Church History

Larne congregational Church was founded in 1879 by Revd. James Orr. As yet, nothing is known about Revd Orr or any other founding members. The original church building was situated on the Clonlee / Barnhill area of Larne. For outsiders to our town, that's around the area where the Methodist church stands. The exact location of the church is not known. The building is described in old minute books as being 'iron' although some think it was possibly corrugated tin.

Around 1909 it was decided to rebuild the church as the old one was beginning to leak and in need of constant repairs. The Dowager Lady Smiley who came from a very prominent family in Larne offered the church a new site on the Curran road along with a large sum of money in return for the old site but this offer was turned down. It is not clear why the offer was turned down or why Lady Smiley was so interested in the old site, but eventually the offer was accepted and plans drawn up to build at 38-40 Curran Road where the church still stands.

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