May Street Presbyterian will step back in time to experience a Georgian style Christmas this Thursday 9 December from 5pm to 10pm. May Street are celebrating their 175th anniversary this year and the event, which is part of the 'Lightwell' programme is open to all. To facilitate the celebration Alfred Street and one lane of May Street will be closed from 6pm.
The event will carry a full Georgian theme, including roasted chestnuts, period costumes, a horse and carriage, a pig on a spit, Outremer Knights who will battle with each other, balloons for children and a Santa Claus dressed in the traditional green costume of the period.
Marks and Spencer will be sponsoring the festivities by serving non-alcoholic mulled wine as well as samples from their Christmas food range. All proceeds will be donated to the Simon Community.
The 'Lightwell' programme, marking the 175th anniversary of the church has been running since September. It began with a series of Thursday lunches and has continued with events for special interest groups held at a variety of times during the working week. These included a 'Stop Smoking Clinic' in association with the Ulster Cancer Foundation and also a support group for people experiencing marriage problems.
May Street Presbyterian first opened for worship on 18 October 1829. The first minister was Rev. Henry Cooke, a man of outstanding significance with Irish Presbyterianism. He was the second Moderator of the General Assembly in 1841 and his contribution to life in Ireland is marked by the statue representing him dressed in clerical and academic costume, which was erected by public subscription in College Square East. Over the years May Street has had a total of 11 ministers. During the 1950s and 1960s the church underwent two major schemes of renovation of its buildings costing £50,000. Today the church has a congregation of 98 families and largely ministers to workers who travel into the city on a daily basis.
Rev. Keith Drury, current minister of May Street is delighted by the buzz that has already been generated about Thursday's celebration, "Belfast deserves to be a brighter place. Our festivities will hopefully encourage people to celebrate this special and meaningful time of the year as they experience a different style of Christmas."
Issued by Sarah Harding, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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