Congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

Ballyeaston Village,
Ballyclare,
Co. Antrim

Sunday Service:
11.30am and 7pm
(1st Sunday of the month)

Minister: Rev. Edwin McDowell
Telephone: (028) 9332 2578

First Ballyeaston

The congregation dates back to 1676; the first minister William Adair being one of a delegation who met William of Orange when he landed at Carrickfergus. The church is located about 1 1/2 miles from Ballyclare in the small scenic and historic village of Ballyeaston that has featured in recent years in the 'Best Kept Village' competition.

We are a congregation of some 325 families offering a wide variety of activities to the local community including youth organisations such as the Girls' Brigade, Youth Club and Youth Fellowship. There are bowling and badminton clubs as well as a Presbyterian Women's Association branch for the ladies.

One feature of the congregation's history is the length of service given by the ministers, the present one being only the 11th since the congregation's formation. Ballyeaston's marriage records go back to the early 1800s and the baptismal register is computerised.

This is a congregation that is progressive in its worship and life, and seeks to reach out to serve the local community. Its church halls have undergone major renovations in the past few years and this project is now complete.

The church has a public entertainments licence granted by the local authority.

A major component of the church's work is geared towards youth and instruction in the Christian faith. The congregation sees itself as being progressive in outlook while still emphasising the evangelical nature of the Christian faith.