Mayoral reception marks 150th anniversary
Bobby Howard (left), eldest son of the first Mayor of Lisburn, Alderman James Howard (1964-1970) shows Lisburn Mayor, Alderman Paul Porter a plaque which his father presented to Railway Street Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 17 1968 to mark the centenary of Presbyterianism in Lisburn. Included in the photo is John Kelly (right) who presented the Mayor with a copy of his book entitled, `Footprints in the Sands of Time' which charts the history of Railway Street Presbyterian Church.
DURING a Mayoral Reception for Bobby Howard last Monday afternoon (October
25) Bobby spoke of the formation of Presbyterianism in Lisburn when he
showed the Mayor, Alderman Paul Porter a plaque which his father, the late
Alderman James Howard JP, OBE, first Mayor of Lisburn (19641970) presented
to Railway Street Presbyterian Church in November 1968 to mark the
tercentenary of Presbyterianism in Lisburn.
The Howard family had the plaque restored to its original condition and erected in the vestinule following major refurbishment of the church in 2008.
It is a constant reminder that the first Presbyterian congregation in
Lisburn was formed in 1668.
The second Presbyterian congregation, later to become known as Railway
Street, was formed on 13th November 1860.
The Mayoral Reception set the scene for a weekend of celebrations at Railway Street Presbyterian Church on Friday 5th to Sunday 7th November marking the 150th anniversary of the formation of the congregation.
The theme for the celebrations is 'Back to the Future' and the topic for each celebratory event is as follows: Friday 5th November at 8pm - Multi-media trip down memory lane and table quiz 'Rejoicing in our past'; Saturday 6th November at 9am - Breakfast, 'Taking hold of the present'; Saturday 6th November at 7pm - Fun Night 'Reaching to the future'; Sunday 7th November at 10.30am - Morning Anniversary Service 'Commitment to the Future' and Sunday 7th November at 6.30pm - Community Praise Service 'Together for the Future'.
The Mayor will be the special guest at the Sunday morning anniversary service and the speaker for the celebrations will ne the Rev John Dickinson.
In keeping with its mission statement 'Serving the Community', the church extends an open invitation to attend each of these special events marking this important milestone in the history of the congregation - everyone will be made most welcome.
Ulster Star
29/10/2010
