50th anniversary celebration for Newtownabbey church with ‘moving wall’

Presbyterian Moderator Rev David Bruce has helped Abbey Presbyterian Church to mark the 50th anniversary of the first service held at the Newtownabbey location.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Dec 2020, 13:04 BST
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With celebrations curtailed due to Covid-19 restrictions, Rev Bruce, who later planted a tree, was guest speaker at a service live-streamed from the church on Sunday.

As Monkstown developed in the late 1960s, a congregation began to meet in various local places before the building was erected in 1970. Right on the corner of the Monkstown and Jordanstown roads, it is known to many locally simply as the ‘white church on the corner’.

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It is just as famous, though, for its moving wall - a two story high partition that still moves after 40 years at the touch of a button, adapting the space for different needs.

Presbyterian Moderator Rev David Bruce (left) with Abbey Presbyterian Church minister Rev Alan Carson.Presbyterian Moderator Rev David Bruce (left) with Abbey Presbyterian Church minister Rev Alan Carson.
Presbyterian Moderator Rev David Bruce (left) with Abbey Presbyterian Church minister Rev Alan Carson.

The current minister Rev Alan Carson said: “I’d say I’m the only minister that can talk about his church’s moving wall! But our vision is to move beyond our walls to bring the good news of the gospel into the community and world.”

As well as activities for all ages within the premises (in normal times), the church partners with organisations like the Newtownabbey Foodbank, Christians Against Poverty, Monkstown Village Initiatives’ Youth Works and with other community groups. It also has involvement with local schools and supports world mission and the persecuted church.

Whilst it has clearly been a difficult year, the church has invested in significant improvements to the facilities and embraced new opportunities from partnering in the ‘Monkstown Meals’ initiative, which is providing hot meals for households in difficulty, to embracing on-line ministry with an active Facebook page and a YouTube channel.

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Christmas services will continue in person and live-streamed, and there’s even a drive in carol service planned for Sunday, December 20, at 3.00pm.

Presbyterian Moderator Rev David Bruce plants a rowan tree as Rev Alan Carson looks on.Presbyterian Moderator Rev David Bruce plants a rowan tree as Rev Alan Carson looks on.
Presbyterian Moderator Rev David Bruce plants a rowan tree as Rev Alan Carson looks on.

“Circumstances change,” said Rev Carson, “but the good news message doesn’t. Thankful as we are for the past, we look to the future.”

Click here to read: Outgoing Moderator reflects on challenges of a pandemic-hit year in office

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Related topics:Newtownabbey