Holywood
St. Philip & St. James, Church Road, Holywood
Directions to the church:
Holywood is on the southern shore of Belfast Lough, five miles from the city centre. From the crossroads in the centre of Holywood (by the Maypole) travel a quarter of a mile in the direction away from the Lough up Church Road. Holywood Parish Church is on the right set in its own garden and lawns.
Service times:
Sundays
8am: Early Morning Service
Holy Communion: Weekly
9.45am: Morning Service
Family Service: Weekly
Holy Communion: 1st Sunday
11.30am: Morning Service
Holy Communion: 1st Sunday
5.30pm: Evening Service
Evening Prayer: Weekly
Holy Communion: 4th Sunday
7pm: Evening Service
"Worship etc": Weekly
Mid-Week
7pm: Thursday
Word & Worship: Weekly
10.30am: Wednesday
Holy Communion: Weekly
Contact us:
The Revd Roger Elks (Vicar)
(028) 9042 2069
Parish Office:
(028) 9042 3622
A bit about us:
The present church was dedicated to St Philip and St James and was completed in 1865 as the area of Holywood expanded. Anglican worship in Holywood dates from much earlier at the now redundant Priory Church close by. 25 years after consecration, the church was further enlarged by addition of a modern nave, chancel arch and north aisle. The church has a peal of 8 bells and much stained glass of interest. Holywood Parish church is a large building seating 500 set in an attractive garden along with the Parish Centre, which was formerly a school.We offer a variety of styles of worship and activities with a consistent emphasis on caring for everyone. We have a lively ministry to the elderly, a large youth work, a busy Sunday school and seven different services throughout the week to suit most tastes. There are various small groups through which to meet with others ranging from Bible study to bowling. We run two Alpha courses each year to provide an introduction to the Christian faith.
The Future:
Over the next five years we wish to grow from 400 Sunday worshippers to 600. To achieve this we have established a broad and varied structure with several opportunities for belonging. We now aim to encourage those with leadership gifts to involve many more in the life and ministry of the church. We want to be a strong church that, by our words, generosity and lifestyle, proclaims that the Kingdom of God is near to our friends, our families and to the community of Holywood.
Organisations in the parish:
Afternoon Group Fellowship - worship and talks on the third Wednesday of every month
Bell Ringers
Indoor bowls @ 7:30pm on Monday evenings in autumn and winter
Choir
Coffee Plus - Friday Morning fellowship and teaching for women of all ages
Craft Classes Embroidery - crochet and knitting on Wednesday afternoons
Dinner Groups - Thursday afternoon bible study and fellowship for secondary age
Fellowship Groups - Bible study and fellowship with friends fortnightly
Holywood Underground - Showing God's free love and grace with no strings attached
Keep Fit - Wednesday morning ladies' 'work outs'
Men's Society - Monthly meetings,
Midweek Teaching - Fortnightly discussion and teaching
Mothers' Union
Prayer Meetings - Weekly meetings to pray for the church
Pre-School Praise Songs - prayers and learning about Jesus
Saturday Prayer Breakfast - A weekly time of prayer, fellowship and food.
Uniformed Organisations - Scouts for ages 4 - 18
Wednesday Lunches - Weekly lunches for older members of the community
Worship Bands - Musicians who lead at our contemporary services