Dromara church reopens

Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church reopened on Sunday 25th October following the completion of a seven month programme of renovations.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Oct 2015, 12:26 BST
Rev. Geoffrey Allen with former minister Rev. Robert Hanna and Elders Mr. Harold Kerr and Mr. Gordon Bond.Rev. Geoffrey Allen with former minister Rev. Robert Hanna and Elders Mr. Harold Kerr and Mr. Gordon Bond.
Rev. Geoffrey Allen with former minister Rev. Robert Hanna and Elders Mr. Harold Kerr and Mr. Gordon Bond.

During this time some major structural works were undertaken and the interior of the church was redesigned to make better use of the worship space and create a new suite of rooms to be used for fellowship and outreach.

Two senior members of the congregation, Mrs Essie Bell and Mrs Rebecca Armstrong cut ribbons to open the doors to the new worship area.

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Speeches were made by Mr Gordon Bond (Clerk of Session), Mr Gareth Kerr (Congregational Secretary), Mrs Winnie Chambers (on behalf of the Women’s Fellowship) and Mr David Chambers (on behalf of the Covenanter Youth and the young people of the congregation).

The Rev. Robert Hanna, who was minister of the church from 1969 to 1988, then concluded the speeches reflecting on previous renovations in the history of the church and opened the building with prayer.

The present minister Rev. Geoffrey Allen conducted worship, and spoke on Christ “The Foundation of the Church” from Psalm 118.

The evening service was a large gathering of members, friends and neighbours of the congregation. The Choir began the service singing from Psalm 84 and the sermon was preached by the previous pastor of the congregation, Rev. John Hawthorne.

The reopening continues to be marked by a week of special meetings, running each evening from Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October at 8pm and on Sunday 1 November at 7pm.