Vision

Vision is a wonderful thing. It was Thomas Edison’s vision that brought us the light bulb, a common feature of most homes in the western world today. Andrew Carnegie was another visionary who pioneered the introduction of free libraries; his dream was that everyone would have access to knowledge. These are only two out of millions who had a vision for new thinking and new beginnings. It was the same driving passion and vision which in 1935 propelled the Rev. John Glass to pursue his God given dream of a Methodist Community, in what was then the little village of Glengormley.

It had come to the Rev. Glass’s attention that a nucleus of 10 Methodist families had moved into the area from Duncairn, Hydepark and Lynn Memorial Methodist churches. Naturally the little group wanted to worship as they had in the past, but as there was no church they decided to meet regularly in one of the member’s homes. This continued for a while, until an opportunity arose enabling the group to secure a recreation hut situated at the end of Church Road within Glengormley village. The hut was more spacious, but not very comfortable with its stone floor and low backless seating! Nonetheless it served a purpose and in a way seemed to point at ‘official’ sanction for Methodism in Glengormley. There were still many struggles ahead, but undeterred the Rev Glass continued to support and encourage, believing unreservedly that given time, a permanent Methodist centre would stand alongside other denominations within the expanding community.

Steadily the idea gathered momentum, enabling the Rev. J Glass (Superintendent of the Ligoniel and Hydepark Circuit) to gain support from various ministers and lay folk in the district, who were only too pleased to assist this small Methodist community in securing its own church building. These were ’heady’ days which brought much encouragement, however there were still so many obstacles it was difficult for members to see any way ahead. But to the delight of the Rev. Glass, the Leaders and members of Ligoniel circuit responded very quickly offering not only finance but ‘on the ground’ support, which in turn brought positive support from the Duncairn and Larne churches.

One of the first memorable gestures was when Duncairn Methodist Church promised to pay the required ground rent for a period of 5 years. Alongside this very generous gift a Notice Board was provided by Professor Bradbury and a Mr. Whiteside, both members of Duncairn. At the same time the Larne congregation, under the leadership of the Rev. W.T. Dennison presented the church with a brand new organ. Obviously the church could not support the services of a Minister, although once the problem became known the Ligoniel and Hydepart circuit promised to provide the services of a lay preacher, namely Mr Henry Harte (later Rev. Henry Harte). Thus, with everything now in place, the £1,600 dual purpose building in Glencairn Drive was under way, proving to be not only ‘a step in faith’ but, for such a small congregation an extremely heavy financial burden. However in a defining moment for the church , on 2nd November 1935 Glengormley Methodist Church was opened by Sir Samuel Kelly, who promised that for every £1 collected he would match it. This generous gesture resulted in a grand total of £210.00 being raised towards the building fund – an absolute fortune in those days. Methodism was now firmly established in Glengormley, and although the new church was small by today’s standards, it was adequate for a fledgling congregation.

In 1936 the Rev. Moore Lipsett was appointed, serving under the superintendency of the Rev. Ernest Shaw with the church coming under the supervision of Ligoniel and Hydepark Circuit. However, in 1938 when the Rev. John Stutt accepted responsibility for the Superintendence of the church, it was still in its infancy and although numbers were improving there were still ‘teething’ problems. At this time the new Superintendent was to prove not only a dedicated overseer of the church, but a very faithful friend who stood along with the leadership until the way ahead became more defined. Through his wise counsel and supervision, difficulties were overcome and many problems solved. At this time the church was moved to the jurisdiction of North Belfast Mission Circuit which endeavoured to provide basic facilities for the families. As the church expanded new needs emerged. These were brought to the attention of the North Belfast Mission Circuit and the Methodist Church in Ireland which in turn offered guidance and the necessary finance to assist a growing congregation. The securing of these wonderful church premises was indeed an answer to fervent prayer, but was only the beginning of an amazing vision for the church, which is perhaps best summed up in the words of Habakuk Ch 2:3:

“Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled."

 
Golden Anniversary

One of the most memorable years for Glengormley Methodist in these years of continuing growth must be 1985. Fifty years after the fledgling church opened its doors in Glencairn Drive the congregation came together to celebrate their Golden Anniversary. There was much to be celebrated with approximately 700 families attached to the church and a thriving Youth programme.

Celebrations commemorating 50 years of the Methodist Church in Glengormley were held over a weekend on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd November 1985. This was a time of praise and thanks to God for His faithfulness over the past 50 years. It was also an opportunity to show how far the church had developed within this period.

Four years after the Golden Anniversary the congregation of Glengormley once again had reason to celebrate. On 2nd September 1989 a new Church building designed to accommodate the 700+ congregation was officially opened and dedicated by the Rev. George R Morrison President of the Methodist Church in Ireland.

Since 1989 the church has continued to be a welcoming place for the young and not so young and provides a variety of organisations to accommodate all ages and interests. Alongside these traditional organisations, G. B., B. B., Sunday School, M.W.I, Bible Study Groups, many new organisations have come into being including J.A.M. (Jesus and Me), Edge (E.D.G.E.) and H.O.T. H.O.U.S.E.

All these organisations are specifically tailored for the young people of the church, whilst other relatively new organisations like the Craft Class and Ladies’ Ministry provide fellowship for the ladies of the congregation.

The church has been mightily blessed by successive Ministers whose commitment has ensured the smooth running of the church. Two of our former Ministers the Rev. Winston Graham and the Rev. I McIlhinney have both served a term as President in the Methodist Church in Ireland and share a little of their experiences whilst serving Ministers of Glengormley Methodist Church.

Rev Winston Graham

“As a family we recall our years at Glengormley Church in the 1980s with deep gratitude. I will always count it as a great privilege to have been Minister there for 8 years. As I reflected on those years various words come to mind:

GROWTH, YOUTH, MISSIONS, PRAYER, WORSHIP, PASTORAL CARE, FRIENDSHIP and FELLOWSHIP, BUILDING, REGULAR ( SIGNS of the HOLY SPIRIT) SEEKING. The congregation always had a goal – this was to serve Christ in the world and to be witnesses to His saving love”.

Rev. I McIlhinney

“In the summer of 1990 I took up the greatest challenge of my ministry – the pastorate of Glengormley. It was difficult, but very exciting as the Holy Spirit moved to make my poor efforts for God’s kingdom effective. These presented me with an opportunity to evangelise, preach the Gospel and share faith in Christ as Saviour on a larger scale than on most other Methodist stations. Not only could I do this with the regular Sunday congregations, but also Weddings and Funerals brought me into contact with hundreds of new people each year.

The new church Sanctuary was one year old when we arrived and within a year we had moved into a brand new manse.

One of the joys of ministering in Glengormley was the luxury of having two choirs - the Church choir and the Youth choir, both of which were truly inspirational. Other lovely memories come to mind as I recall very especially our Caribbean Candlelight Service held just before Christmas and the wonderful Christmas morning services when every seat in the church was occupied. Then there were the times when we were given the opportunity to broadcast our church service with the B.B.C. allowing us on one particular occasion through the World Service Network an opportunity of reaching around 30 million listeners!

A lasting impression that stays with me was the Presence of God which was so evident and mighty, as the church family praised the Lord together.”

The Vision Continues

Throughout the past 75 years each member of Glengormley Methodist Church is and has been an important ‘building block’ ensuring the life and vision for the church continues. Some of these most honourable ‘building blocks’ must be Mr William Cunningham, Mr Williamson, and Mr Webb all of whom played a part in establishing and sustaining the Sunday School. These dedicated workers have left the present day leaders a solid foundation on which to continue teaching the Gospel of truth into the minds of our young people.

In the intervening years from 1935 to the present much has changed, not only in the shape and size of the church building but also in how church continues to ‘run’ with the vision given to Rev. John Glass. Presently our church continues to be used every day of the week. Traditional organisations, prayer meetings, Council Meetings, Youth Groups, Senior Citizens, M.W.I., Bowls, Keep Fit, Craft Class, Mother and Toddlers are all well established and flourishing. In the past 10 years there have been many new ministries introduced to the church calendar, and like the more established organisations have found a niche within the church.

Now in the year 2010 it would be true to say that with over 680 families attached to the church, new ministries and an ongoing commitment from the church body-the vision continues. God continues to be faithful. As in the past God continues to raise men and women from within our fellowship inspiring them to move forward, filling their minds with wisdom and their hearts with passion, which through the Power and Guidance of the Holy Spirit will ensure Glengormley Methodist continues for many years to come, working in and evangelising the community of Newtownabbey.