If You Know the History

By Gerard Gough

THE LYRIC from the famous Celtic football supporters’ song Hail Hail, which states ‘I you know the history’ became even more pertinent recently as Celtic fans from across the globe were offered the chance to own a little bit of their club's earliest history and benefit Glasgow's east end in the process.

A Celtic cross fashioned out of the stone of the St Mary’s parish hall in the Calton area of Glasgow in which Brother Walfrid founded the club at a meeting in November 1887, is to be raffled at the gala convention of 2400 Celtic fans in Las Vegas on Friday June 29.

The cross has been donated by former Celtic player Joe Logan Sr—one of the legendary Kelly Kids whose own career was cut short by injury—and the proceeds will go to fund renovation work in the parish of St Mary's, Calton, in which Brother Walfrid founded the club 120 years ago.

The beautiful 12 inch high sandstone cross— one of a limited edition of 100 —bears the number 40 in recognition of the Lisbon Lions' anniversary this summer. It is housed in a Waterford Crystal base and is regarded as a unique link with Celtic's roots.

To emphasise the links between past and future, the current Parish Priest of St Mary's, Monsignor Peter Smith will travel to the convention to thank delegates for their concern for and interest in the church in which their club was founded and the ambitious plans to restore it to its former glory.

Mgr Smith said: "We are hopeful that Celtic fans from all round the world, gathered in Las Vegas will be generous in buying raffle tickets to win the cross.  It's a unique opportunity to own a piece of the history of the club, and at the same time carry on the vision of Brother Walfrid to improve the lives and conditions of the people of St Mary's."

The first cross commissioned from the stone of the parish hall was presented to Celtic last year and in return the Celtic Charity Fund presented a cheque for £5000 to St Mary's restoration fund as a token of gratitude to the parish community out of which the club grew.

 St Mary's is the second oldest Catholic church in Glasgow, and restoration work will cost in excess of £1m.


  
  Bid to Use Celtic's US Links to Restore Church

By Gerry Braiden

Ambitious efforst to restore the birthplace of one of Scotland's greatest sporting institutions has gone Stateside.
St Mary's Church in Glasgow's east end., where Brother Walfrid founded Celtic in 1887, has fallen into a state of disrepair over the decades, with £1m now required to complete structural improvements.

More than £750,000 has been spent making it secure against the weather. Funding was provided in part be the Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland because the building is the oldest Catholic church in Glasgow after St Andrew's Cathedral.
The Catholic Church in Glasgow now hopes to capitalise on Celtic's links with the chapel and the resurgence of interest in the club's founder.

Monsignor Peter Smith, parish priest at St Mary's, is travelling to the gala convention in Las Vegas of 2400 Celtic fans on Friday to raffle a Celtic cross fashioned out of stone from the original parish hall in which the club was set up in November 1887.

He will brief delegates on the restoration and a proposal for a museum celebrating the Irish community in the area.Mgr Smith siad: "It's a unique opportunity to own a piece of the club's history and, at the same time , carry on the vision of Brother Walfrid to improve the lives of the people of St Mary's."		  
Brother Walfrid at the Las Vegas Convention

40 th Anniversary of Lisbon Lions

The North American Federation of Celtic Supporters Clubs (NAFCSC) have kindly agreed to raffle the No 40 Walfrid Stone Cross at their Las Vegas Convention. The No 40 Cross will take centre stage at the Gala Dinner on 29 June at the Riviera Hotel and Casino. Guests at the Dinner include the Lisbon Lions , Rosemary Simpson , Kathleen Murdoch and Agnes Johnstone. Other Celtic Legends that will be at the Dinner include Tommy Burns , Danny McGrain , and Paul McStay.

The Parish Priest of St Mary's Calton Mgr Peter Smith will also be at the Dinner to say Grace and to express his gratitude for the funds raised on the night. All proceeds from the raffle will go directly into the St Mary's Building Fund.
Hand Carved Celtic Crosses

Stonework from the building where Celtic was founded is being used to create a unique set of hand-carved Celtic crosses.

It is hoped that the historic collectors' items will generate funds towards the restoration of the refurbuishment of the St Mary's Church, Abercromby Street...

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To commission a Brother Walfrid Stone Cross contact: enquiries@walfridstone.com