Revivalist article on the opening of a church hall in Newtownards in 1977

Another page in the history of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster was written when a new church hall was opened at Beverley Park, Bangor Road, Newtownards. The opening address was delivered by the Moderator, Dr. Ian R. K. Paisley.

Senior Minister, the Rev. Fred Greenfield, officiated at the service which began with an opening hymn and then prayer led by the Rev. Stanley Barnes of Hillsborough.

Mr. Greenfield then welcomed everyone and introduced May Gibson who sang two messages in song. The Scripture reading was by the Rev. David McIlveen of Sandown Free Presbyterian Church

Mr. Trevor Baxter, Student Minister of the Church referred to the previous six years when the Church had had to meet in the Orange Hall in Mary Street. He expressed his gratitude towards the Committee of the Hall for allowing the Free Presbyterians to use it for that time. He went on to say, "We own a considerable piece of this property, it was originally purchased for £5,000, we are told that this land is now valued somewhere in the region of £40,000."

Thanks were extended to Mr. Eddie Burns who made it possible for the land to be purchased at such a low price.

Comment was then made on various donations from other Free Presbyterian Churches which amounted to £700-£800 already this month which was some way towards reaching the £2,000 mark.

The Moderator began his address by saying, "I would like to say first of all how delighted I am to be here this afternoon to take this opportunity of delivering God's Word to you."

Referring to the new Hall the Rev. Paisley said that it was always a thrill personally to see the progress of God's work. He also expressed trust that one day they would erect a building on the site in keeping with the houses around it.

The Moderator based his sermon on Isaiah 59:19, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against them."

Talking about the "infiltration" of the "enemy" he said that the Spirit is against something. "I want to tell you today, I am against the Prime Minister's visit to the Pope."

In I John 2:16 was listed what the Moderator said were the three Avenues of Evil, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

Dr. Paisley was critical in his address of other Churches including the Methodists and the Church of Ireland, a Dean of which he criticised for attending a Gaelic Football match in Dublin on Sunday. He pronounced his opposition to the World Council of Churches which he claimed existed only because the Churches were not doing so well.

The Moderator then went on to allege that the planning office had tried to keep a Free Presbyterian Hall from being erected in Hillsborough and now this one in Newtownards.

Nearing the end of his address Dr. Paisley said, "I want to say something very strong. Abraham the friend of God lied, David the man after God's own heart committed adultery and murder, Lot of righteous soul corrupted his family in Sodom, Peter the apostle blasphemed. A backslidden Christian can do anything but go to hell. He that standeth take heed lest he fall."

After the termination of the Moderator's sermon it was announced that the collection that afternoon had amounted to over £600. The closing Prayer was then said by Rev. Greenfield.

Following the service, tea was served by the ladies of the Newtownards congregation.