Minister is ‘looking forward to new challenge’ at Islandmagee church

The service, attended by moderator of Carrickfergus Presbytery Rev Gary Glasgow, marked Rev Bovill’s ordination following four years as assistant minister at Whiteabbey Presbyterian.

With predecessor Karen Campbell having moved on to Kilbride after five years in First Islandmagee, Rev Bovill will head up a congregation of 250 families at the church - a challenge that the 35-year-old is keen to tackle. “I grew up in Comber and was a member of Granshaw Presbyterian, so I didn’t have any previous links with Islandmagee, but I’m looking forward to getting to know the congregation and the people,” Peter said.

“I actually started out studying Engineering and Business at the University of Ulster Jordanstown, then worked for an engineering company in Belfast for three years. After that I studied at Union Theological College in Belfast before taking up the post as assistant at Whiteabbey.”

Married to Jacqui, Rev Bovill has two daughters, Esther (4) and one-year-old Eliza. “We’re living in east Belfast at the moment but my family will be moving up to Islandmagee in August; Esther will be starting school at Kilcoan Primary,” he added.

“The whole process of the congregation and myself as minister coming together is happening at a very good time; Islandmagee is the sort of place that has grown a lot in recent years and I’d expect to see a lot of new families starting to come into the church. It’s a beautiful part of the world and has a lot going for it, particularly with everything that’s going to happen with the Gobbins next year.”

A keen musician, Rev Bovill plays the bass guitar and piano. “I also like to play golf, so in that sense I’ll be spoilt for choice in Islandmagee,” he said. “As long as the congregation don’t think I’m just playing golf all day.”