Congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

Buckna Road,
Broughshane,
Ballymena

Sunday Service:
12.00 noon & 7.00 pm;
Sunday School - 10.45 am

Minister: Rev. Mark J.R. Neilly
Telephone: (028) 2568 4212
Email: mneilly@presbyterianireland.org

Buckna

Buckna Presbyterian Church, founded in 1756, is situated at the foot of Slemish mountain in the heart of the Braid Valley. The original meeting house still stands, although over the years, it has been extensively renovated, most recently in 1977. Surrounding the meeting house is a grave-yard, now used infrequently. In the 1930's the congregation purchased land for use as a new cemetery, and in 1960 used an adjoining field for the construction of church halls. Both the halls and the cemetery are across the road from the new manse, constructed in 1997 on the grounds of the old manse.

The first minister of the congregation was the Rev. John Logue, and since the commencement of worship at Buckna there have been 18 ministers with the most recent incumbent, Rev. Mark Neilly having only been installed on the 20th April 2001.

The church, serving a large, mainly rural community has over 270 families, with a total of 620 people claiming connection with the church. There are 233 names on the communion roll and a Sunday School roll just short of 120 children. We have between 320 and 370 people who attend morning worship and around 100 in the evening. Our midweek fellowship meets on a Wednesday evening, usually with around 80 people meeting for prayer and fellowship.

At present 15 elders serve the congregation, governing and visiting the congregation extremely well. The present clerk of Session is Mr. John Robinson, who does a tremendous job within the congregation, and is the lynchpin holding most things together.

The congregation is very active throughout the year with a host of organisations suiting all ages and interests.

For further information on Buckna visit their website at www.buckna.org