Mayor to launch a new book on ‘Lisburn’s Churches’
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| John Kelly shows the front cover of his new book entitled ‘Lisburn’s Rich Church Heritage’ which will be launched by Lisburn Mayor, Councillor Ronnie Crawford on Friday 12th June at 7.30pm in Railway Street Presbyterian Church at an evening of celebration marking the 400th anniversary of the founding of Lisburn. |
Mayor to launch a new book on ‘Lisburn’s Churches’ at an evening of celebration marking the 400th anniversary of the founding of Lisburn
Lisburn Mayor, Councillor Ronnie Crawford, will launch a new book on Lisburn’s Churches on Friday 12th June at 7.30pm in Railway Street Presbyterian Church at an evening of celebration marking the 400th anniversary of the founding of Lisburn.
In his foreword to the book, Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson MLA says, “Churches are about more than buildings, they are about people and it is the people of Lisburn who contribute to the rich tapestry that has created the strong ecclesiastical presence we enjoy in our city today”. With that objective in mind, local churches writer John Kelly has compiled about 720 photographs taken at events during six years of churches reporting for the local press and mainstream church magazines. The book entitled ‘Lisburn’s Rich Church Heritage’ also gives a brief history of all 132 churches and places of worship in the Lisburn city area and in his introduction to the book John writes, “In celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the founding of Lisburn, I hope this book will have succeeded in creating a valuable and permanent record of its churches and places of worship”.
Special guests at the book launch will include Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson MLA, The Rt Rev Stafford Carson (new Presbyterian Moderator) and the Rev Donald Ker (new Methodist President). The Rev Dr Bert Tosh (Senior Producer of Religious Programmes, BBC Northern Ireland) will compere the evening and give a brief overview of the book. Stephen McLoughlin, Principal of the Lisburn School of Music, will be joined by soloist Dana Masters (USA) and some of his talented pupils who together with a choir comprising members of Lisburn city centre church choirs, will present a celebratory musical programme. Tom Whyte, Director of Music at First Lisburn Presbyterian Church, will conduct the choir accompanied by Gordon Myers, Lisburn Cathedral. Noel McMaster of Bakerloo Junction will recall bygone days of linen thread manufacture in Lisburn as he performs his great new song ‘Barbour Mill’ in addition to singing his well-known chart topping song ‘My Lagan Softly Flowing’.
Refreshments will be served afterwards in the church hall. The book will be on sale on Saturday 13th June, cost £5, at the Irish Linen Centre (Lisburn Museum Shop), the Island Civic Centre, the Faith Mission Book Shop, the House of Vic-Ryn (Inspire Books and Café) and a limited number of copies available from Smyth Patterson Ltd and some supporting churches. All proceeds from the sale of the book will be in aid of the Mayor’s charity, Diabetes UK.
Everyone will be made most welcome and it is hoped that all 132 churches and places of worship in the Lisburn city area will be represented at what proves to be a memorable and historic event.
Book signing
Members of churches who have pre-purchased books but are unable to attend the book launch can collect their copies from the Irish Linen Centre on Saturday 13th June between 10.00am and 12noon, when John will be available to also sign copies of the book.
About the author
John Kelly grew up in Ashfield, near Dromore, where he and his family attended First Dromore Presbyterian Church. In 1970 he moved to Lurgan where he was a member of the congregational committee of Hill Street Presbyterian Church. Since moving to Lisburn in 1978 he has been a member of Railway Street Presbyterian Church where for many years he was a youth leader. Since 1979 he has been a member of the congregational committee. An engineer by profession, he has worked in Human Resources and more recently in education and aero-structures. In retirement, his main hobby is writing. Since 2003 he has compiled church articles for the local press, many of which have been published in mainstream church magazines. In 2008, he published Footprints on the Sands of Time, charting the History of Railway Street Presbyterian Church, Lisburn (1860-2008). John is married with five children, including twins.
Caption for photo: 2009-332
02/06/2009
