church hall in a bid to keep up with their growing flock.

Canon Alan Tilson told The Royal Gazette that the addition was built to help the church cope with the demands of its growing congregation.

"The church has been expanding significantly over the last couple of years,'' Canon Tilson said. "The Sunday attendance at worship has doubled.

"A few years ago the Sunday school had two-or-three children, now we have over 40 on the roll. We had to do something. We did not have the facilities to cope with the growing church community.'' And thanks to the generosity of the church community, he said, construction on the facility began last spring.

"We had a magnificent fund raising campaign called the Legacy Campaign because the church family wanted to leave a legacy to the next generation and that's what the hall will be,'' Canon Tilson said. "The past generation left us a wonderful church building.'' And he said the church, to date, has received a total of $1 million in cash and pledges.

"People have given and we have reached $1 million in cash and pledges,'' Canon Tilson said. "We have raised in one year $700,000 in cash directly from the Holy Trinity Church family. We did not go to corporations.'' The new hall was designed by Stephen West to be a multipurpose hall. It features a stage which doubles as a conference room and Sunday School room, Canon Tilson said.

There is also a new church office, rest room facilities and two storage rooms.

"It has a wonderful kitchen with an all stainless steel, well equipped kitchen,'' he said. "And the building is wheel chair accessible.'' Canon Tilson said the facilities will be used for both educational and recreational purposes.

"I hope it will become a real community centre not only for Holy Trinity family but the whole community,'' he said.

Canon Tilson said with the facility, the church also intended to introduce to Bermuda a game called Indoor Carpet Bowls.

"You bowl on a six foot carpet and you aim for the Jack, not ten pins,'' he explained. "It is suitable for all ages from eight to 80-years of age. It is a gentle game.'' The hall was officially dedicated by the Bishop of Bermuda the Rt. Rev. Ewen Ratteray last Sunday. Canon Tilson and his wife Jenny performed the official opening ceremonies which was followed by a reception and an open house.

GRAND OPENING -- Holy Trinity Church in Hamilton Parish officially opened their new church hall last weekend.