The Ulsterville Story - spanning 108 years

The founding years: 1902-1927

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.

• It had three addresses, Donnybrook Street in 1902, Lorne Street in 1903 and Lisburn Road since 1924.
• It erected three mission halls to bring the Gospel to the people, Adelaide Hall (1905), Ferndale Hall (1913) and Kilburn Street (1914).
• It managed three national schools, in Donnybrook Street and in Edinburgh Street, and many of the congregation were educated in them. Education went hand in hand with evangelism in the ministry of the congregation.

There was one minister during the first twenty-five years, Rev Thomas Rodgers.

Fruitful at home and abroad: 1928-1952

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.

The Jubilee years of maturity: 1952-1977.

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.

Reaching One hundred not out! 1977-2002

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.

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 GirlsâÄô Brigade closed in 1998, the Lorne Street Halls were sold in 1999 to the Chinese Christian Church, and The BoysâÄô Brigade, despite struggling with small numbers, succeeded in celebrating its 75th anniversary in style in 2000.

2002 marked the centenary of thecongregation and this was marked with a great flurry of activity amounting to some forty-seven events including:

• Special services with ex-Ulsterville guest speakers, choirs and united services with our neighbouring congregations.
• Other special events, outings and table quiz
• Centenary Prayer Walk visiting the venues sacred to Ulsterville memory.
• Special catering events undertaken by our ladies.
• Centenary Brochure, with thanks to the late Mr Cecil Carson.
• Souvenirs - Malone crystal vases (120), diaries and calendars.
• Souvenir audio and video tapes were produced, courtesy of Mr Thomas Wright.
• Missionary Project with a target of £5,200 - which was surpassed!
• Jubilee greeting card signed by the congregation and sent to HM The Queen.

The year proved to be a great time for commitment, working together as a team and opportunities for deepening fellowship across the congregation.

Ministers during this period were, Revs G S McKeown and W I Hull.

After the centenary . . .

The growing challenges of the 21st century continue to impact on Ulsterville and its neighbouring congregations. The management of decline - both numerical and financial - is now an increasing concern to both minister and elders. This is being tackled by

• strengthening the Kirk Session by the ordination of four new elders in 2004.
• increased joining together with our neighbouring congregations of Windsor Presbyterian, Belfast South Methodist and St Nicholas Parish, in united services of worship on last Sundays monthly,the summer months of July and August and the four week harvest season, and in united outreach using the Alpha Course. Through this sharing in worship and witness our friendship has been enriched and our ability to witness has been enhanced.
• strategic consultation with Presbytery through the Presbytery Consultation Process and the Strategy for Mission Committee leading to recommendations that are were agreed by both congregation and Presbytery during 2008.
• missional decision that Ulsterville congregation amalgamate with the neighbouring Windsor congregation to provide for long term pastoral care and for continuing a Christian witness to the Lisburn Road area. This decision involves the selling of the Ulsterville church and manse and setting up a Mission Fund to resource missional projects in the South Belfast Presbytery and in so doing continue on a wider scale Ulsterville's commitment to mission.
• drawing up a Countdown to a New Beginning series of special services and events to celebrate and thank God for all He has been pleased to do in Ulsterville's 108 years of worship and witness. These will conclude with services on Sunday 17th January 2010 to mark the retirement of Rev Ivan Hull and the 108th anniversary of the congregation. The following Sunday will be a Presbytery service of New Beginnings in Windsor Presbyterian Church.

The Countdown details will be published on this website in due course.

Amid all these changes, the congregation of Ulsterville has endeavoured to maintain its evangelical and reformed stance while being enriched through its engagement with the wider Christian Church.

Minister during this final period is: Rev W I Hull.