From 1756 to today: New home for Buckna Presbyterian Church as £3m meeting house dedicated

Buckna's new meeting house (Image: Gary Millar)

More than 450 people gathered on Friday evening, 5 September, as the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s (PCI) newest church building, the meeting house of Buckna Presbyterian Church in County Antrim, was officially dedicated by PCI’s Moderator, Right Reverend Dr Trevor Gribben.

The new church stands in the heart of the Braid Valley, just four miles from Broughshane and with Slemish Mountain as its backdrop.

It replaces the congregation’s former meeting house, which had served since 1756 but had become too small for a growing membership of around 250 families.

A celebration of faith and perseverance

The 40-strong choir singing during the service

Speaking after the dedication service, Dr Gribben praised the congregation’s resilience and commitment.

“Tonight has been a very special and joyful time of fellowship, worship, and giving thanks to God for what He has done in this place, both down the centuries and in recent years,” he said.

Reflecting on the wider significance of the occasion, the Moderator added:

“No matter what the statistics look like, no matter what social media might say, no matter how many times the church might be ridiculed and ignored, we have hope and a future in Jesus Christ, and He will continue to build His Church.”

From plans to reality

A work in progress: 15th April 2025 (Image: Gary Millar)

June 2025. (image: Gary Millar)

The road to the new building began more than a decade ago, during the ministry of former minister Rev Mark Neilly. Plans were drawn up around the 2010s, with the congregation raising over £1 million for the project despite challenging economic conditions.

Architects were appointed in 2014, and a contractor was secured in March 2020—just as the Covid-19 pandemic halted progress.

Work eventually began in October 2022, when then Moderator Dr John Kirkpatrick cut the first sod.

Rev Stephen Kennedy (left) with the Moderator with the commemorative plaque

Rev Stephen Kennedy, who became minister in 2018, described the dedication as a milestone in a journey shaped by prayer, patience, and sacrificial giving.

“This evening has been a wonderful time as we gave thanks to God as the Moderator dedicated our new meeting house. We were delighted to see past ministers join us, and many others too, as we also gave thanks for the journey that we have come on as a church family to get to this point,” he said.

Meeting the needs of a growing congregation

Rev Kennedy explained that the new facilities are already transforming church life.

“We’re a growing congregation and very blessed to have a large number of young families connected to us. As a vibrant evangelical church community that has a heart to reach those who don’t know the Lord Jesus our new meeting house now better meets our needs for gospel mission and ministry in the surrounding area.”

Handover day! Keys received on 30 May 2025

The old meeting house with congestion members May 2025.

After the keys to the new building were officially handed over on 30 May 2025, the first service in the new building took place in June, when the congregation walked together from the old church to their new home.

Since then, activities such as youth fellowship, Girls’ and Boys’ Brigade meetings, and the Sunshine Club for seniors have benefited from improved facilities.

“We can now have tea and coffee each Sunday and not once a month, as we have better facilities now. It’s a small thing, but just makes things better. Preaching is also different as we are all on one level,” Rev Kennedy noted.

A legacy for generations

During the dedication, Dr Gribben emphasised that the new building was not just for the present congregation but for the wider community.

“Buckna has been richly blessed in a way that we all hope secures gospel work in this area for generations to come… God’s Grace is the same today as it was then, and I know that this new meeting house has not just been built for those who worship here now, but for those outside its walls who have yet to come in.”

Eva Kennedy cutting the ribbon alongside (left to right) David Hamilton of Martin and Hamilton, Dr Gribben, Wilnor Reid, Clerk of Session, Rev Stephen Kennedy and Paul Griffith of MV Architects

Before the service, the ribbon was cut by Rev Kennedy’s daughter Eva, alongside the Moderator, contractor David Hamilton of Martin and Hamilton, and architect Paul Griffith of MV Architects.

For Buckna Presbyterian Church, the dedication service marked both an ending and a beginning—a farewell to a historic building and a commitment to a new era of mission and ministry in the Braid Valley.

The journey: Buckna’s building project