New church hall facilities officially opened at Hillsborough Presbyterian

Members and friends attended a special series of services on September 22 and 23, with the emphasis firmly on thanksgiving. Contractors have been working for the past 12 months on the development, which has cost in the region of £1.3m. However, the project has been years in the making, involving detailed deliberations on the design and solid financial support from within the membership. The church’s Orr Hall has been extensively modernised, and a new complex established between it and the main church building. The congregation’s Minister, the Rev John Davey said: “The old premises served us well over the years but problems were beginning to reoccur and they were becoming very expensive to maintain. The modern facilities will benefit all our many church organisation and activities, as well as the local community. Our weekend was all about giving thanks to God for being able to be part of His great plan for us and for this congregation. I know that many of our members consider it a real privilege to be involved in something as significant as this in their service of God.”

The special series of events began on Saturday afternoon (September 22) with a service of dedication and the official opening. The Presbyterian Church’s Clerk of Assembly Rev Dr Donald Watts was the special preacher and led the act of dedication, while the official opening was performed by long-serving congregation member Mrs Eileen Baxter. After the service, members of the congregation and guests were able to enjoy a tour of the new premises and refreshments were served.

On Sunday morning (September 23), the guest preacher at a ‘Service of Thanksgiving’ was Lord Eames, former Anglican Primate of Ireland. There again was the opportunity for everyone to see around the premises and to share refreshments. Special music was provided at these two services by the Church Choir under their organist and choir mistress, Mrs Diane McMullan.

On Sunday evening (September 23) the many organisations within the congregation held an Olympics-style ‘parade of the nations’ from the village square to the Church for a ‘Celebration of Youth’ during which both Girls’ Brigade and Boys’ Brigade Companies were enrolled and Sunday School teachers dedicated.

The Clerk of Kirk Session, Mrs Ann Truesdale said: “There is palpable excitement among members of the congregation now that the Project has become a reality. I am sure our new premises will encourage us to offer God’s love to the community at large in very practical ways. Our hope is that we will be able to use the to facilitate the faith journey of our own members and others.”

Mr Derek McClelland, a member of the congregation who acted as Project Manager throughout recognised that the new facilities will enable the various organisations to extend the range of their spiritual, education, physical and social activities. “My greatest challenge throughout the past year has been to enable all organisations to continue with their activities while at the same time progressing both phases of the development.”