Methodist Churches in the City of Lisburn

METHODIST CHURCHES

Broomhedge, Dromore, Magheragall, Priesthill, Seymour Street Trinity.

Seymour Hill Methodist Church, Dunmurry.

Lisburn - Seymour Street Methodist Church


Seymour Street Methodist Church, Lisburn, opened in 1875.	Notice Board at Seymour Street Methodist Church.


Rev. Brian Anderson Minister	Rev. Winston Good Assisting Retired Minister

Seymour Street, Lisburn.

Minister: Rev. Brian Anderson
Telephone: 9266 2303

Sunday worship:
Morning: 11.30am
Evening: 6.30pm

During July and August the congregation joins with some neighbouring churches for Summer Epilogue Services at 8.00pm.

Web site: www.seymourstreet.org

The sign at the first Methodist Preaching House in Lisburn. The building in Market Street, Lisburn is now used by the Christian Workers’ Union and the hall was, in 1914, “The Lisburn Electric Picture Palace”.

HISTORY

John Wesley attached such significance to Lisburn that he visited it on several occasions, and it is claimed that the Lisburn Methodist Society was one of the earliest founded In Ireland. During the years it has grown in strength and influence. Great crowds were attracted by John Wesley’s preaching, and it soon became obvious that a place of worship was needed. Eventually all obstacles and opposition were overcome and a site was secured in Market Street. A building was erected on the site now occupied by the Christian Workers’ Hall, and was opened for worship in 1772. Methodism progressed in Lisburn, and a site was sought for a new church. Sir. Richard Wallace gave a plot of ground at the junction of the Belfast and Low roads, and the church, costing £2,700, was opened free of debt in 1875.

A full history of the church by George E. Orr (Published in 1975) is shown on this web site, click on: Lisburn Methodism (Centenary) 1975

Broomhedge Methodist Church


Rev Ed McDade Minister	Broomhedge Methodist Church, built in 1897.

Halfpenny Gate Road, Moira.

Minister: Rev Ed McDade
Telephone: 9262 1282

Sunday services:
Morning: 11.45am
Evening: 2nd Sunday each month
(alternating with Magheragall Methodist Church)

Notice Board at Broomhedge Methodist Church.

HISTORY

The origins of Broomhedge Methodist Church go back to 1751 though the present church building was constructed in 1897. Today, Broomhedge has a friendly congregation of about 40, which includes an active Sunday School work. A youth club meets in the church hall on Saturday nights and the congregation undertake numerous gospel and social activities throughout the year.

Dromore Methodist Church


Rev Colin Gracie Minister	Dromore Methodist Church, opened in 1871.

Maypole Hill, Dromore.

Minister: Rev Colin Gracie
Telephone: 9269 3929

Sunday Worship:
Morning Worship: 11.00am
Evening Worship: 6.00pm

HISTORY

Methodist work in Dromore was the result of an evangelistic outreach on the part of the Lisburn Circuit in 1770. In that year, one of the three ministers stationed in Lisburn was a young man called William Myles. He came to Dromore one day and preached in the street and a number of bystanders were won for Christ. Those early converts became the first Dromore Methodists. A Society was formed as part of the Lisburn Circuit. Among the converts in those days was Maria McNeill, described as “a poor, but respectable widow”. Mrs McNeill opened her home in Meeting Street for Methodist Services. By 1804 this accommodation proved inadequate for the increasing congregation. The use of the Market House was sought, but refused. Consent of Conference was obtained for the erection of a church, but as no means were available to build, the Society had to content with two small houses in Meeting Street. Out of these a large room was constructed in which services were held for eleven years.

A church was built in 1815, mainly through the enthusiasm of a man called John Ross, from Clare, near Lurgan. He came to live in Dromore as a young man and began to take part in the meetings of the Society. Very soon he became a most acceptable Local Preacher and Class Leader. For 40 years he watched over the Society with such care and devotion that he is justly called “the father of Dromore Methodism.” He secured the present site and the first church was opened and dedicated in September 1815. The building, which probably only occupied a corner of the site, was a plain structure with forms and desk. Later a pulpit was added.

As Methodists continued to grow in number it became evident that a larger place of worship was needed. The foundation stone of the present church was laid in April 1870 and the church was opened for worship in March 1871. The cost of the building was £2,000. The manse was built in 1878 and the school room in 1896. Kitchens and toilets were added in the late 1930s and a car park was laid in 1966. The church purchased a Masonic Hall, which stood on this site, but being in poor condition it was demolished to make way for the enclosed park.

The present minister, the Rev Colin Gracie, previously minister of Birr, Athlone and Tullyamore Methodist Church commenced his ministry at Dromore and Priesthill on Sunday 13th July 2008. He succeeds the Rev Robert Wallace who retired from active work and now lives in Lisburn. A thanksgiving service for Mr Wallace was held in Priesthill Methodist Church on Sunday evening 22nd June.

A book written by J. Lennox Booth, gives a more detailed history of Dromore Methodist Church. To see the book, click on: Dromore Methodist, A Short History 1779-1979.

Lisburn - Trinity Methodist Church

Trinity Methodist Church, Lisburn, opened in September 2004.


Rev Ed McDade Minister	Notice Board at Trinity Methodist Church, Lisburn.


Mrs. Angela Sofley Lay Pastoral Assistant	David Twyble Links with local community

Knockmore Road, Ballymacoss, Lisburn.

Minister: Rev Ed McDade
Telephone: 9262 1282

Sunday morning services: 10.00am
Sunday evening services:
Oct – May (1st and 3rd Sunday): 7.00pm
No evening service during July and August

Web site: www.trinitylisburn.com

HISTORY

The new Worship Centre and suite of halls at Trinity Methodist Church in Lisburn was officially opened on Saturday 25th September 2004. Starting with a small group of worshippers in 1994, the congregation has grown to over 250. The new expanded premises, costing nearly £1 million, will enable Trinity to accommodate its growing congregation and meet the needs of the many youth activities and organisations of the church, as well as Trinity’s hopes and plans to reach out into the surrounding community.

Magheragall Methodist Church

Magheragall Methodist Church, opened in 2001.


Rev Ed McDade Minister	The Rev. Dr. Edmund Mawhinney Assisting Retired Minister

Glenavy Road, Lisburn

Minister: Rev. Rev Ed McDade
Telephone: 9262 1282

Sunday services:
Sunday Worship: 11.30am
Praise Service: 6.30pm (2nd Sunday each month alternating with Broomhedge Methodist)

HISTORY

The origins of this congregation go back to the 1790s, the old church (now a dwelling house) still situated on the Glenavy Road. In 2001 the new church building was opened on a site across the road beside the church hall. A congregation of about 100 meet for worship each Sunday morning. This includes an active Sunday School of around 40 which meets during the service.

The present minister, the Rev Ed McDade, previously minister of Cullybackey Methodist Church, commenced his ministry at Broomhedge, Magheragall and Trinity on Sunday 13th July 2008. He succeeds the Rev Clive Webster, who preached his final sermon as minister of his Lisburn charge at a farewell service in Trinity Methodist Church on Sunday evening 29th June.

Assisting Retired Minister, the Rev Dr. Edmund Mawhinney, was appointed in January 2005. Mr Mawhinney was Superintendent of the Lisburn Methodist Circuit from 1989 to 1990 before taking up the post of Secretary of Conference of the Methodist Church in Ireland.

Priesthill (Zion) Methodist Church


Rev Colin Gracie Minister	Priesthill (Zion) Methodist Church (left) and Church Hall.

Kesh Road, Lisburn.

Minister: Rev Colin Gracie
Telephone: 9269 3929

Sunday services:
Morning Worship: 11.00am
Evening Worship: 6.30pm

Web site: www.priesthill-zion-methodist.com

Notice Board at Priesthill Methodist Church, built in 1838 and enlarged in 1851

HISTORY

The first Priesthill Methodist Chapel was built in 1786. It was one of mud and roofed with straw, and seems to have stood somewhere on the Puddledock Road. It was used till 1838 when a better sight was chosen and a new edifice erected where the present Zion stands. The Church was enlarged in 1851 and a new hall was added in 1999.

Seymour Hill Methodist Church - Dunmurry


Seymour Hill Methodist Church, Dunmurry. The church was opened in November 1958.	Notice Board at Seymour Hill Methodist Church, Dunmurry.

Rev. Bill Lavery Minister

Ballybog Road, Seymour Hill, Dunmurry.
Minister: Rev. Bill Lavery
Telephone: 9267 9068

Sunday services:
Morning: 11.30am
Evening: 7.00pm

Website: www.methodistchurchinireland.org

HISTORY

Seymour Hill Methodist Church was officially opened in November 1958. The first minister of the church was the Rev. Robert Gallagher. In the early years of the church’s history, Mr Gallagher received assistance from the late Rev. Richard Ludlow. The Rev. James Turner succeeded the Rev. Robert Gallagher as minister in 1961 and was in turn succeeded by the Rev. Winston Good in 1966.

A new extension to the church premises was officially opened in 1970. The Rev. James MacCormack was appointed as minister in 1971 and remained at Seymour Hill until 1977 when the Rev. Samuel Clements succeeded him.

The Rev. John Moore was appointed minister in 1983, followed by the Rev. Dr. Brownlee Glenny in 1989 and was in turn succeeded by the Rev. Mervyn Kilpatrick in 1994 and the Rev Leslie Spence in 1997. The present minister the Rev. Bill Lavery, was appointed in July 2001.

Seymour Hill was part of the Lisburn Methodist Circuit until 1966, when it became part of the Finaghy Circuit