St. Cedma's formallywelcomes new rector

A new rector was instituted at the Grouped Parishes of Larne and Inver with Glynn and Raloo at a service in St. Cedma's last Thursday evening.
There was a large turnout in St Cedmas Parish Church for the institution of Rev David Lockhart (4th left) as the new Rector of the parishes of Larne & Inver with Glynn and Raloo, also pictured are (L to R) Venerable Paul Dundass, Archdeacon of Dalriada, Canon William Taggart, Registrar, Venerable George Davison, Archdeacon of Belfast, Rev William Henry, Preacher from the Maze Presbyterian Church and former Curate of the Parishes, Rev Philip Benson. INLT 36-001-PSBThere was a large turnout in St Cedmas Parish Church for the institution of Rev David Lockhart (4th left) as the new Rector of the parishes of Larne & Inver with Glynn and Raloo, also pictured are (L to R) Venerable Paul Dundass, Archdeacon of Dalriada, Canon William Taggart, Registrar, Venerable George Davison, Archdeacon of Belfast, Rev William Henry, Preacher from the Maze Presbyterian Church and former Curate of the Parishes, Rev Philip Benson. INLT 36-001-PSB
There was a large turnout in St Cedmas Parish Church for the institution of Rev David Lockhart (4th left) as the new Rector of the parishes of Larne & Inver with Glynn and Raloo, also pictured are (L to R) Venerable Paul Dundass, Archdeacon of Dalriada, Canon William Taggart, Registrar, Venerable George Davison, Archdeacon of Belfast, Rev William Henry, Preacher from the Maze Presbyterian Church and former Curate of the Parishes, Rev Philip Benson. INLT 36-001-PSB

Rev. David Lockhart, formerly rector of Cloughfern Parish, has taken up the position.

Rev. Lockhart has been the rector in Cloughfern, in Newtownabbey, for 15 years.

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He succeeds the Very Rev. Stephen Forde who is now Dean of Belfast.

He was instituted rector of the Grouped Parishes by the Ven George Davison, Commissary to the Bishop of Connor. The preacher for the service was Rev. William Henry, Maze Presbyterian Church.

Commenting on his new appointment, Rev. Lockhart said: “I am looking forward to new surroundings and to getting to know people in Larne and Inver and Glynn and Raloo.”

David grew up in Shankill Parish, Lurgan, where his father Norman Lockhart, Dean of Dromore, was rector.

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He studied at Queen’s University in Belfast, graduating with a BSc in chemistry. It was during his student days when he was very involved in the Church of Ireland Centre at Queen’s that he felt a calling to ministry.

After graduating, David went to Dublin to study theology.

He was ordained 25 years last June. Following a curacy in St Mary’s, Crumlin Road, Belfast, he spent several years as rector of St Stephen’s and St Luke’s in Belfast before his move to Cloughfern. He was North Belfast Rural Dean for five years.

David is married to Beverley and they have three teenage children, Naomi, Jonathan and Hannah.

Archdeacon Stephen Forde had been rector at St. Cedma’s since 1999.

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In Larne, he oversaw the completion of three major building projects, with the total restoration and refurbishment of Glynn Parish Church (1999-2000) and Raloo Parish Church (2005) as well as a significant extension to the Glynn church in 2012.

His role as Dean of Belfast was announced last October. He is based at St. Anne’s Cathedral.

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