Huge turnout at church’s newly-built meeting house

Huge turnout at church’s newly-built meeting house

27 June 2018

APPROXIMATELY 400 people gathered at Carryduff Free Presbyterian Church recently to witness the Rev Thomas Murray, Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, officially open and dedicate the newly-built meeting house.

It was a historic night in the 42-year history of the work at the former Killynure Schoolhouse.

The official service began with community singing, ably conducted by Rev Fred Greenfield, followed by the opening ceremony at the front door.

The keys of the church were presented by Mr Silas Cousins, the main builder, Mr Murray, who officially declared the church open and offered a dedicatory prayer.

Within the entrance porch, Rev David McLaughlin, church minister, and Mr Murray, unveiled memorial stones commemorating the event. Rev McLaughlin made reference to the testimony and witness of past members, who, he said, were now at home with the Lord.

After the singing of Psalm 100 Mr McLaughlin welcomed the large assembly and gave a brief account of the workings of God in the congregation from its constitution 22 years ago.

The Rev Gordon Dane, Deputy Moderator and minister of Crossgar Free Presbyterian Church, opened in prayer. The ure reading from Matthew 7 v15-29 was read by Rev Graham Middleton.

Laurence Crawford, who attended the Sunday School and children’s meetings in the old Killynure Schoolhouse, sang, with his group, the Kingdom Heirs, two lovely pieces entitled, My Chains Are Gone and I Come To The Garden.

On the second song, the group were joined by Mr Middleton, who attended Killynure meetings with Laurence and sang with the Kingdom Heirs many years ago.

Rev Alan Smylie, minister of Ballygowan Free Presbyterian Church, brought greetings from Presbytery and Mr McLaughlin proffered, on behalf of the Carryduff congregation, many acknowledgements to the architect, the main contractor, various tradesmen and a band of willing helpers and cleaners who all contributed to make the opening possible.

After the offering hymn, Mr McLaughlin offered a thanksgiving prayer for the sacrificial giving of many individuals inside and outside the congregation during the past 17 years.

The Clerk of Session of the church, Mr George Anderson, oversaw the presentations to some of the key people involved in the construction of the new meeting house, followed by singing of a final hymn by the Kingdom Heirs, Just As I Am.

Mr Murray brought a stirring sermon on building your life on the solid rock of Christ and issued a call for Christians to be ready for any storms in their lives by strengthening their faith in Christ.

The total building fund offering for the first two weeks in June, including other gifts by local churches, amounted to £28,732.02.

After the closing hymn, Rev Gary Goodes, minister of Randalstown Free Presbyterian Church, publicly thanked Mr McLaughlin for his vision, passion and commitment to see a meeting house built in Carryduff. He proceeded to close in prayer, pronounce the benediction and gave thanks for the sumptuous supper provided by the ladies of the congregation.

The congregation wish to thank all who attended the opening service and for supporting the work financially. The church was full to capacity.

Mr McLaughlin also wishes to thank everyone who worked so hard to make it such a wonderful and memorable occasion and all the tradesmen who used their professional skill to produce such a masterpiece in architecture.