New lease of life for old courthouse

Designed by Charles Lanyon and completed in 1838, the Courthouse at Charlotte Street has been given a new lease of life. Over the past two years this building, which has lain vacant for the past twenty years, has been extensively refurbished and is now a comfortable meeting place.

The facilities include a main auditorium which can seat up to 90 people along with ancillary rooms for smaller meetings, toilets and kitchen.

The current owners, Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian Congregation, have given a great deal of thought to the work on the interior with much of the labour being carried out in a voluntary capacity utilising many gifts within the Congregation.

The church says it is the intention to use this space for the benefit of the whole community where all will be welcome.

To mark the completion of the work and the return of the building to use, a series of public meetings has been organised for the four Tuesday evenings in October. Since its first beginnings in 1838, the building functioned as a Courthouse for over 140 years, so the fitting theme of the meetings will be judgement and the related consequences.

On the first evening, 5th October, Rev. Nigel Agnew LLB will speak on the Supreme Court where God is the Judge. The following week Mr Peter Lynas will take the stand as a Barrister setting the case for the defence. On Tuesday 19th Mr Alan Simpson will direct attention to the penalty from the point of view of the jailer and on Tuesday 26th Mr William Cowan will speak as one who has stood in the dock and been found guilty.

A spokesperson said; "The meetings are open to all and the congregation look forward to welcoming many into the building. Those who had an opportunity to attend the Courthouse in whatever capacity, during its previous usage are particularly invited to come along and see how the building has been transformed."

The Public Meetings are as follows: Tuesday October 5 - "The Supreme Court in Heaven" - Speaker Rev. Nigel Agnew; Tuesday October 12 - "The Advocate sets the Case" - Speaker Mr Peter Lynas; Tuesday October 19 - "The Jailer" - Speaker Mr Alan Simpson; Tuesday October 26 - "The Condemned man" - Speaker Mr William Cowan.

All meetings will be held in the Courthouse, Charlotte Street, Ballymoney, at 8pm.

Light refreshments will be served Everyone most welcome. Admission Free

This series of meetings has been organised by Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian Congregation. For further information contact Rev. E. McCollum on 02826849252.