Congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

St. James's Road,
Ballymoney, BT53
Co. Antrim.

Sunday Service:
11.30am
(6.30pm 1st & 3rd Sundays in the month)
(July & August at 10.30am with no Evening Service)

Minister: Rev. Trevor Magowan
Tel: (028) 2766 3217 (Manse); (028) 2766 2798 (Office)
Email: tmagowan@presbyterianireland.org

St. James's, Ballymoney

St. James's began in 1834 as a daughter church of First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church, taking the overflow of the congregation - often labourers and in household service. It was built on the old road to Coleraine but became locally known as "the church which leads to nowhere" as a new road to Coleraine was subsequently built, by-passing the church.

Architecturally, the church is renown as being a very fine example of a 'barn-shaped' Presbyterian Church, built of local basalt. The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1982 describes it thus: "A handsome well-proportioned squared basalt church. It has round-headed windows in the upper storey and rectangular in the lower. The interior gallery was erected in 1857. To the north, a hall erected in 1889 and a further one commenced in 1957, anachraustic in a rather uncomfortable classical style."

The church seats just over 520 and has approximately the same number of families - about 200 of which are over the age of 65. It is served by a Kirk Session of 27 Ruling Elders and a Congregational Committee of 50. There is a varied group of church organisations. Like so many congregations, it depends on a solid care of willing workers. The present minister is the eighth pastor.