The Rev Dennis Christie, formerly Curate of Ballymena and Ballyclug was instituted as rector of the Grouped Parishes of Ahoghill and Portglenone on Wednesday 26th June 2019.
Dennis, 43, is married to Jennifer and they have three children.
He has a BEng in Architectural Engineering from Queen’s University and an MSc in Transport from Imperial College, London. He has a Prof. Cert. in Ministry from the University of Chester and he graduated with a MTh in Theology from Trinity College, Dublin, in 2016.
Prior to his training for ordination, Dennis worked as a Transport Planning Consultant for 15 years in both the public and private sector.
He served placements in Holy Trinity Parish, Dromore, Co Tyrone, St Barnabas’ Parish, Homerton, Hackney, London and St Mark’s Parish, Dundela, Diocese of Down and Dromore.
Dennis did his Deacon Intern Year (2015-16) at Muckamore Killead & Gartree Parish, Connor Diocese. He was ordained a priest in Connor Diocese in September 2016 and has been curate at Ballymena and Ballyclug since then.
Dennis loves spending time with his family, walking the family dog Bob, reading, music, and following football and cricket.
Rev Dennis Christie says he and his wife are ‘very excited about the prospect of serving God’ in the Grouped Parishes of Ahoghill and Portglenone
Speaking before his ‘institution’ as rector of Ahoghill and Portglenone, Dennis said: “Jen and I are very excited about the prospect of serving God in this community, although we will be saddened to be leaving our church family in Ballymena.
Serving as a Curate in the Parish of Ballymena, alongside Rev Mark McConnell and among so many encouraging parishioners, has been a great experience for my family and I.”
A large crowd of Parishioners from both Ahoghill and Portglenone gathered to welcome their new Rector.
The task of preaching at the service fell to the Rev Canon Mark McConnell. Dennis was instituted by the Ven George Davison, Archdeacon of Belfast and Bishop’s Commissary.
For more information about the Grouped Parishes of St Colmanell’s Ahoghill and Portglenone, log on to their Facebook page here.
