St Donard
St. Donard, Bloomfield Road, Belfast
Directions to the church:
The Parish Church of St. Donard, “The Church on the Corner”, East Belfast, close to Samson and Goliath (Big Cranes), closer to Connswater shopping centre. The church on the corner of Bloomfield and Beersbridge Roads. Metro Bus routes 18 and 19.
Service times:
Sundays
9.30am : Early Morning Service
11.30am : Main Morning Service
7pm : Evening Service
Contact us:
Charlie McCartney (Rector)
028 9065 2321
dunroamin.mccartney@btopenworld.com
A bit about us:
Over 100 years ago as Belfast expanded the Church of Ireland bought small plots of land and planted churches. St. Donard’s began as a wriggly tin hut, known as the “Iron Church” and opened its doors 24 June 1900.The Church we have today was dedicated 1 June 1912, was paid for by the parishioners who purchased bricks for 3d or 6d one by one. The Church bears the scars of second world war bombs.
We like to be known locally as the “Church on the Corner.”
We believe that everything necessary for Eternal life is contained in the Bible. Our worship is traditional and lively. We encourage participation and are anxious to make everyone feel welcome.
We have a strong commitment to visit in hospital, residential care, house bound and those who find attending Church difficult.
All age midweek groups are popular.
Please come and join in. We have many ideas for our children but our priority is the Sunday School called the Jesus and Me Club. The J.A.M. Club is thriving and we pray that this will be the centre of our childrens ministry.
The Future:
St. Donard’s people have spent a huge amount of time and money to provide the community with great facilities. That work is complete and we can look to the future for all age groups.
Making Christians – Souls being saved.
We are working towards outreach in the community, new styles of worship at times that suit our young families.
Sustaining Christians – Bible Studies, house groups, midweek meetings, socials, Christian love and care.
We hope to welcome more young families to our church. For those seeking or wanting to find out more about Christianity we will be running various courses including Alpha groups.
St. Donard's Bells
The bells were dedicated on Saturday 26th November, 1949, which were cast and installed by Messrs, John Taylor & Company, of Loughborough, Leicestershire. The total weight of the six Bells comprising the peal is 32 cwts., 2 qrs. 11 lbs., the tenor bell weighing 9 cwts., 1 qr,. 2 lbs. The peal is in the key of A flat.
Five of the Bells bear the simple inscription – “1949, In Memoriam, Alexander Moore, Rector, 1906-46.” A bronze Plaque has been placed in the Church Porch and reads as follows:
“The peal of bells in the tower of this church was dedicated on 26th November, 1949, by the Rt. Rev. William Shaw Kerr. DD., Lord Bishop of Down and Dromore. As a memorial to the Rev. Canon Alexander Moore, BA., Hon. C.F., For forty years (1906-46) the beloved Rector of St. Donard’s Parish.”
The remaining bell of the peal (No. 5) is a re—casting of the old bell which was the Congregations’ Memorial to the men of the Parish who gave their lives in the Great War of 1914 -18. The identity of this bell as a war memorial has been preserved, the original inscription thereon having been repeated on the new bell.
Although the peal dedicated today comprise only six bells, the bell-frame has been constructed to accommodate a full peal of eight. It will therefore be possible, if so desired at some future date, to add two additional bells, thus completing the octave.