Kilbroney Parish open a Little Free Library
Little Free Libraries are a familiar sight in the literary loving area of Rostrevor and environs with Kilbroney Park, which also has a Narnia Trail, boasting two of them. Indeed the small village hosts an annual Literary Festival.
We were delighted therefore to discover that St Mark’s Dundela had installed an outdoor cupboard filled with Christian books in the grounds of C.S. Lewis’ childhood church. The select vestry of Kilbroney Parish Church had almost simultaneously come up with the same idea and dedicated and opened our own version of a Little Free Library in the grounds of St Bronach’s on 6 April, further establishing a link between the two churches.
C.S. Lewis described the view from Rostrevor overlooking Carlingford Lough as “my idea of Narnia”. He also noted that the Mourne Mountains, particularly when viewed under a certain light made him feel as if a giant might be emerging over the horizon. Lewis’ Narnia allowed him to explore themes of faith and morality within a fantastical world.
Since St Bronach’s is placed centrally in the village overlooking the square and the local community is very supportive of our initiatives, it seemed a natural thing to install our own Little Free Library as Christian outreach and to encourage folk into our grounds and possibly over the threshold who might otherwise pass by. Hopefully they too might sit down on our bench for a read.
The Little Free Library was lovingly and skilfully created and installed by Rostrevor Men’s Shed, headed up by one of our tower bell ringers. It is made of granite with a slate pitched roof to blend with our church building. Its wooden door frame is inlaid with gothic arched leaded glass and has cast iron fleur-de-lis door handles to match our railings. The inscription on the door reads: “Kilbroney Parish Church Little Free Library. Take a book. Leave a book. Please only share books that are respectful to the Christian faith and this holy place.” The most striking thing is that it looks like it was always there!
The library is stocked with parishioners’ donations of children’s bible stories, teens and adults’ second-hand books to encourage Christian faith, and our award-winning church magazine, The Pointer which advertises our church times and activities. Some parishioners have also taken the time and expense of supplying it with newly purchased books. The stock is regularly checked and will be replenished from time to time with seasonal books such as at Christmas.
We hope that the village festivals, particularly ‘Fiddlers Green’, an international music festival in July, will attract more folk through our church to view it.
With thanks to Elizabeth Farnan
