Lisburn.com

 

Exiles Forum

Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

Re-opening and Dedication Service at
Second Dromara Presbyterian Church

The Rt Rev Dr David Clarke - Moderator of the General Assembly and Rev David Porter pictured at a Re-opening and Dedication Service in Second Dromara Presbyterian Church on Wednesday 9th May.

The Rt Rev Dr David Clarke - Moderator of the General Assembly and Rev David Porter pictured at a Re-opening and Dedication Service in Second Dromara Presbyterian Church on Wednesday 9th May.

Second Dromara Presbyterian Church was packed to capacity on Wednesday 9th May for a Re-opening and Dedication Service following major renovation to the interior of the building. The minister, the Rev David Porter led the service and the Moderator of the General Assembly The Right Rev Dr David Clarke dedicated the Church and gifts and preached the sermon.

For many years it was felt that the attractive but uncomfortable box pews needed replaced and that the heating and lighting needed upgrading. It was also felt that the interior doors needed to be increased in height by 9 inches to facilitate funeral arrangements and that work was also needed to improve the visibility of people sitting in the gallery by increasing the angle of the seating and replacing the wooden panelling at the front of the gallery with glass panelling. However, when work commenced in late November 2006 it was found that the floor also needed to be replaced. The work, which also included the installation of Powerpoint and upgrading of the sound system, was completed at a cost of just �168,000 due to voluntary labour in removing the old pews and flooring etc.

The church was re-opened for worship on Good Friday 6th April and the first Sunday service held on the 8th April.

Pictured at a Re-opening and Dedication Service in Second Dromara Presbyterian Church on Wednesday 9th May are L to R: (back row) Alan Marshall - Building Project Manager, Rev Gary Trueman - Moderator of the Presbytery of Dromore, Rev David Porter, the Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Trevor Lunn, the Rt Rev Dr David Clarke - Moderator of the General Assembly and Alderman Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA. (front row) Mrs Ann Marshall, Mrs Norma Porter, Mrs Hazel Clarke and Mrs Laureen Lunn - Mayoress. Second Dromara Presbyterian Church Choir pictured at a Re-opening and Dedication Service in Second Dromara Presbyterian Church on Wednesday 9th May.

Pictured at a Re-opening and Dedication Service in Second Dromara Presbyterian Church on Wednesday 9th May are L to R: (back row) Alan Marshall - Building Project Manager, Rev Gary Trueman - Moderator of the Presbytery of Dromore, Rev David Porter, the Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Trevor Lunn, the Rt Rev Dr David Clarke - Moderator of the General Assembly and Alderman Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA. (front row) Mrs Ann Marshall, Mrs Norma Porter, Mrs Hazel Clarke and Mrs Laureen Lunn - Mayoress.

Second Dromara Presbyterian Church Choir pictured at a Re-opening and Dedication Service in Second Dromara Presbyterian Church on Wednesday 9th May.
 

Memorial gifts of thirty pews and a new door were also dedicated at the service after which a delightful supper was served in the church hall. The Moderator, the Rt Rev Dr David Clarke brought the greetings of the General Assembly; the Rev Gary Trueman brought the greetings of the Presbytery of Dromore and the Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Trevor Lunn brought the greetings of Lisburn City Council. Alan Marshall who successfully managed the project gave an informative overview of the work. Other special guests included the Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson.

Brief history of Second Dromara Church

Second Dromara congregation was established to meet the needs of many Presbyterians who were unable to attend First Dromara Church by reason of distance. The first minister, Mr. John Murdoch, was ordained here in March 1845. The ministry of Mr. John Logan, ordained in 1895, saw extensive renovations carried out to the church property and during the ministry of the Rev. James Johnston (1968-1978) a new manse was built. The present minister, the Rev David Porter, was installed here in January 2001.

21/05/2007