Church of Ireland and Methodist Chaplaincy, Belfast

The Church of Ireland and Methodist Chaplaincy is a jointly-backed Christian mission, currently based at Queen's University Belfast.

The status of the most popular Christian traditions at Queen's is unusual, as the four so-called mainline traditions (Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and Methodist) each own and operate property adjacent to the central university campus, whilst maintaining full independence. This situation is unique within the British Isles.

The Church of Ireland and Methodist Chaplaincy is notable as it contains residential accommodation for around fifty students, in effect creating a large Christian community on the campus.

The original student centre was established by the Church of Ireland in 1955, although the first chaplain was appointed as early as 1849. In 2012, a local covenant partnership was signed with the Methodist Church in Ireland to create a joint chaplaincy.

As well as several notable alumni, many chaplains have proceeded to hold influential positions within their respective denominations.

Chaplains

Church of Ireland

• Rev. Henry Murphy, B.D. (1849 - 1865)
• Ven. Edward Newenham Hoare (1865 - 1872), later Dean of Achonry, then Dean of Waterford.
• Rev. Samuel Busby, LL.D. (1872 - 1912), later Rector of St Andrew's church, Belfast.
• Ven. John Robinson, M.A. (1910 -1912), later Dean of Belfast.
• Ven. William Dowse, M.A. (1912 - 1913), later Dean of Connor.
• Rev. George Stephenson, LL.D. (1913 - 1926), later Rector of St Mary Magdelene church, Belfast.
• Rev. James Rutherford, B.A. (1926 - 1932), later Rector of Willowfield Parish.
• Rev. Frederick Mitchell, M.A. (1932 - 1937), later Rector of St. Polycarp's, Belfast.
• Rev. John Butler, M.A. (1937 - 1945), later Rector of St. Polycarp's, Belfast.
• Very Rev. Brian Harvey, B.D. (1945 - 1948), later Dean of St Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny.
• Ven. Jack Roundhill, B.D. (1948 - 1951)
• Very Rev. R. Edgar Turner, M.A. (1951 - 1958), later registrar of the Diocese of Connor.
• Very Rev. J Maurice G. Carey, M.A., B.D. (1958 - 1964), later Dean of St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork.
• Rev. G. Cecil Kerr (1965 - 1974), later founder of the Christian Renewal Centre, Rostrevor.
• Very Rev. John Dinnen (1974 - 1983), later Rector of Hillsborough Parish.
• Rt Rev. Harold C. Miller (1984 - 1989), current Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Dromore.
• Ven. Stephen Forde (1989 - 1995), current Archdeacon of Dalriada.
• Ven. Andrew J. Forster, BA BTh (1995 - 2002), current Archdeacon of Raphoe.
• Rev. Dr Patrick G. McGlinchey, BA BTh, MA, PhD (2002 - 2009), currently of the Church of Ireland Theological Institute.
• Rev. Barry G. Forde (2010 - 2014)

Since 2014, Rev. Barry Forde has been recognised as the first joint Church of Ireland and Methodist chaplain.

Methodist

• Rev. T. David Turtle (1974 - 1988)
• Rev. Donald Ker (1988 - 1991), later President of the Methodist Church in Ireland.
• Rev. Henry Keys (1991 - 2006)
• Mrs Gail Mercer (2006 - 2009), currently chaplain to Ulster University, Jordanstown.
• Rev. John Alderdice (2009 - 2014), currently Director of Ministry at Edgehill Theological College.

Notable alumni

Associated People

• Prof. J.C. Beckett, Irish historian (co-founder)
• Rt Rev. Trevor Williams, former Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe (assistant chaplain, 1977 - 1980)

Former Students

• Very Rev. John Mann, Dean of Belfast
• Alex Kane, political commentator
• Jim Wells, MLA
• Mark Russell, CEO, Church Army
• Gareth McCormack, Irish photographer
• Thomas Keown, co-founder of Many Hopes Foundation
• Dr Brendan McCarthy, adviser to the Church of England Archbishop's Council
• Mark Patterson, BBC radio presenter

Church of Ireland Theological Lectures at Queen's

Since 1957, the Church of Ireland's Board of Education has funded annual lectures, hosted by Queen's University, which eminent theological figures (typically, but not always, Anglican) are invited to deliver. In recent years, these have included the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby; the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, the Archbishop of Armagh, Richard Clarke; theologian Alistair McGrath; Bishop of Kensington, Graham Tomlin; and philosopher, Elaine Storkey.