Service celebrates the 175th Anniversary of Magheragall Parish Church

Bronwen Dark (the Rector�s wife) her 3 year-old daughter Claire and Eleanor McKnight (right) pictured cutting a birthday cake celebrating the 175^th Anniversary of Magheragall Parish Church.

A Service of Celebration was held in Magheragall Parish Church last Thursday evening (25th May) to mark the 175th anniversary of the consecration of this beautiful old church on Thursday 2nd June 1831. The Rector, the Rev Nicholas Dark led the service and the special guest was the Bishop of Connor, the Rt. Rev. Alan Harper. The organist Margaret Nelson and the church choir led the praise. Lisburn City Councillors and MLA�s, Ministers, Diocesan Readers and members from local churches and representatives from local schools attended the service.

In his Ascension Day address, the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Alan Harper, recalled that the then Bishop, Dr Richard Mant consecrated the church 175 years ago. He said that if Mant were to return today he would be amazed, just as amazed as the eleven who saw Jesus ascend into heaven. He continued, �Wonderful as it is to look back, we have to look forward. Nothing stays the same and in this immensely changing world, Christ is in all of it, ever present in the change but yet Himself - remains changeless; He is the same yesterday, today and forever.�

A balloon launch and supper in the church hall followed the service. Other events and celebrations planned include a sponsored abseil down the church tower next Saturday (3rd June) a Birthday Service (morning), Parish Party Lunch and Evening Praise Service next Sunday (4th June) and a Church Day Out to Rathlin Island on Sunday 11th May which will include attending Morning Service in St Thomas, Rathlin.

Pictured at a Service of Celebration in Magheragall Parish Church last Thursday evening (prior to the launch of 175 balloons) is L to R: (front row) Nigel Adams - Rectors Warden, Fred Ruddell, the Rt. Rev Alan Harper - Bishop of Connor, Rev Nicholas Dark - Rector, Rev. Canon J. R. Musgrave and Jacqui Adams - Peoples Warden. (back row) Rev Canon Will Murphy, Jack Hassard, Jim Neill, Rev Donna Quigley, Helen McArthur, Rev Canon William Bell, Rev Tom Priestly and the Very Rev Hugh Kennedy.

Pictured at a Service of Celebration in Magheragall Parish Church last Thursday evening is L to R: (front row) The Very Rev Hugh Kennedy, the Rt. Rev. Alan Harper - Bishop of Connor, Councillor Trevor Lunn - Deputy Mayor, Laureen Lunn, Rev Nicholas Dark - Rector and Rev. Canon J. R. Musgrave. (back row) Jean Crawford, Councillor Ronnie Crawford, Rev Canon Will Murphy, Billy Bell - MLA, Leona Bell and Rev Canon William Bell.