher’s Cathedral where many service personnel had worshipped during both Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The plain wooden cross now hangs on the rear wall of the cathedral.

“At the time of the Al Dana dhow disaster in 2006 the cathedral became a focal point for grieving residents and going back even further to 2000, I remember this place being a point of contact to help those stunned by the Gulf Air plane crash off Muharraq.

“Among the happy events, to encourage young people by recognising their talents and skills, the cathedral holds a vibrant Friday Club led by the Dean’s wife, Tricia. Among other activities, youth drama is a very important part of the life of the cathedral.

“We have also held carnivals here. One of the carnivals held in the car park was full of children from different schools and choirs, all performing in their national attire. These occasions were tremendous fun and reached out into the community.”

The Diamond Jubilee festivities started on Sunday with a Living Room Dialogue in the Deanery with Bahrain resident and Goan artist, Arthur d’Souza, who described some of his most recent works.

This evening British Ambassador Iain Lindsay and his wife Bridget will host a reception, at the British Embassy garden in Manama.

The cathedral’s Dean The Very Reverend Christopher Butt said: “It’s always good to celebrate and look back to thank the community for the journey travelled.”

Tomorrow at 6pm, the Cathedral will host a Diamond Jubilee Recital with the Manama String Quartet and guest, Paul Bagley, formerly a flautist with the D’Oyly Carte Orchestra and Scottish National Orchestra.

The Quartet is made up of David Hlawiczka and Sachi Kitabakate on violin, Bryan Chen on viola and Iwan Roberts playing the cello. They will be playing a programme that includes Schubert’s Quartettsatz, Richard Rodney Bennett’s Travel Notes and Jules Riley’s Quintet for flute and strings.

On Friday at 9.30am, Viv Buckle, Tricia Butt, Elizabeth George and Simon Phillips, who have been studying and training for the past two years, will be admitted and licensed as Readers by the Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf, the Right Rev’d Michael Lewis.

Readers are those who are authorised by the bishop as lay ministers so this is a significant development in the cathedral’s life.

The celebrations will continue at Friday’s 10th Anniversary Wheelathon at the Bahrain International Circuit where custom-made Diamond Jubilee merchandise including polo shirts, aprons and magnets will be on sale.

The merriments will conclude on Sunday at 6.15pm with a Diamond Jubilee Service followed by a reception in the Alun Morris Hall. Bishop Michael will be the preacher and several members of the Manama Singers will form a choir for the occasion.