|
|
|
The remarkable sequence of a new Presbyterian Church being opened every 10 years in the Bangor/Newtownards area over the last 60 years continues this Saturday, 29-05-99 at 3.00pm when Presbyterian Moderator Dr John Dixon dedicates the new church of Movilla situated on the Movilla Road, Newtownards.
'There has been an intensive programme of property development right across North Down since the end of the Second World War,' explained the minister of Movilla, Rev David Porter. 'This resulted in new estates springing up and through a process of church extension the Presbyterian Church began establishing congregations where the people were in these new build areas.'
St Andrew's, Bangor West, Kilcooley, Lisnabreen and Ballycrochan have all been built in that time in the Bangor area and have a membership today of approx 6000. Now with the focus of building moving to Newtownards, the establishment of Movilla was essential.
'We held our first service on September 3, 1995 when 27 families joined the fledging congregation,' added Mr Porter. 'Today we are opening a permanent Church building and have 265 families in membership and run a full range of activities alongside morning and evening Sunday services.'
The new building, costing £0.5m and seating 400, is designed to function both as a place of worship and as a hall. It was designed by the Gordon McKnight Partnership and built by McCombe Brothers of Antrim.
The opening will be performed by the Moderator Dr John Dixon. 'During my year I've opened many millions of pounds worth of new Presbyterian developments. This shows the commitment of our church to providing good facilities to carry on our work and in particular the Movilla project indicates our commitment to provide churches where people are.'
'The growth of Movilla is a real good news story,' continued Mr Porter. 'Our worship is attractive to the young families that the 'first time buyer' property here has brought to the area. During the last three Sunday's we have had six baptisms. Movilla is clearly an area of growth and it's exciting for the church to be part of that.'
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
PCI Home . . . Press Office . . . News Archive