Congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

161 Malone Road,
Belfast,
BT9 6TA

Sunday Service:
11.00 pm

Minister: Rev Alexander Wimberly
Clerk of Session: Mrs Rosemary Simpson
Tel: (028) 9066 7129

McCracken Memorial

Our congregation, originally named Upper Malone, was formed in 1930 by the Very Rev. Dr. David Taylor, acting on behalf of the church extension committee, to meet the need arising from new development and growth in population in the Upper Malone area of Belfast. The congregation originally worshipped in the building which, until 1893 had been St John's Church of Ireland. In 1932 the members called the first minister - David Dowling (1932 to 1957), who over 25 years was the real founder of the congregation. The present church was built in 1934 from a legacy left by Mary McCracken in memory of her father, whose name it bears. The church halls were built in 1956 and named the Dowling halls in honour of the first minister. The second minister was Kenneth Harvey (1959 to 1990) during whose time the youth organisations grew to be the largest in Ireland and the two-story Youth Centre was built. The third minister was David Irwin (1991 to 2003) who, with his wife Maureen, and his American student assistants developed a broader service to the members and a wider outreach at home and abroad.

The congregation has about 300 families and is sustained by Sunday worship and a large range of youth and adult activities. These include opportunities for fellowship, prayer and Bible study groups, activities related to mission, and recreational and youth organisations. Our church buildings are adapted for wheelchairs and the church is fitted with an audio loop for those who have difficulty with hearing. From its earliest years McCracken has been known for traditional church music - a reputation backed by a large choir, a unique Smethurst organ and a series of dedicated organists - notably Ivor Burns, Rob Anderson, Ted Grainger, and now (since 1968) Desmond Lowans. We welcome visitors from many backgrounds and from many parts of the world and are involved in interchurch activities with fellow Christians in South Belfast including those in Presbyterian, Methodist, Church of Ireland, and Roman Catholic churches. All our ministers, with one accord, have preached the essential unity of the Christian church and this, in words and music, is the vision that McCracken offers to its members and the character that it presents to the outside world.

Our mission statement requires us as members of the family of God to endeavour to honour Him in Worship, learn from His Word, live according to His Will and witness to His Son, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This we can only do with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.