About Bangor Elim

Bangor Elim is all about people! We believe that we are called to live out what Jesus said “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbour as yourself. We believe that Bangor Elim exists to love God and to love people.

What to expect…

Who will i meet?

The people in church are ordinary people from the community. They come to church to learn more about God, to enjoy worship, the friendship of other people and to help support each other.

Do i have to give money?

No. The money we give to the church is to pay our heating bills, maintain the building and to fund our programmes. You are not expected to give money as a visitor. Just pass the offering bag on to the next person.

What should i wear?

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Many people in Bangor Elim wear jeans and t-shirts to our meetings, while other like to get dressed up in their best. Nobody will judge you on what you are wearing.

What will happen when i come?

When you arrive, there will be someone to welcome you at the door, help you to find your way around and get a seat in the church. If you have children our welcome team will help you access the creche and our kids programme.

What will be expected of me?

Nothing will be expected of you except to relax and enjoy the meeting.

What if i have questions?

If you hear or see anything during our meetings that you would like to know more about feel free to ask our Pastors or any of the leadership team. They will be happy to chat with you and answer any questions.

History

For over 100 years Bangor Elim has been built upon the foundations of Christian fellowship within the community. In the early years, from 1914, large crowds would gather on the high bank above Ballyholme promenade to watch July baptismal services.

 

Elim Founder George Jeffreys first held meetings for local people in a tent, which was bought for £20. On one occasion a decade later in 1924, a total of 61 candidates braved the cold seawater to be baptised in the tide. From these humble beginnings, the Elim Church in Bangor has grown into a centre of family worship for Christians of all ages.

 

Bangor Elim is the fourth longest established Elim Church anywhere. The Elim Pentecostal Church is a worldwide fellowship, which incorporates a large and growing number of national Pentecostal groups around the world. There are 60 Elim congregations throughout Ireland, North and South, and over 500 throughout the UK.

 

The Elim church in Bangor was established in 1916 and the first minister was E.W. Hare, a former president of Cambridge University’s Christian Union. Pastor Robert Tweed opened the purpose-built church at Southwell Road on 31st January 1926 at a total cost of £643. The church remained in the same building until an increase in numbers required them to move to larger premises on Bloomfield Road in 1992, (which is now where you will find Lidl).

 

The Bloomfield Squash Club was bought and renovated for this purpose. The congregation numbers steadily rose at Bloomfield Road until it became necessary for us to look for new premises again. In April 2000 exactly eight years after moving into Bloomfield Road, Bangor Elim moved to it’s current building in Balloo Crescent.