About Us

Killinchy Presbyterian is a traditional country church with a rich history of Christian worship and witness dating back to 1630. The original Meeting House, erected in 1670, was replaced on a number of occasions before the present Church was built in 1739. One of the few cruciform churches to be found in Ireland, it has been ironically remarked:

"The flock are set to look at one another through the service in order to correct by mutual contemplation any excessive tendency to wrapt and collected devotion".

In 1978 a new Church Hall, car park and playing fields were built, on the opposite side of the road, to complement the Anderson Memorial Hall (built 1898). The Moore Graveyard sits at the top of the car park

The Congregation comprises some 580 families of warm, friendly and practical Christian people many with historically long-established family connections. Attendance at Sunday Worship has remained constant in recent years and, while the average age of the congregation has increased, we are encouraged by the interest among our young people. The Sunday Youth Group, for those aged 11 to 18 years, now has a membership of over 50, with some 35-40 attending worship regularly each Sunday. There are strong, vibrant and successful youth and senior organisations with dedicated and committed leadership. An active Social and Events Committee ensures a wide and varied programme of social interaction amongst the congregation and wider community.

Nearly 400 years ago the first Presbyterian Minister of Killinchy, Rev. John Livingstone M.A. pointed the upward way with these words,

"Let God be your only rule, Christ your only hope, the Holy Spirit your only guide, the Glory of God your only end".

Towards that high ideal we still endeavour to move.