Ballylinney Presbyterian Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Presbyterian Church in Ireland |
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Church and graveyard (2014)
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| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Calvinist |
| Polity | Presbyterian |
| Moderator | Right Reverend Dr David Clarke |
| Associations | World Alliance of Reformed Churches |
| Region | Ireland |
| Founder | James I |
| Origin | 1610 |
| Branched from | Church of Scotland |
| Separations | Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster (separated 1951) |
| Congregations | 560 |
Ballylinney Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian church located in Ballylinney, a small area in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It serves as an important place for worship and community gatherings for local families.
The Story of Ballylinney Church
The building of Ballylinney Church began a long time ago. Its first stone was placed on May 6, 1835. The church building was finished on September 11, 1836. By 1840, Ballylinney Church became part of the Presbytery of Carrickfergus. In 1842, the first elders, who are church leaders, were officially chosen.
In 1883, the church paid for a special house called a Manse. This house was built on Hillhead Road for the Minister, Rev Williams, and his family to live in. It was a two-story house with a large garden around it. Over the years, between 1923 and 1956, the church added new features. These included the first organ, electric heating, and electric lighting. By 1966, the old stables on the property were changed. They became a church hall and also had a kitchen and restrooms for everyone.
A new church hall was built in 1977. It was named after the minister at that time, Rev C. F. Young. This new hall became a busy place. The church's Children's Church and Girls Brigade groups started meeting there. Later, in 1997, more buildings were added to the hall. These new parts were also named after Rev C.F. Young.
Today, only some people in the church community are farmers. Most of the members are young families. The parents often travel to other towns for work. These towns include Larne, Belfast, or Ballymena. Currently, about 340 homes are connected to this church.
Ministers Who Served Ballylinney
- Rev. Isaac Adams 1837 - 1880
- Rev. James Foster Williams 1881 - 1899
- Rev. Hugh Craig Meeke 1899 - 1904
- Rev. John Kyle 1905 - 1911
- Rev. Wilson Moreland Kennedy 1912 - 1921
- Rev. Ernest McConnell 1921 - 1958
- Rev. Charles Frances Young 1959 - 1982
- Rev. Roy Vallely 1983 - 2009
- Rev. Emerson McDowell 2010–2023
See also
