Hall of church ravaged by arson in Greenisland is demolished as rebuilding work to begin in 2026
A church that was destroyed by arson has had its adjoining hall razed, amid plans to rebuild the site.
The minister in charge has said that the “community resilience has been phenomenal” in catering for the displaced congregation, and she is glad that efforts are now in motion which will lead to them reclaiming their former home.
Greenisland Parish Church, also called the Church of the Holy Name, hit the headlines in September 2024 when it was consumed by fire on the very same day that it celebrated its 70th anniversary.
The blaze, which had been started at the rear of the church by children, spread to completely gut the hall (known as the Parish Centre) and the adjoining church-run community shop (like a mini-convenience store, selling low-cost groceries), while the main church building’s roof was destroyed.
The whole complex – church, hall, and shop – has been fenced off ever since, open to the elements.
Now the minister Rev Isy Hawthorne-Steele has spoken to the News Letter about the work under way at the site.
“We are in the process of demolishing, but we’ve demolished just the Parish Centre,” she said.
“The church itself, the walls are solid, so it won’t have to be demolished.
"It’s been stripped out of all contents that’s been damaged – which is extensive...
"The next stage is that the structural engineer will come in and look at the roof, and check the joists and will decide what’s needed.
"We reckon the timescale of that is we hope to actually be back in and operating in our church around Harvest time – around October.
"And if not October, we’ll set our sights on being in for Christmas of next year.
"Hand-in-hand, we’re working towards getting the Parish Centre rebuilt. That’s obviously down the line.
"It’s been a year and three months, so we’ve glad to at least get started on something.”
The font and the eagle have survived the fire and the subsequent weather damage, but “we don’t know yet about the organ and the piano… we’re hopeful they will dry out”.
Also surviving are the Grade B II listed building’s stained glass windows, which are boarded up.
She estimates the damage comes to around £3.5m to £4m, adding they are still in “negotiations” with the insurance company.
Meanwhile parishioners have raised about £140,000 towards repair work.
Whilst the church has been out of action, they have been holding their Sunday services at the neighbouring Methodist church, whilst the church office has been relocated to the local Presbyterian church, and Greenisland FC hosts their parents-and-toddlers group, among other things.
The shop has reopened in a nearby mobile.
"We’ve absolutely missed it, we just loved our church,” said Rev Hawthorne-Steele.
"Really the community resilience has been phenomenal as people have extended their hospitality to us.”
When it comes to the three boys accused of arson (two aged 11, one aged 10), prosecution was discontinued in favour of a community diversion programme.