Diocesan News
Middle Church, Ballinderry, celebrates 350th anniversary
![The service of thanksgiving on the 350th anniversary of the consecration of Middle Church, Ballinderry. From left: Mr Jim Neill (Lay Reader); the Rev Canon Ernest Harris (preacher); the Rev Nicholas Dark, Rural Dean; the Rev Trevor Cleland, rector; Mr John Quigley (Lay Reader); Mr Denis Fullerton (Lay Reader) and the Very Rev Geoff Wilson (Dromore Cathedral).](assets/generated/news/page/f1d5268fe90f9ec148fdace5eb0910a8.jpg)
Ballinderry Parish, Diocese of Connor, marked the 350th anniversary of the consecration of the Middle Church on September 8 and 9, with the celebrations coinciding with European Heritage Open Days.
On Saturday September 8 crowds flocked to Ballinderry to travel back in time and to join in an historical tour organised as part of the celebrations. The tours ran during the day, and visited the three historical sites associated with Ballinderry, namely Portmore, the Middle Church and the Parish Church.
Each tour had a guide who explained the significance of the sites and gave a commentary throughout the tour.
Two hundred and fifty people went on the tours and more than 100 visited the Middle Church independently.
The tours ended at the Church Hall where refreshments were served and everyone had the opportunity to enjoy an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia showing parish life in years past.
The following day, Sunday September 9, 200 people attended a service of thanksgiving in the Middle Church. This was followed by afternoon tea in the Church Hall.
![A tour guide explains the history of Portmore graveyard.](cmsfiles/images/news/diocesan/connor/2018/Ballinderry-Middle-Church-Anniversary-02.jpg)
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Connor
07766 103880
Mrs Karen Bushby
dco@connordiocese.org