18——TIMES, February 10, 2009 www.ballymenatimes.com www.antrimtimes.co.uk

‘Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise’THOSE familiar words from

Psalm 48 echoed around thenewly-rebuilt Reformed

Presbyterian Church inCullybackey last Friday evening asworshippers gathered there toofficially open their new premises.The congregation’s Minister, Rev. PhilipMoffett, led a very special service of celebra-tion, thanksgiving and worship.As Moderator of Synod of the ReformedPresbyterian Church in Ireland, it fell to Rev.David Fallows to ‘perform’ the official open-ing ceremony.Other friends, local ministers and represen-tatives from other sessions of the NorthernPresbytery of the Reformed PresbyterianChurch joined regular members of the MainStreet fellowship on this happy occasion.

In total, their new facilities, which amountto a complete rebuild, have cost around£1,200,000.Rev. Philip Moffett explained why the proj-ect came into being, saying: “In 2002 theSession drew up a set of aims and objec-tives for Cullybackey ReformedPresbyterian Church. The aim of the con-gregation is to grow as a living, vibrant Godhonouring Reformed Presbyterian Church,which will continue to bear witness tofuture generations.”“One of the objectives to reach this aim wasto provide accessible buildings thatdemonstrate our vision of a vibrant Godhonouring church.”He went on: “The original church buildingwas erected in 1789 and was eventualdemolished in 2007. The building nolonger provided a sufficient level of com-fort, functionality or accessibility for ourcongregation.Therefore, the session and congregationdecided that it was time to build a com-plete suite of integrated buildings on thecurrent site”, Rev. Moffett added.Work began in June 2007 with the demol-

ishing of the old buildings, andthe new structure was complet-ed in December 2008.Quite simply, the planners,architects and builders havedelivered something very spe-cial as Rev. Moffett revealed:“We now have one integratedbuilding on the original site.This suite of buildings includesa worship area, sports hall, twokitchens, two minor halls, sever-al classrooms and toilets. It hasbeen built at street level, withthe classrooms, minor hall,small kitchen and toilets under-neath.”“The new building will enableus to provide a suitable facilityso that future generations inCullybackey can worship ourGreat God. As a community ofbelievers we desire to serve Godday by day, and our desire isthat Jesus Christ should be rec-ognized and honoured as theKing of our lives, our homes, ourchurches and our nation”, headded.Certainly, the Lord Jesus washonoured during a thankful butreverent service of worshipwhere He was praised using thewords of Psalms 122, 48, 116and 84.Rev. Fallows also preached achallenging and inspiringaddress on John chapter 3.At the reception afterwards Dr

David McKelvey, an elder in thecongregation, gave a word ofthanks to those who con-tributed so much to thebuilding; the architects,

builders, fitters etc.As what was a truly memorablenight, Rev. Moffett expressedappreciation to everyone whohad helped bring the new buildto fruition.He stated: “As a congregationwe wish to thank all of thosewho were involved in the build-ing project. In many ways it wasa difficult site to build on, butwe are very thankful for thesafety that God provided for thebuilders and contractors. Thephysical building work has beencarried out to the highest stan-dard and dedication. We trustthat the spiritual building workwill also continue to the samelevel of commitment.”Rev. Moffett concluded: “Wewould also like to thank thecommunity and those who gaveanonymously to the buildingwork. There has been muchinterest within the communityas the old building came down,and then a new building wasbuilt up. Finally, thank you toour brothers and sisters inChrist from the Faith Missionhall and from the Methodistchurch in Cullybackey in allow-ing us to worship in theirbuildings during our time of“exile!” Also we want to thankthe council for allowing us toworship in Ahoghill CommnityCentre.”“Unless the LORD builds thehouse, those who build it labourin vain.” Psalm 127.1

Good reason to celebrate ...

E. KEARNEY & SONB U I L D I N G C O N T R A C T O R S21, CRAWFORDSTOWN ROAD, PORTGLENONE BT44 8EN.

Tel: 028 2582 2243Fax: 028 2582 2112

We are pleased to have been theMain Contractor for the new

Cullybackey Reformed Presbyterian Churchbuilding and extend best wishes

for the future.

Market Studio are pleased tohave been entrusted withproviding the architecturalservices for Cullybackey R.P.Church Complex and extend ourbest wishes for the future.

market studioArchitecture & Planning14 Market Road,Ballymena, BT43 6ELtel: (028) 2565 2500www.marketstudio.co.uk

Principal: Trevor W. Fleming MCIAT

CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURALTECHNOLOGISTS

Visit our websitewww.ballymenatimes.com

XTRA! News on-line

We're now with you...24 HOURS

A DAY7 DAYS A WEEKFirst with the latest!

On sale every Tuesday MORNING

Best wishes to Cullybackey ReformedPresbyterian Church

Cullybackey ReformedPresbyterian Church

OFFICIALOPENING

TIMES, February 10, 2009——19www.ballymenatimes.com www.antrimtimes.co.uk

Architect Trevor Fleming (Market Studios) and builder Eugene Kearney (E. Kearney & Son) withMaurice Knowles and Rev. Philip Moffett at the official opening of Cullybackey ReformedPresbyterian Church. BT6-219AC

John Donnolly, Richard McKelvey, PaulWright and Andrew McKelvey pictured atthe opening of Cullybackey ReformedPresbyterian Church. BT6-220AC

Left: Rev. Philip Moffatt of CullybackeyReformed Presbyterian Church withguest speaker Rev. David Fallows(Kilraughts Reformed PresbyterianChurch) at the official opening of thechurch. BT6-217AC

Cullybackey Reformed Presbyterian Church elders MauriceKnowles, Ivor McMullan, Phililip Moffett, Daniel Wright, IanMcCluggage, David McKelvey and John Turner along withguest Rev. David Fallows at the official opening of the newchurch. BT6-218AC

Pictures byAlan McMullan

“The new building will enable us to provide asuitable facility so that future generations inCullybackey can worship our Great God” -

RReevv.. PPhhiilliipp MMooffffeetttt

‘A vibrant God honouring church’

• OWN TEAM OF SERVICE ENGINEERS• IN HOUSE TAILOR MADE S/STEEL FABRICATION• QUALITY PRODUCTS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

SERVING THE CATERING WORLD

• TOTAL FOOD SERVICE SOLUTIONS• FREE PLANNING & DESIGN ON C.A.D• PROFESSIONAL SALES TEAM

CATERINGEQUIPMENT

Do we feature in your success story?

TEL: 028 2586 1711 FAX: 028 2586 2006www.stephens-catering.comE-mail : sales@ stephens-catering.com205 Carnalbanagh Road, Broughshane, Ballymena BT42 4NY

We are pleased to have been associated with the newbuilding at Cullybackey Reformed Presbyterian Church

We are pleased to have installed the Kitchen

at Cullybackey Reformed Presbyterian

Church and extend Best Wishes

JAMES McCLOY JOINERYDesigners and Manufacturers of Quality Fitted

Kitchens and Bedroom Furniture

Unit 7, WoodhillCommercial Park,

140 Ballymena Road, Cullybackey,Co. Antrim, BT43 5QSTel: (028) 2588 1499

Mobile: 07709 418238

Adams Ceiling Co.

Ballymena 028 2763 8442Mobile: 07831 176533

● Suspended Ceilings ● Insulations● Partitions ● Lighting

Extending Best Wishes to Cullybackey R.P. Church

We are pleased to havebeen associated with the

Cuningham Memorial ChurchExtension and wish them

every future blessing

We are pleased to have beenassociated with the CullybackeyReformed Presbyterian ChurchBuilding Project and wish them

every future blessing.

Cullybackey Reformed Presbyterian Church

OFFICIAL OPENING