At the end of the 19th century, there was no Ulsterville. In 1894, the Windsor Congregation commenced cottage meetings at 5 Great Northern Street (now number 155) with a view to planting a church in the area to cater for the expected population growth in a rapidly expanding city. From these insignificant beginnings, Ulsterville came into being and was erected as a congregation in 1902 - the fiftyfirst congregation in the Synod of Belfast. The first Communion Service on 11th May 1902 is taken as the commencement date. At this time, the young congregation was known as "Lower Windsor." In its first twenty-five years, Ulsterville did things in threes.
There was one minister during the first twenty-five years, Rev Thomas Rodgers.
When Ulsterville moved to its Lisburn Road site, urban development was in full swing and the congregation grew rapidly. Everything was booming and Ulsterville was a hive of activity - Boys' Brigade, Girls' Auxiliary, Girl Guides, Christian Endeavour, Women's Missionary Association (now Presbyterian Women's Association), Sunday Schools, Bible Classes and Youth Club. Indeed, at one time, the Ulsterville Sunday School was the largest in the General Assembly.
During this period, as with the Great War, many of Ulsterville's congregation offered themselves for service for king and country, and quite a number paid the supreme sacrifice with their lives.
Others offered themselves to serve the King of kings and went on to become leading figures in their missionary societies - worthy of note are David Mackey (WEC), Albert Robinson (NTMU), David Ross (UFM) and Cecil Young (ECM). Mission at home and mission abroad became the hallmarks of Ulsterville. Some became ministers of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and further afield. These were trends that were to continue.
Ministers during this period were: Revs S R Jamison and R W Gillespie.
Two Jubilees mark this period, the Golden in 1952 and the Diamond in 1962. Somewhere between these two Ulsterville reached its peak. The existing premises could no longer cater adequately for the thriving work of the large congregation and so two major building projects were undertaken: the extensive suite of buildings at Lorne Street, opened in 1962, and the Prospect Hall at Lisburn Road, opened in 1972.
The trends of Ulsterville's young men and women offering themselves as missionaries and ministers continued. Here mention is made of the following who were ordained to the ministry of the PCI: Jim Irvine (1950), Dennis Whitley (1961), Jim Harrison (1962) and Drew Moore (1972).
In the late sixties, the Troubles began and accelerated the population movement that had already become characteristic of the area. Responding to this challenge, three special missions were held during this period. Ministers during this period were: Revs R W Gillespie and G S McKeown.
The demographic changes that now characterised the whole of inner Belfast affected the congregation which became older and greyer and declined as its young adults moved out of the area.
This decline is reflected in the closure of the Ulsterville Primary School in 1982. Ferndale Hall closed in 1985, the Sunday School moved to during morning worship, the Girls' Brigade closed in 1998, the Lorne Street Halls were sold in 1999 to the Chinese Christian Church, and The Boys' Brigade, despite struggling with small numbers, succeeded in celebrating its 75th anniversary in style in 2000.
Amid all these changes, Ulsterville maintained its evangelistic thrust with special missions and plans are being made to continue this beyond the close of its Centenary year.
Looking back, Ulsterville has contributed significantly to the wider church in providing training for 27 Assistant Ministers in addition to its own candidates for the ministry.
Ministers during this period were, Revs G S McKeown and W I Hull.
The unfinished story of Ulsterville continues - the fields are still ripe for harvest. How the continuing story of Ulsterville unfolds in the future is for another day.