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St Patrick’s hosts Service of Thanksgiving marking Ballymena’s 400th anniversary

Thursday September 3rd 2026

Clergy, councillors and other special guests at the Ballymena 400th anniversary service in St Patrick’s Parish Church.

This year marks the 400^th anniversary of the town of Ballymena. It was on August 25 that Charles I granted the Charter for the Ballymena Estate to William Adair in 1626.

To mark this significant anniversary, Mid and East Antrim organised a Civic Thanksgiving Service which was held in St Partick’s Parish Church on the exact anniversary – August 25.

Almost 500 people packed into the church for this special service, conducted by the rector of Ballymena, the Rev Rosie Diffin, along with the Rev Dr Jim Francis MBE.

Clergy from other denominations also participated and the guest preacher was the Most Rev John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, who set the 400^th anniversary in the context of the town’s history and development over the last four centuries.

Archbishop John McDowell was guest preacher at the service.

The Choir of St Patrick’s, joined by other local choir members and under the direction of Parish Organist and Choirmaster, Mr Adrian Poston, provided musical accompaniment for the service. The Seven Towers Male Voice Choir also contributed a number of pieces.

Hymns included Praise my soul the King of Heaven and Great is Thy Faithfulness.  The Choir sang a lovely rendition of the Urbs Fortitudinis – very appropriate for the ‘City of the Seven Towers.’

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, was in attendance along with several Deputy Lieutenants and former High Sheriffs.

The Mayor, Alderman Thomas Gordon, led the Council representatives including elected members. He was accompanied by the Lady Mayoress and the interim Chief Executive. The Member of Parliament, Mr Jim Allister MP and local MLAs Mr Paul Frew and Mr Jon Burrows were also present. Several former Mayors as well as the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens,  Councillor Dawn Huggins, joined Council representatives for this significant anniversary event.

Representatives from a wide range of local organisations and community groups were present for an uplifting act of worship which provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the historic occasion.

Service of Thanksgiving marking the 400th anniversary of Ballymena town, held in St Patrick’s.

There was a retiring collection in support of the Mayor’s chosen charities – NI Air Ambulance and Rural Support. By a remarkable coincidence the exact amount raised was £1,626!

After the service, those not moving on to the Ballymena 400 Fireworks Display at the People’s Park were treated to refreshments in the Chancellor Craig Memorial Hall, compliments of the Council.

Everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate Ballymena’s 400^th anniversary in a building which provides one of the three remaining seven towers in the town.

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