Historic Belfast Presbyterian church bought by Limerick-based Roman Catholic institute

A historic former Presbyterian church in north Belfast, which closed last year due to dwindling numbers of attendees, has been bought by a Limerick-based Roman Catholic church.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Oct 2019, 07:45 BST
Fortwilliam and Macrory Presbyterian Church closed in October 2018. The church said exceptional demographic change meant it was no longer viableFortwilliam and Macrory Presbyterian Church closed in October 2018. The church said exceptional demographic change meant it was no longer viable
Fortwilliam and Macrory Presbyterian Church closed in October 2018. The church said exceptional demographic change meant it was no longer viable

Fortwilliam and Macrory Presbyterian Church on the Antrim Road shut its doors last October after 133 years.

However, the Grade B+ listed building is to continue as a place of worship following its purchase by the Institute of Christ the Sovereign Priest for an undisclosed sum.

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Canon Wulfran Lebocq, spokesperson for the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, said they are very grateful to the elders and community at Fortwilliam and Macrory Presbyterian Church for the opportunity to take over the sacred building, which will “remain open for Christian worship”.

Canon Wulfran Lebocq of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign PriestCanon Wulfran Lebocq of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest
Canon Wulfran Lebocq of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest

The institute, which conducts masses in traditional Latin, also expressed its “profound gratitude” to Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor for permission to acquire the church.

Canon Lebocq said the cost of purchasing Fortwilliam and Macrory church has been met by an interest-free loan from a “UK family”, which it will have to reimburse.

Commenting on the change of denomination for the church building, Canon Lebocq said: “We see that as a good sign because the community here are all very happy – they are especially happy that the church will still be used for Christian worship and be open to the public.

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“They are happy to know the church will be open to everyone. They will be welcomed and see the church and all the different activities. It’s a project that makes many people happy.”

Founded in 1990, the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest works across the globe to “promote the spiritual Kingship of Christ”.

It is unclear if the church building will undergo any refurbishment work and a date for reopening has not yet been confirmed.

Commenting on the sale, Rev Jim Stothers, deputy clerk of the Presbyterian Church’s general assembly, said: “Given that Fortwilliam and Macrory congregation’s kirk session preferred that it would not be sold to a secular organisation, it was bought by a Catholic religious institution.

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“This isn’t the first time that a former Presbyterian church has been purchased by the Roman Catholic Church. The former Ekenhead Presbyterian Church on Donegall Street, in north Belfast, was sold to the Catholic Church in the early part of the last century.”

Rev Stothers said proceeds of the sale of Fortwilliam and Macrory would go to the Presbytery of North Belfast’s Urban Mission Trust and the General Assembly’s Council for Mission in Ireland.