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History
The Congregation was organised in 1841 by the Rev. Abraham Liggat.
The foundation stone of the Church was laid on 25th April 1842 by James S Crawford, Esq. In the beginning of May, Mr Liggat proceeded to Scotland, soliciting help for the Building Fund. He secured the sum of £160, which, together with £20 from Liverpool and £80 from Belfast, enabled building operations to continue successfully. In September 1842 the Church, though not completed, was in a state to be used for worship, and was opened with a Special Service on Tuesday 13th September, conducted by Rev. James Morgan of Belfast, when £50 was realised at the collection.
The building being completed, the Church was re-opened for public worship on 19th June 1843. The Rev. Dr. Cooke of Belfast performed the ceremony. In 1900 Mr Dickson arranged to have the Guild Hall built, which was completed in 1901. The Rev. Harry McMaster in 1931 extensively renovated the Church building adding the porch to the front of the building, putting in the wood panelled ceiling and installing the canvas of 'I am the True Vine'. The war memorial organ was installed in 1952.
In 1967 the Park Halls were opened and in 1980 they were re-roofed and extended. The Church itself was extended by the addition of a Vestibule, the Upper Room and Library and the incorporating of the former Vestibule into the main Church building and the remodelling of the choir area in 1987/88. The renovated and extended buildings were dedicated by the Moderator on 27 October 1988.
Former Ministers
1841 - Rev. Abraham Liggat, ordained 26th October 1841
1852 - Rev. John Quartz, ordained 29th June 1852
1900 - Rev. William Dickson, B.A., installed 4th September 1900
1909 - Rev. William J McFarland, B.A. ordained 21st September 1909
1919 - Rev. William Orr, M.A., installed 23rd September 1919
1923 - Rev. Harry McMaster, LL.B., installed 12th April 1923
1935 - Very Rev. W.A.A. Park, M.A., D.D., ordained 1st January 1935
1973 - Rev. D J McKelvey, B.A., B.D., installed 17th May 1973
Halls Renovation
Our halls underwent extensive renovation and extension in 2011. They were officially opened and dedicated by the Moderator, Dr Ivan Patterson on 20th November 2011. They offer our church a more open, welcoming environment to socialise in after church over coffee, for our parents to chat in while waiting for their kids to come out of our various activities and for our youth (and older folk!) to 'hang out in!' They are an amazing asset for our church and we hope we will be able to enjoy them for many years.