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Presbyterian Moderator Dr Harry Allen will return home this weekend to the First Portadown congregation to start their new building programme. In a ceremony beginning at 2.30pm on Saturday 26th October at a site adjoining the church in Bridge Street , Dr Allen will cut the first sod before taking part in a short service in the church to ask God's blessing on the project.
Dr Allen was born and brought up in Portadown, initially in the Church of Ireland tradition, before joining First Portadown. He was only a member there a few months when he decided to become a candidate for the ministry.
"I naturally have many happy memories of First Portadown and it will be a pleasure to be with the congregation on this special day," said the Moderator.
The building programme that the Moderator is starting will see the construction of a new halls complex to replace those built as a temporary measure in 1929 and meant to last only 25 years.
"The congregation has totally outgrown the hall accommodation we have at present," explained First Portadown's minister, Rev Desmond Knowles. The halls have lasted over 40 years more than they had been intended to and we really need to provide good facilities for the growth of our church activities. Naturally we are delighted to have Dr Allen here in his moderatorial year since he is the first member of the congregation to attain this high office." First Portadown's senior minister, Dr William Craig was moderator in 1979.
The halls will be build on land adjoining the present church building, some of which has been donated to the congregation. The completion date has still to be finalised but the new accommodation will consist of a 400 seater hall, kitchen and creche facilities and a range of meeting rooms for youth organisations, choir, committee, minister and session.
For further information and arrangements for photography contact Rev Desmond Knowles, Tel: 01762 332376
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