For eight years now St Hilda's Church, the magnificent 640AD Grade 1 listed Church on the Headland at Hartlepool, has hosted the annual Carol Service for the Freemason and their families from Hartlepool and the surrounding area.

Each year the collection at the Church has been donated to the Church towards its upkeep, and over £2,000 has been raised from the Christmas events during this time. But the Freemasons wanted to give a donation that could be for the benefit of all the users of the Church.

During discussion with Rev Chris Collison, he mentioned that the Church wanted to build a display case for the Children's Book of Remembrance which would cost about £1100. So it was decided that the Freemasons would provide the funds for this very worth item.

Priest-in-Charge: Revd Chris Collison who is also Chaplain to the Mission to Seafarers, North Tees & H/pool has been a constant presence at the Church but in September he will retire and take a well-earned rest. The Freemasons thank him for his support and wish him well in his retirement.

This project was supported by £800 from Durham Benevolence the charity arm of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham, with further funds provide by Harte Lodge, Haven of Rest Lodge and the Hartlepool Masonic Benevolent Association. A total of £1,150 was donated

Cheques for these donations were presented to Rev Chris Collison in June at the Church by local masons Brian Footitt, Bill Horlsey , Thompson and John Bartram, representing the masonic bodies involved.

To find out more about this amazing church visit them at
www.hartlepool-sthilda.org.uk

Pic 1 Left to right, John Thompson, Rev Chris Collison, Brian Footitt, John Bartram & Bill Horsley

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