The Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor

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Bishop opens new Gathered Centre in Coleraine

Friday April 10th 2026

At the opening of the Gathered Centre on Easter Monday are, from left: Alice McAlary, St Patrick’s, Coleraine; the Rev Brian Harper, Dunluce Parish; the Rev Canon Amanda Adams, Grouped Parishes of Ballyrashane and Kildollagh; Jonathan Diamond, Gathered Partnership Minister; the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison; and the Rev Patrick Barton, Grouped Parishes of Ballintoy & Dunseverick with Rathlin Island.

The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison, was in Coleraine on Easter Monday to open Gathered – A Partnership Ministry’s new Gathered Centre.

Gathered – A Partnership Ministry is a Pioneer Ministry project in partnership with The Grouped Parishes of Ballyrashane & Kildollagh; The Grouped Parishes of Ballintoy & Dunseverick with Rathlin Island; St Patrick’s Coleraine and St Andrew’s Ballysally; and Dunluce Parish, Bushmills.

This new centre will host the Coleraine programmes run by Gathered, which will include drop-ins, breakfast clubs and youth groups. Alongside this, the space will be a community hub for other local charities to use.

The Rev Canon Amanda Adams, rector of the Grouped Parishes of Ballyrashane and Kildollagh, said: “This centre has been made possible by the faith, generosity and hard work of a great many people.” 

The opening of the new Gathered Centre in Coleraine on Easter Monday.

Before turning the key to officially open the new centre on Easter Monday, Bishop George said:

“It has just been such a thrill to see how churches have caught this vision of coming together, to share resources and to work together to reach out to young people especially in this part of God’s Kingdom. 

“I am equally thrilled to see the things that have been happening as part of the Gathered project not least the appointment of Jonathan Diamond as a Partnership Minister to help lead the outreach and look for ways to reach young people. “

The Bishop continued: “It gives me great joy to arrive at this day and to see this important building, which is just part of the expression of what the Gathered Project is all about, ready to be opened and used for God’s work.” 

The Gathered Project is very grateful for the support and recognition of the Church of Ireland Pioneer Ministry Council, to Coleraine Parish for allowing Gathered to use the premises and for renovating the building, which was previously a shop, and for the Church of Ireland Priorities Fund which has enabled Gathered to equip the building and turn it into a welcoming, safe space, with multiple uses to enable the outreach to young people and those with little or no church connection.   

At the opening, the Gathered Partnership Team and Bishop George took the opportunity to also thank the generosity of the parishioners of all the partnership parishes who together have enabled Gathered to grow and bring its vision to life, but above all everyone involved with Gathered expressed thanks to God whose goodness made all things possible.

The Gathered Centre is a unique venture in Coleraine and even on the day, its location attracted the attention of passers-by who came into see and enjoy the fellowship.  Some returned in the evening to join in a table quiz which Jonathan had organised as part of a week events being held across the Partnership area designed to engage with young people and their families during the Easter Holidays. 

A wide variety of activities will be available at the Gathered Centre.

The Gathered Centre in Coleraine will be used for a range of activities including a weekday drop-in for school aged young people.  A similar provision is being established in Bushmills and Gathered is grateful to Dunluce Parish for the use of its Parish Centre and to the other Partner parishes for the use of their facilities. 

As Bishop George observed, parishes coming together to share resources and support one another has proved a great strength of the project.

On Maundy Thursday, Pioneer Minister Jonathan completed a walking pilgrimage of more than 22 miles, visiting and praying at each of the Partner Parish Churches with the exception of Rathlin! 

Along the way, he was accompanied for various parts of the route by various young people from Gathered and parishioners the partner parishes. 

Canon Adams said: “It was a wonderful achievement and on Maundy Thursday especially helped the Partnership Parishes to focus on the unity of Christ.”

The welcoming interior of the new Gathered Centre in Coleraine.

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