The Ballyclare Baptist Church was formed on Tuesday 17 March 1953 in the home of Mr and Mrs Wm Wilson, 15 Green Road, Ballyclare. Pastor J Johnston, Vice President of the Baptist Union, who gave the right hand of fellowship and Pastor J Thompson, Union Secretary, shared the formation service.

"The opening of the Ballyclare Baptist Church – “The Bethel” – took place on Saturday 28 March, when over 150 people were present. As the weather was favourable, a short ceremony was held outside and Pastor J Johnston (Banbridge), Vice-President of the Baptist Union of Ireland, was in charge.  The service commenced with the singing of the 23rd Psalm, after which prayer was offered by Pastor R Clarke (Monkstown). After reading Psalm 84 Pastor Johnston said how very pleased he was to be present, and commented on the increase of Baptist witness in Ireland, “The Bethel” being the fourth new church to be opened during the past twelve months.  The Vice-President then called on Mrs M Wilson The Square Ballyclare to open the door and all present entered the building.

“Come thou Almighty King” was the opening hymn for the service inside, followed with prayer by Pastor A Clarke (Carrick). Then Pastor Lyttle (Glengormley) read the Scripture portion taken from Genesis 28:10-22. The Chairman Pastor G H Weir (Bangor), in his remarks, welcomed all present and said it was a great joy for him to preside at the meeting and wished the new cause God’s richest blessing. A duet by Mr and Mrs Bunting (Shankill) followed and then a message from Mr C Davis President of the Baptist Union was read.

Messrs William Graham and T Welsh Dunn, members of the new Church spoke and traced the history of the project by recounting how the building was purchased some two years ago at the cost of £500.  After some renovations, also installation of electric lighting and heating the total outlay would be around £1,300 for a building that would accommodate 200 people comfortably.  Amongst those thanked for help were  - The Baptist Union; Mr Harrison, Belfast, for gift of an organ; Mr McM. Brown, for oak reading desk; Mr N Hutchinson, for overseeing repairs etc, of building; the Churches that had sent gifts. Also those who had promised same in response to the appeal.  Mr J H Corbett was specially thanked for all his help and for his generous gift, which was used to buy soft furnishings and fittings for the platform.

The Dedicatory Prayer was made by Pastor D Burrows, Glengormley.
Pastor J Thompson, Secretary, brought greetings from the Baptist Union. The hymn “ O Praise ye the Lord with heart and with voice”, was sung. and then Pastor Wm. Wilson (Grove), the special speaker , addressed the gathering. He said it was a great joy to him as a former resident in the town, to witness the opening of this Baptist Church. Pastor Wilson took as his text Genesis 28:19 “And Jacob called the name of that place Bethel” – “House of God”.  He went on to speak of men in the Bible who had met with God in various places, such as Joseph in prison; Elijah at the brook Cherith;  Daniel in the den of lions, and John on the Isle of Patmos.  Such places were “Bethels” to these men.  The speaker said he hoped the Church would prove a real “Bethel” to all who met there.
Mr and Mrs Bunting again sang and Pastor Minnis Mills (Orangefield) closed the meeting with prayer.

About 120 people were entertained to tea during the interval.
The evening service took the form of a Conference meeting.  It was opened by singing the hymn “Oh God of Bethel by whose hand”, and prayer offered by Pastor McNabb (Mountpotinger). The Chairman, Pastor Burrows (Glengormley) said the new Church was opened to meet the needs of those in the town and district who believed in Baptist principles, and who desired to remember their Lord in His own appointed way, and also to bring the Gospel to those yet without Christ.  He refuted the argument that we meet in the name of Baptists, saying that we meet in the name of the Lord. 
Pastor H H. Orr (Belfast) gave an address on “rebuilding the Temple”.  He dealt with the subject under four headings; (1) The enterprise explained, (2) enemies encountered, (3) encouragement extended, and (4) the ending effected.  He explained what was involved in the task and the enemies encountered were – External (world), Internal (flesh), and Infernal (devil), but there were those who encouraged, and after long delay (20 years) the temple was rebuilt.  Pastor Orr ended by saying hr understood that “The Bethel” was at one time a place where the Gospel was preached and he hoped “that the glory of the latter house would be greater than the former”.

Pastor Wm Mullan (Bloomfield) spoke on “Ye shall be witnesses unto Me”: (1) In their proclamations of Him, (2) by their unification , (3) in obedience, (4) by their remembrance of Him (at the Lord’s Table), (5) by prayer, fear, praises and reverence, (6) by their dedication, (7) by their determination, and lastly by their devotion to Him.  He charged the members of the new Church to see that their witness to Christ was faithful, and if so it would be blessed and owned of the Lord.

The Misses E. and M. McCaughrain (Monkstown) were the duettists at this meeting, and Miss McWhirter presided at the organ.

Sunday 29 March 1953 saw the commencement of services in the newly renovated hall and including the preacher there were thirteen persons present.  The preacher who ministered for the next three months was Mr S. Currie Brennan.  The text was Phil 4 v5b “The Lord is at hand.

Mr T Welsh Dunn (a founding member) notes that on this first Sunday Mr Brennan brought the pulpit desk beside the organ and spoke to the assembly from the floor area.  Speakers continued to speak from there until the Sunday that Pastor Burrows arrived when he insisted that the pulpit would be the place for the preaching of God’s Word. From that date onwards all preachers spoke from the pulpit.

More to follow...