St Jude’s, Muckamore, celebrates 185 years of faithfulness

Friday October 23rd 2026

185th Anniversary Service in St Jude’s Parish Church, Muckamore.

By Rev Derek Harrington, rector

Prayer, fellowship and thanksgiving marked a special anniversary weekend for St Jude’s Parish Church, Muckamore, as the congregation celebrated 185 years of worship and witness on the site. VIEW OUR PHOTO GALLERY BELOW

The congregation of St Jude’s

gave thanks to God for 185 years of faithfulness with a special weekend of celebrations on September 26 and 27.

The celebrations formed the culmination of a month of prayer, reflection and thanksgiving, as the parish looked back with gratitude on its history and forward with confidence to the years ahead.

The weekend began with a Big Breakfast in St Jude’s Parish Hall on the Saturday morning, welcoming people from the local community between 9am and 12 noon. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for people to enjoy a hearty breakfast, catch up with friends and neighbours, and celebrate the place St Jude’s continues to hold at the heart of the community. The event was also a great fundraising success, raising more than £400 for parish funds.

The parish was delighted by the support received, with generous donations from Yew Tree Butchery & Deli, Lynas Food Outlet and Tesco Antrim helping to make the event possible.

Jacqui, from the District Library Team, also attended to share information about the valuable work and services provided by local libraries to support communities across the area.

The parish extends its sincere thanks to everyone who attended, donated and volunteered to make the morning such an enjoyable and successful occasion.

CELEBRATION SERVICE

On Sunday September 27, the congregation gathered in St Jude’s for a special 185th Anniversary Celebration Service, giving thanks for the generations who have worshipped, prayed and served on the site since the church was built in 1841.

Previous clergy were invited to participate in the service, recognising the many people who have ministered among the congregation throughout its history. The guest preacher was the Rt Rev Darren McCartney, rector of St Paul’s, Lisburn, and a former parishioner of St Jude’s.

Drawing upon the long Christian heritage of Muckamore, including the area’s early monastic history and the Oldstone Revival of 1625, Bishop Darren reminded the congregation that the worship of Almighty God in this locality stretches back centuries before the present church was built.

The traditional interpretation of Muckamore as meaning ‘the great field of adoration’ provided a fitting backdrop to this reflection, connecting the area’s heritage with the continuing call to worship and serve God today.

MESSAGE

His message placed the church’s 185-year history within this much longer story of faith, prayer and witness. It also encouraged the congregation to look beyond the anniversary itself, giving thanks for God’s faithfulness through the generations while trusting Him to lead His people in the years ahead.

Throughout September, the church’s anniversary celebrations had been accompanied by a special initiative to encourage prayer for the parish and its surrounding communities. A newly-established Prayer Space in St Jude’s Parish Hall provided a dedicated place for people to come aside, spend time with God and pray for Muckamore, Killead and beyond.

The aim was to offer 185 hours of prayer during the month, marking the 185 years of prayer and worship associated with St Jude’s. With the encouragement of the congregation and wider community, the commitment extended beyond that initial target, creating an opportunity to bring before God both the needs of the present and the hopes of the future.

As the anniversary approached, the congregation was also invited to share photographs, memorabilia and personal memories of St Jude’s, helping to preserve and celebrate the stories of those who have been part of its life over the generations.

FAITHFULNESS

A recurring theme throughout the celebrations was the faithfulness of God. In the weeks leading up to the anniversary service, the congregation had been learning the worship song He Will Be, with its powerful reminder that the God who has been faithful in the past can be trusted for the future.

Its words captured the heart of the occasion –‘Faithful He has been, faithful He will be.’ They expressed not simply gratitude for 185 years of history, but a renewed confidence in God’s grace and purposes for the years to come.

The anniversary weekend was a joyful opportunity to celebrate the people, prayers and memories that have shaped St Jude’s, while recognising that the church’s story is not simply one of looking backwards. Rather, it is an invitation to continue worshipping God, serving the community and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with future generations.

As St Jude’s looks towards the next 185 years, the congregation does so with thankful hearts, trusting that the Lord who has sustained the church through its history will continue to guide and bless its witness in Muckamore, Killead and beyond.

To God be the glory for the great things He has done – and for all that He will yet do.