• Lisburn Churches

St Columba’s Derryvolgie

Rev. Donna M. Quigley Rector	Jack Hassard Diocese Reader	Dorothy Jackson Parish Reader

St Columba’s, Parish Church

Belsize Road, Lisburn.

Rector: Rev. Donna M. Quigley

Telephone: 9260 7370

Diocese Reader: Jack Hassard

Parish Reader: Dorothy Jackson

Sunday services:

1st Sunday: 10:30am Holy Communion

6.30am Evening Prayer

2nd Sunday: 9.00am Holy Communion

10:30am Morning Prayer

3rd Sunday: 10:30am Family service

6.30am Holy Communion

4th Sunday: 9.00am Holy Communion

10:30am Morning Prayer

5th Sunday: 10:30am Morning Prayer

Web site: www.connor.anglican.org

The Derryvolgie Singers. L to R: Jim Hamilton, Liz Spence, Thelma Campbell, Karen McIvor, Emma-Louise Spence, Lindsay Hamilton and Graham Murphy (seated at keyboard).

Derryvolgie Parish Church.

HISTORY

St Columba’s parish was created in 1963 from the adjoining parishes of Lisburn Cathedral, Lambeg and Derriaghy. The first Rector was the Rev. (now Canon) Bertram Livingston, previously rector in charge of five churches in Co. Monaghan. When he came to Lisburn, there was neither a church, nor land available for it. His home was used for Sunday School and a Bible Class and in January 1964, Sunday services and Sunday School commenced in a vacant shop on the Moss Road. In May of that year, a hut was built by parishioners to be used until a church could be built to cater for the needs of people moving into the area of Derriaghy, Lambeg and Lisburn.

Plans were prepared, and work commenced on the new church/hall in October 1965. The foundation stone was laid on 11th December 1965 by Sir Ivan Ewart. The new building was dedicated by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt. Rev. R. C. H. Elliott, on 10th September 1966. Also taking part were the Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev. C. I. Peacocke, and the Archdeacon of Connor, the Ven. John Mercer. The sermon was preached by the Ven. W. L. M. Giff, Archdeacon of Meath. The cost of the new building with furnishings was £23,500. The parishioners contributed £6,500, and the Connor Church Extension Fund gave £7,000. A loan of £10,000 was obtained from the R.C.B. The pulpit and prayer desk came from a church in Eire, which had been closed, and a number of gifts were presented by parishioners.

St. Columba’s achieved full parish status in January 1978. In 1979 Canon Livingston was succeeded by the late Canon Noel Wilkinson, who continued the work of expansion of the parish and its activities into the wider community. Canon Wilkinson was well respected as a talented musician, particularly in church circles. During his Incumbency, parishioner Jack Hassard was commissioned Diocesan Reader on 20th November 1980. On Canon Wilkinson’s retirement, Rev. Chris Pollock was appointed Rector on 15th October 1993. The present Rector, Rev. Donna Quigley, was instituted here on All Saints Day, 1st November 2004. Dorothy Jackson was commissioned Parish Reader on Sunday 4th June 2006.

Brief history as recorded in a book ‘Lisburn’s Rich Church Heritage’ by John Kelly

St Columba’s parish was created in 1963 from the adjoining parishes of Lisburn Cathedral, Lambeg and Derriaghy. The first rector was the Rev Bertram Livingston and as there was neither a church nor land available for it, his home was used for a Sunday School and Bible Class. In January 1964, Sunday services and Sunday School commenced in a vacant shop on the Moss Road and in May of that year, a temporary building was erected. The foundation stone of the present church was laid in December 1965 and the church was dedicated in September 1966. The cost of the new church with furnishings was £23,500.

St Columba’s achieved full parish status in January 1978. In 1979 Canon Livingston was succeeded by Canon Noel Wilkinson, who continued the work of expansion of the parish and its activities into the wider community. During his incumbency, Jack Hassard was commissioned Diocesan Reader in November 1980. On Canon Wilkinson’s retirement, the Rev Chris Pollock was appointed Rector in October 1993. The present rector, the Rev Donna Quigley, was instituted here in November 2004. Dorothy Jackson was commissioned Parish Reader in June 2006.