Congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

35 - 37 Main Street,
Groomsport,
Co. Down BT19 6JR

Sunday Service:
11.30am and 7pm
During July and August 11.00am. No evening service.

Minister: Rev. Dr. D. Roger Purce
Telephone: Manse - (028) 9146 4259; Church Office - (028) 9146 2552
Email: rpurce@presbyterianireland.org Office: gportpc@googlemail.com

Groomsport

Groomsport is a small village situated 14 miles from Belfast, between the towns of Bangor and Donaghadee, on the County Down coast.

The Presbyterian Church in Groomsport was established in 1841 with 150 subscribers under its first minister, Rev. Isaac Mack. Church services were held in the home of a parishioner at 17 Main Street until a site was acquired in Main Street in June 1841. The Church was officially opened in 1843, with the bell tower and clock gifted a few years later.

Over the years there have been a number of links brtween Groomsport and Hungary. As a result of these links we have twinned with the congregation of Nagykoros which is approx 55 miles south east of Budapest.

Another well established link is between the congregation of Groomsport and Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey wherby, for 11 months of each year, oan intern from that Seminary, as part of their theological training, takes on the role of Assistant Minister within our congregation.

Groomsport Presbyterian Church in 2001 has a membership to 454 families made up of 976 individuals. Many of these families have lived and farmed in the area for generations. Others have moved into Groomsport to occupy new dwellings erected in recent years in the village. A significant proportion of our membership is also drawn from outside the immediate area from Bangor, Donaghadee and further afield.

Worship is held on Sunday at 11.30am and 7pm. Sunday School meets at 10.15am and there is a Creche facility each Sunday at 11.15am. The evening service is followed by the Lighthouse Coffee Bar which is a flourishing group of young people aged 13+. A Holiday Bible Club for Primary School age children is held annually one week in July, and a Bible study group meets midweek on a regular basis.

The Walter Nelson Hall complex, across the road from the church, accommodates both church and community activities. These include Presbyterian Women's Association, Boys' Brigade, Brownies, Rainbow Guides, Badminton and Indoor Bowling Clubs and Mums and Toddlers Group.

'Times and Tides in the Port' is a narrative history of Groomsport, with particular reference to the 150 years of Groomsport Presbyterian Church, and was published in 1991 to mark the church's 150th anniversary. Copies may be obtained by contacting our Church Office on (028) 9146 2552.

Our catering club caters for visiting groups during the summer months - contact (028) 9146 2552.

Coffee mornings are held every Saturday morning during June-August from 10.30 am-noon in the coffee bar of the Walter Nelson Hall. Members and visitors will receive a warm welcome.