“Central Belfast”, a church which began life as a team of just nine people who came together to pray in 2016 but now attracts well over 300, has been welcomed into the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) as its newest congregation.
A special service of thanksgiving to mark the event was held in the church in mid-October.
Located in what was the old May Street Presbyterian Church building in Belfast’s city centre, this is the first time that PCI has welcomed a new congregation into the Church since Donabate Presbyterian, in County Dublin, was admitted in 2010. “Central Belfast” now joins over 500 congregations that make up the all-Ireland denomination.
David Dickinson, who leads Central, said after the service: “Today has been another significant milestone in what has been the most astonishing journey of God’s faithfulness, goodness and grace. It is also evidence of God’s heart for the city of Belfast to see the church renewed and to see the city changed.
“Throughout the journey, I have often come back to what the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 3v10-11: ‘His [God’s] intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ God is building His Church, of which Central is just one tiny part.”
Established in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter in October 2016, Central began life as a church plant of Carnmoney Presbyterian Church, meeting on Wednesday nights.
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