Appointment of new Archdeacon of Dalriada

Monday November 2nd 2026

The Rev Dennis Christie has been appointed Archdeacon of Dalriada.

The Rev Dennis Christie, rector of Ahoghill and Portglenone, has been appointed Archdeacon of Dalriada by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison.

He will succeed the Ven Paul Dundas, rector of Christ Church, Lisburn, and will take up the role of Archdeacon on December 1.

Dennis said: “I am genuinely honoured and excited to have been asked by Bishop George to take up the role of Archdeacon of Dalriada.

“I am grateful of the trust that has been placed in me, and I am looking forward to serving God, with his help, in this wider capacity within Connor Diocese.”

Dennis is married to Jennifer and they have three children. He has a BEng in Architectural Engineering from Queen’s University; an MSc in Transport from Imperial College, London; a Prof Cert in Ministry from the University of Chester, and graduated with a MTh in Theology from Trinity College, Dublin, in 2016.

Prior to his training for ordination, Dennis worked as a Transport Planning Consultant for 15 years in both the public and private sector.

He served placements in Holy Trinity Parish, Dromore, Co Tyrone; St Barnabas’ Parish, Homerton, Hackney, London; and St Mark’s Parish, Dundela, Diocese of Down and Dromore.

Outgoing Archdeacon of Dalriada, the Ven Paul Dundas.

Dennis did his Deacon Intern Year (2015-16) at Muckamore Killead & Gartree Parish, Connor Diocese. He was ordained a priest in Connor Diocese in September 2016 when he moved to Ballymena and Ballyclug as curate.

Dennis has been rector in Ahoghill and Portglenone since June 2019, and was Chair of Connor Youth Council from 2024-26.

Outgoing Archdeacon Paul will continue to serve as Rector of Christ Church Lisburn and Chair of the Diocesan Mission Committee. He said he wished Dennis every blessing in his new role in leadership in Connor Diocese.

“I have valued the opportunity given to me by Bishop Alan and then Bishop George to share in the leadership of the diocese and to be with parishes and colleagues in Dalriada and the wider diocese to share in the joys and challenges of parish ministry,” Paul said.