The
Rev Geoffrey Allen B.A., B.Th. was installed as the new
minister of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church at a
Service of Installation on Friday 19th September. He
succeeds the Rev John Hawthorne, who moved to Dervock
Reformed Presbyterian Church in April 2006.
The Moderator, the Rev David Fallows (Kilraughts), led the
service and the preacher was the Rev David McCullough (Dromore)
who had been convener of the vacancy. Members of the Eastern
Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church conducted the
act of installation, taking part were: The Rev Prof Robert
McCollum (Lisburn), the Rev Andrew Kerr (Knockbracken) and
the Rev Prof David McKay (Shaftesbury Square). The Rev Harry
Coulter (Carrickfergus) gave the charge to the new minister
and the congregation. The congregational psalms sang were,
�O praise the Lord�, �The Lord�s my shepherd�, �To you I
lift my soul�, �At all times I will bless the Lord� and �His
name for ever shall endure�.
During
the service, Mr John McEwen (Clerk of Presbytery) gave a
brief history of the church: The Reformed Presbyterian
congregation of Dromara was formed in the year 1874. A
deputation of the congregation petitioned the Eastern
Presbytery on 16th February 1874 and a Committee of
Presbytery met the people at Dromara on 9th March and again
on 18th March. Explanation of the principles of the church
was given to the people by Rev Dr Houston and Rev J A
Chancellor. At the meeting 269 people applied for
membership. On 5th July 1874 the first church building, a
temporary wooden structure, which could seat 600 people, was
opened by Dr Chancellor. Rev Torrens Boyd, the first
minister, was largely instrumental in having the church
building and manse erected in 1876. He had traveled to
America on two occasions to raise money for these buildings.
The first elders, elected on 26th July 1874, were Richard
Copeland, James Bryson and Robert Mack. Since it was
established, eight ministers have served the congregation
(the Rev Torrens Boyd being their minister twice) they were:
Rev Torrens Boyd (1875-1890), Rev John McKee (1891-1897),
Rev Torrens Boyd (1898-1907), Rev William Warnock
(1908-1923), Rev Alexander Gilmour (1924-1952), Rev J
Renwick Wright (1953-1968), Rev Robert Hanna (1969-1988),
Rev Robert Robb (1990-1991) and Rev John Hawthorne
(1993-2006).
Following the service a delightful supper was served during
which time the new minister in his concluding remarks spoke
of his appreciation to the members of the Eastern Presbytery
for conducting the service of installation and the very
clear challenge from the word of God. He expressed his
thankfulness to all who had made the evening possible and to
those who had come to support the congregation of Dromara.
Mr Allen recognised the great kindness that had been shown
to his family already by the members of Dromara. Present
were family and friends some who had travelled a distance
from his former ministerial charge in Co Fermanagh and where
he had served as assistant in Larne, to the Rev James
Johnstone, formally minister of Castlewellan and Leitrim
Presbyterian Churches. Referring to his time of further
study at the Reformed Theological College, he recognised the
love and support of his wife Donna and children Chloe and
Ethan. Praising God for the Christian example of his own
parents and his wife�s parents, he spoke of the wonderful
message of the Lord Jesus Christ, true in all generations
and ours to proclaim. Quoting Isaiah 55, he explained how
the Lord desires us to put aside those things which do not
satisfy and seek the Lord while He may be found and how when
we answer the call of God we are satisfied in His love and
forgiveness giving all the glory to God.
Mr Allen commenced his ministry last Sabbath morning (21st
September) when he chose as the subject for his address,
�Christ the Name above all Names� based on Hebrews Ch 1.
Son of former Presbyterian Moderator, The Very Rev Dr Harry
Allen, he attended New Row Presbyterian Church, Coleraine
and in 1998 married Lisburn woman Donna Mullarchey; they now
have 2 children, Chloe (age 6) and Ethan (age 2). After
studies at Union College, Belfast Mr Allen gained a B.Th.
degree in 1998 and from 1997 to 2000, was Assistant Minister
at Craigyhill Presbyterian Church, Larne. In 2000, he was
ordained and installed as minister of Lisbellaw, Lisnaskea,
Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler Presbyterian Churches and
since resigning from this charge in 2007, he has pursued
further studies at the Reformed Theological College,
Belfast.
20/09/2008
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