First Antrim Presbyterian Church

History

The congregation was founded in 1726 with around 90 families and placed under the care of Templepatrick Presbytery. It met first in the home of one of its members and later in an outbuilding at Masserene Castle. The Masserene family made ground available to lease at Millrow, since renamed Riverside, where the first church building was opened in 1729.

The first minister, William Holmes, was ordained at Millrow on 7 September 1730 and served until his death in 1750. The original building was replaced about 1800, and the congregation worshipped in its successor for the next 37 years. The foundation stone of the present church was laid on 9 June 1834 and the building was opened for worship three years later to the day, on 9 June 1837, at a total cost of £3000. In 1860 the congregation changed its name from Millrow to First Antrim Presbyterian Church.

In 1929 a decision was taken to build a new manse. A three acre site on the Greystone Road was purchased for £350 and the manse was built at a cost of £2230.

Two ministries together spanned almost a hundred years: Thomas West served from 1867 to 1919 and Matthew Majury from 1920 to 1961. West was Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in 1917, and a second minister of the congregation held that office in 1998.

The building

The Bruce Hall was built in 1882 and extended in 1959. The Majury Hall was built over the existing hall in 1969, and a new frontage was added to the halls complex in 1994.

Notable features

A memorial organ was presented to the church in 1932 by Dr J.J. Adams in memory of his late father. The instrument was given a complete overhaul in 1985 at a cost of over £16000.