New vision for ministry and outreach in St Patrick’s, Ballymacarrett
At the Diocesan Synod on Thursday 20 June 2024, Bishop David announced a bold and exciting initiative to breathe new life into the worshipping community of St Patrick’s, Ballymacarrett.
With the support of Holy Trinity Brompton, Bishop David aims to establish a vibrant, Spirit-filled worshipping community on the lower Newtownards Road which will serve the local community as well as seeking to have a wide impact across East Belfast. Holy Trinity Brompton, as a national resource church in the Church of England, has successfully planted new churches in England, Wales and Scotland. The experience, wisdom and hospitality of the existing congregation will also play a vital role in this new chapter by welcoming new members and integrating new initiatives.
The parish of Ballymacarrett was created in 1825 and its first church Christ Church was consecrated in 1827. As industrialisation in Belfast spread to the east of the Lagan, there was a rapid increase in the population in Ballymacarrett during the mid-19th century. A much larger new church was bult in 1891 to accommodate a congregation of 1,500 parishioners and dedicated to St Patrick. Although this 1891 church building was severely damaged during the Belfast Blitz of 1941, the church was reconstructed after the war and rededicated in 1952. Population shifts associated with the Troubles led to a considerable decline in the size of the worshipping community.
Bishop David’s new vision for ministry and outreach in Ballymacarrett will see refurbishing and reordering work being carried out in St Patrick’s and a new staff team appointed with the plan of opening a new chapter in St Patrick’s ministry and outreach in September 2025.