We are connected to the Belfast City Mission, Rathcoole.
The church is looking forward to having the New Activity Hall built work starting July 2005
and is progressing well
OBJECT
The advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self–Respect and all that tends towards a true Christian Manliness.
MOTTO
FOUNDER
Sir William Alexander Smith
William Smith was born on 27th October 1854 in Pennyland House, Thurso, in the north of Scotland. He joined the volunteers and at the age of 19, while working in his uncle’s business in Glasgow became a Lance Corporal in the 1st Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers.
By 1883 William Smith had become a Lieutenant and was teaching in North Woodside Mission Sunday School. The boys in his Sunday School class were a challenge because they had no discipline. He was open to suggestions. Someone suggested that the methods used in the volunteers may be appropriate. He took this idea further and the Boys’ Brigade was formed.
The Boys’ Brigade was officially formed on 4th October 1883 and was a tremendous success.
In 1909 William Smith was knighted for his services to The Boys’ Brigade.
He died on May 10th 1914 after taking ill at a Boys’ Brigade meeting.
OUR COMPANY
The 16th Newtownabbey was formed in January 1972 and it was the 1st company to be started in a Belfast City Mission Hall. Our Mission Hall is situated in the centre of a large council housing estate called Rathcoole and was at one time the largest in Europe. But due to social changes and unemployment a large number of houses and flats have been demolished. There are 6 other Boys’ Brigade Companies within a 2 mile radius of us. Rathcoole estate is approximately 5 miles to the north of Belfast.
Our Company is part of the Belfast Battalion and we participate in many of their competitions i.e. Football, Horse Work, Mat Work, Individual Gymnastics, Sports Quiz, Bible Knowledge, Band, Athletics, Super Stars, Cross Country, 5-A-Side etc.
Company Section Staff
Session 2005/2006
Captain: David Hunter, Lieutenant Dennis Murray, Lieutenant: Jim Holmes, Lieutenant: Paul Hamill, Warrant Officer: William Lynn, Steven McKernon Instructors: Alan Acheson
Session 2004/2005
Company Section:
32 boys, 4 Officers, 2 Warrant Officer & 1 Instructors
Junior Section:
24 boys & 4 Officers , 1 Leaders, 1 Pianist & 2 Junior Leaders
Anchor Boys:
32 boys, 3 Officers, 1 Leader & 2 Junior Leader
Company Section Programme
Sunday Morning: - (Mission Hall)
9:45 to 10:15 Breakfast & 10:15 to 11:00 Bible Class
Monday Evening: - (Newtownabbey Community High School)
7:00 to 8:00 Gymnastics, 8:00 to 9:15 Circuit Training, Games & 5-A-Football etc.
Wednesday Evening: - (Mission Hall)
7:00 to 8:00 Band
8:00 to 9:15 Parade & Badge Classes
9:15 to 10:15 Club: - snooker, table tennis, play stations,
Coffee bar, tuck shop & Floodlit activities: - Tennis, Hockey & football etc.
Saturday Afternoon: - Football, Cross Country etc.
Sunday morning Bible Class is very important in our programme
Guest Speaker John Belfast City Missionary from Ballysillan Hall speaks to the boys at Sunday Morning Bible Class
Junior Section
Friday Evening: - (Mission Hall) 6:30 to 8:00
Saturday Morning: - Football
Sunday School - (Mission Hall) 3:00 to 4:00
Anchor Boys
Wednesday Evening: - (Mission Hall) 6:30 to 7:45
Sunday School - (Mission Hall) 3:00 to 4:00
Click here to view Photos of some Company Section Activities
