Abbey Monkstown Presbyterian Church

History

Presbyterian involvement in Monkstown dates from at least 1855, when a school was erected for religious and secular education with both Carnmoney and Whiteabbey churches involved. In 1966, following the building of a large housing estate, new possibilities were explored, including a joint venture with the Church of Ireland and Methodist churches. The first service of the Monkstown church extension was held in April that year in a room above shops on Jordanstown Road, known as the Upper Room, and by June the congregation had moved to Monkstown Primary School.

A house on Bridge Road had been rented for some activities by 1967 and a wooden hall had been erected by 1968 on land bequeathed to the congregation. A further house, known as Abbey House, had been left to the congregation by 1969. The church building had been erected by 1970. Land including the site of the wooden hall and Abbey House was later sold for development and new halls were built connected to the church.

Notable features

The church building incorporates what the congregation's own history describes as the new concept of a moving wall, in place by 1970. The church's website records that it is known locally as the white church on the corner, or the church with the moving wall.