Who we are
Our congregation is served by a large number of people who give enthusiastically of their time and energy to strengthen the Church.
Rev. Peter Fleming: has been minister in First Coleraine since 1998. He is married to Jayne and has three daughters. If you would like to know more about Peter or what he is doing please pay a visit to his blog
Gordy McCracken: our Youth and Family Worker since 2000. Gordy is involved in all aspects of our youth ministry and is seeking to strengthen families in our congregation. He is married to Karen and has four children.
Rosemary Watson: our Church Administrator since 1999. Rosemary works in the office carrying out an endless range of administrative tasks from producing the weekly bulletin, printing magazines, dealing will enquiries and making sure the minister doesn't do anything too crazy.
Rev Sam Millar: our pastoral visitor. Sam retired from full time ministry in 2003 and has been actively involved in pastoral visiting in First Coleraine ever since. His contact with our senior members and with families in their homes has been a vital part of our congregations work.
The past and the present
There have been Presbyterians in Coleraine since 1643, however the early years of Presbyterianism in Coleraine were marked by many changes and uncertainties. The first Presbyterian minister, Thomas Vesey, was actually the Rector of St Patrick's! He became a Presbyterian for a time, though he continued to minister in St Patrick's. He later reverted to the Established Church again. We can trace 'Presbyterian worship' back to 1644 though it is likely that there was not a formal place for such services till the late 1660s. The earliest building was probably very primitive and sited in Meeting House Lane (now known as Abbey St), very close to the current building.
Throughout three and a half centuries since our foundation we have worshipped in at least two buildings, and carried out a considerable number of alterations to them. The current one was erected in 1829 and has served many generations well.
During this time the style of our worship has altered radically, but the reason for worship and the meaning of what we do has not changed. Today we are blessed with a modern and comfortable building. We are led in worship in many different ways. First impressions may have changed but we read the same Bible, worship the same Lord, proclaim the same gospel, and share the same fellowship of the Church of Christ in every nation and century. In these unchanging things we rejoice.
