Our History
A brief history of McQuiston 1892 to present.
McQuiston was first organised as a church extension charge in 1892 under the name Willowfield Presbyterian Church. Membership of the church increased dramatically under the ministry of the Rev. Thomas Rutherford Ballantine. The green fields on the outskirts of Belfast were being transformed into streets with row upon row of red bricked terrace houses. Belfast city’s population was growing to meet the new demands of industry. Our first church building was known as the “Iron Church” but soon was too small to meet the needs of the congregation. The name “McQuiston” by which the congregation is known today commemorates the name of a benefactor, W J McQuiston, who bequeathed to the church almost half of the building costs of the present building. The present church building opened for worship on 27 February 1897.
Throughout the early 20th century and, due in large part to the outstanding ministries of the Rev. Ballantine and his successor the Rev. D D Boyle, McQuiston eventually became the largest Presbyterian congregation in Ireland. In the 1960s we had over 1500 families claiming connection with the congregation.
Since our earliest days the church has been at the heart of the community in Willowfield providing educational opportunities, a place to meet socially for members and an outlet for physical activity for young people and local residents.
However, the central object of the church above all these activities has been to bear witness to Christ in the community. Over the years the area in which we are placed has grown, matured and declined. However, it is once more in growth through urban re-development and the provision of modern homes. Our present strength is around 270 families.
Since 1892 some 8 ministers have served the congregation:-
Rev T R Ballantine 1892 – 1910
Rev Dr D D Boyle 1910 – 1938
Rev Dr J B McIlroy 1938 – 1958
Rev S Eaton 1959 – 1975
Rev R D Drysdale 1976 – 1980
Rev H Gray 1980 – 1986
Rev W R Robinson 1987 – 2000
Rev R J Beggs 2001 – 2022
From 1919 to the present day 52 Assistant Ministers have also received training within the congregation and gone on to minister in numerous congregation throughout Ireland, Scotland, Israel and Canada.
To assist the ministerial team, we have been blessed by the appointment of a Church Sister, two Deaconesses, and a Woman Worker. All have brought pastoral support to many in need within the congregation.
Our first Kirk Session was ordained by the Presbytery in 1905 and since then men and women, elected by the congregation to serve as Elders, have faithfully undertaken their duties with diligence and dedication.
In 2017 we celebrated 125 years of Christian witness on the Castlereagh Road and within the Willowfield area.
More information is available from our online collection of historical archive documents here.
McQuiston was first organised as a church extension charge in 1892 under the name Willowfield Presbyterian Church. Membership of the church increased dramatically under the ministry of the Rev. Thomas Rutherford Ballantine. The green fields on the outskirts of Belfast were being transformed into streets with row upon row of red bricked terrace houses. Belfast city’s population was growing to meet the new demands of industry. Our first church building was known as the “Iron Church” but soon was too small to meet the needs of the congregation. The name “McQuiston” by which the congregation is known today commemorates the name of a benefactor, W J McQuiston, who bequeathed to the church almost half of the building costs of the present building. The present church building opened for worship on 27 February 1897.
Throughout the early 20th century and, due in large part to the outstanding ministries of the Rev. Ballantine and his successor the Rev. D D Boyle, McQuiston eventually became the largest Presbyterian congregation in Ireland. In the 1960s we had over 1500 families claiming connection with the congregation.
Since our earliest days the church has been at the heart of the community in Willowfield providing educational opportunities, a place to meet socially for members and an outlet for physical activity for young people and local residents.
However, the central object of the church above all these activities has been to bear witness to Christ in the community. Over the years the area in which we are placed has grown, matured and declined. However, it is once more in growth through urban re-development and the provision of modern homes. Our present strength is around 270 families.
Since 1892 some 8 ministers have served the congregation:-
Rev T R Ballantine 1892 – 1910
Rev Dr D D Boyle 1910 – 1938
Rev Dr J B McIlroy 1938 – 1958
Rev S Eaton 1959 – 1975
Rev R D Drysdale 1976 – 1980
Rev H Gray 1980 – 1986
Rev W R Robinson 1987 – 2000
Rev R J Beggs 2001 – 2022
From 1919 to the present day 52 Assistant Ministers have also received training within the congregation and gone on to minister in numerous congregation throughout Ireland, Scotland, Israel and Canada.
To assist the ministerial team, we have been blessed by the appointment of a Church Sister, two Deaconesses, and a Woman Worker. All have brought pastoral support to many in need within the congregation.
Our first Kirk Session was ordained by the Presbytery in 1905 and since then men and women, elected by the congregation to serve as Elders, have faithfully undertaken their duties with diligence and dedication.
In 2017 we celebrated 125 years of Christian witness on the Castlereagh Road and within the Willowfield area.
More information is available from our online collection of historical archive documents here.
