International author to speak at Oakfield

Carrickfergus Borough has witnessed the first installation of a Reformed Presbyterian minister since the early nineteenth century.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Oct 2014, 15:51 BST
The Session of the Carrickfergus Congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, Jonatahn Stewart, Jonathan Hegarty, Rev Harry Coulter and Ronald Loughridge. INCT 38-140-GRThe Session of the Carrickfergus Congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, Jonatahn Stewart, Jonathan Hegarty, Rev Harry Coulter and Ronald Loughridge. INCT 38-140-GR
The Session of the Carrickfergus Congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, Jonatahn Stewart, Jonathan Hegarty, Rev Harry Coulter and Ronald Loughridge. INCT 38-140-GR

Carrickfergus Reformed Presbyterian Church has been meeting in Oakfield Community Centre since 2004 and following a period of consolidation has developed to the point where it has been able to call the Rev Harry Coulter as its pastor.

The Covenanting tradition has a long history in the area with the Solemn League and Covenant being commemorated on Castle Green on April 4, 1644. For much of the intervening period Covenanters in Carrickfergus have associated with Loughmourne Church which is now part of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland.

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Over the past decade the fledgling congregation has had a developing ministry through its outreach programme to adults and to young people. Rev Coulter explained that the church’s mission in its community work is to “bring hope to broken lives”.

The Presbytery at the Installation of Rev. Harry Coulter to the Carrickfergus Congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. Dr John McKelvy, Rev Warren Peel, Rev John Hawthorne, Rev Harry Coulter, Prof David McKay and Rev John McKevey. INCT 38-139-GRThe Presbytery at the Installation of Rev. Harry Coulter to the Carrickfergus Congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. Dr John McKelvy, Rev Warren Peel, Rev John Hawthorne, Rev Harry Coulter, Prof David McKay and Rev John McKevey. INCT 38-139-GR
The Presbytery at the Installation of Rev. Harry Coulter to the Carrickfergus Congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. Dr John McKelvy, Rev Warren Peel, Rev John Hawthorne, Rev Harry Coulter, Prof David McKay and Rev John McKevey. INCT 38-139-GR

On October 31, the congregation is hosting an event in Oakfield at which internationally known speaker and author Dr John Blanchard will talk on the subject ‘Why believe the Bible?’. Dr Blanchard has over 15 million copies in print in 60 languages.

Recently, the congregation took possession of the former Loughmourne manse at North Road and has been granted planning permission to use it as a centre of outreach and worship. Until the building undergoes renovation the church continues to meet for worship in Oakfield Community Centre at 10.30am and 7.00pm each Sunday, on a Wednesday at 8.00 pm for bible study and prayer and on a Friday from 7.00pm to 9.30pm for youth clubs to primary and secondary school children.

Anyone wanting further information should contact Rev. Harry Coulter by telephone: 93 366 201 or by email [email protected]