Church History
1926 - 2026
Celebrating 100 Years
Lisburn Baptist Church was formed in May 1926, under the leadership of Pastor J Shields, and first met in a rented hall in Wallace Avenue and later in the Good Templar Hall, Linenhall Street. It was decided to erect a church building and a site was acquired in Priests Lane (now called Tonagh Avenue) in 1928 and the church was opened for worship in April 1930. The present church in Longstone Street was opened in May 1977 and cost £175,328 to build. The original church building, which became the church hall, was demolished and a new suite of halls was built and completed in 2002. The church was renovated and re-opened for worship in November 2007; the work included a new roof and ceiling, new pulpit, refurbishment of pews, re-plastering and re-carpeting. 2026 marks the 100th year of Lisburn Baptist Church.
May 1926Founded
Lisburn Baptist Church was formed and held its first service in a rented hall in Wallace Avenue.
May 1927Baptist Union
Lisburn Baptist joined the Baptist Union of Ireland along with four other churches.
SEP 1928Building Started
A plot of land was acquired in Priest’s Lane (now called Tonagh Avenue) for a church building.
APR 1930Building Finished
The first services held in the newly built church building in Priest’s Lane.
JAN 1931Sunday School
A Sunday school commenced in the church.
MAY 1932Elders
The first elders were elected by the membership.
JUL 1932Missionary
Lisburn Baptist sent out its first missionary, Mr Stanley Reid to Peru with the Irish Baptist Foreign Mission.
OCT 1934First Pastor
Pastor A.E.G Priestly was inducted as the Church’s first pastor.
JAN 1941Prayer
Pre-service prayer meetings began to be held on Sunday mornings and continue today.
JUN 1943Second Pastor
Pastor Alfred Olley was inducted as the second pastor of the church, serving for only two months due to ill health.
MAY 1947Third Pastor
Pastor Joshua Thompson was inducted as pastor (he had already served on a temporary basis since June 1946).
Early 1947Deacons
The office of deacon was established in the church for the first time replacing a committee.
JAN 1951Fourth Pastor
Pastor George Blayney was inducted as pastor of the church before stepping down to serve as pastor of the Ballymena church just two years later.
SEP 1953Fifth Pastor
Pastor John McCrea was inducted as the fifth pastor of Lisburn Baptist Church.
JUN 1957Sixth Pastor
John Baxter was inducted as pastor of the church.
FEB 1972Seventh Pastor
Pastor Gordon Cardwell began his ministry as Pastor of the Church.
JUN 1975New Building
Work commenced on a new building for the Church to gather in.
MAY 1977Building Finished
The new building was opened costing a total of £175,328.64.
JUN 1975New Building
Work commenced on a new building for the Church to gather in.
DEC 1982Eighth Pastor
Pastor James McBratney was inducted as pastor of Lisburn Baptist Church.
SEP 1989Returning Pastor
Pastor Gordon Cardwell was inducted as pastor of the church for a second time.
JAN 2007Ninth Pastor
Pastor John Taylor was inducted as the ninth pastor of Lisburn Baptist Church.
NOV 2007Renovation
Significant renovation was carried out giving us the building we enjoy today.
JUN 2019Tenth Pastor
Pastor Daniel Ashby was inducted as the tenth and current pastor of Lisburn Baptist Church.
MAY 2026Centenary
Celebrating 100 years of Lisburn Baptist Church
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.”
Psalm 127:1
