Sabbath Schoolchildren funded Craigyhill church

The building fund had been launched five years previously following a suggestion by minister Rev. Donald Fraser.

As a result, cardboard models of a church were distributed to Sabbath Schools north and south of the border.

Children were asked to fill the boxes by bringing an extra gift to raise £22,000, the cost of the new church building.

Donations were received from Sabbath Schools across Ireland from Balina, Malahide and Dundalk as well as counties Armagh and Derry and from Belfast.

The new church was located at Churchill Road with prominent features including a concrete and oak pulpit, two stained windows and a 60 ft free-standing bell tower. It had seating for 300 worshippers.

The church was opened by Moderator of the General Assembly Rt Rev Dr AA Fulton.

It was the first Presbyterian Church to be opened in Larne since Gardenmore during World War I.

The original church building was in Pound Street, when the congregation was recorded in September 1769.