Greyabbey & Kircubbin
St Saviour, Greyabbey,
Holy Trinity, Kircubbin
Directions to the church:
St. Saviour’s is situated on the Ballywalter Road on the outskirts of Grey Abbey.
Holy Trinity is at the Portaferry end of Kircubbin High Street, set back from the road behind iron railings.
Service times:
Sundays
10am: Main Morning Service (St. Saviour)
Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday
11.30am: Main Morning Service (Holy Trinity)
Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday
Contact us:
Vacant
A bit about us:
St. Saviour’s Church Grey Abbey was built in 1869, by the Montgomery family, who also built the smaller original church of 1770 on the same site, overlooking the ruins of the 12trh Century Cisterian Abbey. Prior to the church of 1770, the Anglican Parish worshipped in the Nave of the old Abbey until the roof deteriorated so badly that the Nave could no longer be used.Holy Trinity Church was built in 1843 in the style of a Greek temple. The architect was Charles Lanyon. The parish was united with Greyabbey in 1975.
The average congregation numbers 45 on a Sunday morning, with the numbers rising for the monthly family service. The worship of the church is conducted using the contemporary language series of the BCP.
The congregation share a weekly Bible Study, and a Wednesday morning, with Holy Trinity Kircubbin, and also an evening Prayer and Study Group at Holy Trinity.
The parish is looking to build a new hall close to the church.
Holy Trinity is a small but vibrant church community, with an active Sunday School which meets in the Church room below the worship area. Together with St. Saviours Grey Abbey the church runs a Prayer and Study Group, a Bible Study and a small but enthusiastic choir.
The services are currently contemporary language Prayer Book services, together with a monthly family service (“Service of the Word”).
The Future:
St. Saviours is looking to develop its links with the community, thinking of youth work, but the church’s unique role lies in potential Christian outreach to the many visitors to the old Abbey ruins. The church is considering building a hall/“education centre” for offering education facilities to schoolchildren about the life and work of the monastery form a Christian point of view (e.g. an art session on calligraphy, but explaining what motivated monks to illuminate manuscripts).
Holy Trinity is looking to develop its links with the wider community, seeing how it might use its building during the week for community activities “in the name of Christ”. One example might be hospitality – offering meals to shoppers and to the elderly, or a chance to meet while distributing tea/coffee. Being on Kircubbin High Street, Holy Trinity has a unique opportunity to bring together members of the different Christian communities.