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Holy Trinity, Ballycastle.
The church is situated in the main square (or 'Diamond') of Ballycastle enclosed in a churchyard. Like the rest of the square the church is grade 'A' listed. The church was completed in 1756, being built by Colonel Hugh Boyd, who bore the total cost. It was built in Graeco-Italian style with an apse-shaped chancel and an octagonal spire about 100 feet high. It was effectively a chapel for the Boyd family and estate for many years, the remains of many Boyd descendants are in the vaults below, although it was always subject to Episcopal jurisdiction. It was given to the Church of Ireland about 1950. This church is open every day from 9am-5pm.
Morning Services:
Ramoan parish has two churches and during the summer months (April - September) main morning worship is in Holy Trinity. In the winter months (October - March) morning worship is in St. James. The main morning service (Alternative Prayer Book) is at 11.30 am according to the following pattern:
week 1 Holy Communion
week 2 (& 5) Morning Prayer
week 3 Holy Communion
week 4 All-Age Worship
There is a full, robed choir at the above services apart from the All-Age Service where the worship is more informal and often led by the Youth Choir and/or the Sunday School.
In addition, there is a said Holy Communion Service at 9.30 am in Holy Trinity on weeks two and four of any month throughout the year.
Evening services:
The evening service at 6.30 pm follows the opposite pattern: it is in St. James in the summer and in Holy Trinity in the winter. The pattern is:
Weeks 1, 2, 3 (&5) Evening Prayer
Week 4 Holy Communion with laying-on of hands for the sick.
COMBINED SERVICES
All Saints' Days are celebrated in Holy Trinity at 10 am with Holy Communion. Occasional special evening services are held with Ballycastle Presbyterian Church to mark joint ventures such as the Boys' and Girls' Brigade, Harvest Festival and Remembrance Sunday. We hold ecumenical services during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and also for our Christian Aid service when we are joined by parishioners and clergy from both the Presbyterian and Roman Catholic churches. The central position of Holy Trinity in the town comes into good effect as we gather outside the church in the square (weather permitting!) for our annual Ecumenical Schools Carol Service in December.
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