Church warn that Greenisland Parish is now 'completely out of bounds' after devastating fire

The blaze broke out at the place of worship on Sunday, September 1 as nine fire appliances and 49 firefighters attended the scene on Station Road.

Fire crews had to be called out to the church for a second time the following night, after a fire had wrecked the church hall and part of the main church building the previous night.

In a statement on Facebook, Greenisland Parish Church confirmed that that the building is now completely closed off due to health and safety reasons.

The post reads: "Greenisland Parish is now completely out of bounds - the church, the garden, the parish centre, the shop: everything. The building is in a fragile state and may collapse further at any moment (there has already been some further damage during these past few windy days). So please keep out beyond the fence and stay safe.

"On a brighter note, all the clubs and organisations that usually start up in the first week of September are still going to start up - just in a range of different locations, thanks to the many generous invitations we’ve received to use venues all around Greenisland. We’ll post the details here as we get them - watch this space."

In a statement, the PSNI say they have charged two boys aged 11 and a 10-year-old with arson. The trio are due to appear at Belfast Youth Court on Monday, September 30.

Parishioners of the church held their Sunday service at Greenisland Methodist last weekend, where they were given an update by Rev Izzy Hawthorne-Steele.

She said: "The church hall is demolished and it's going to have to be totally put down.

"The youth room at the minute has collapsed in as well and underneath that is the quiet room and we are in fear of that coming down. If it goes then everything within the quiet room is going to be compromised.

"The stained glass windows of the church are still intact and we are very hopeful that the walls will sustain their rigour and strength and that won't be compromised.

"We've lost a lot within the church because of damage. That's water damage and smoke damage, so we are in fear of things like our furnishings.

"One of the choir pews we put in the store has burnt...we are not sure of the state of the organ. We also think the piano is ruined.

"We got some vases and stands out but it's too dangerous now to go anywhere near it.

"We think we have lost our chairs due to the elements and the fire."

It was added that the Church of Ireland will use the hall at Greenisland Methodist until Harvest (October 13), with discussions to be made about future plans.

Furthermore, all the stock from the church’s shop has been destroyed and it is hoped that a contractor can be found by Easter time for rebuilding works.