'Murder triangle' church marks 100 years

Ballysillan Elim was birthed in an old cinema, survived the Troubles and today is a small church with a big heart for the community. As it marks its centenary, pastor Tom McCann told Direction its story.

“We are very glad to hear that Mr Gilpin, an elder at the Elim Tabernacle, Belfast, has been successful in obtaining a derelict cinema in the Ballysillan district for the proclamation of the Foursquare Gospel,” reported the Elim Evangel in 1925.

“Although it presented a very grim and uninviting appearance, yet under the willing and capable hands of some of the Elim Evangelistic Band, together with other workers, within one week a wonderful and rapid change was effected.

“… There is now in progress what gives every indication of being a very successful mission conducted by Miss Streight, assisted by other members of the Elim Evangelistic Band. Prayer is requested that many souls will be saved and God’s people blessed.”

This is the story of Ballysillan Elim’s first days, which its pastor Tom McCann is remembering as the church prepared to celebrate its centenary.

Ballysillan Elim has been rooted in its community ever since – located in the former cinema until 1934, when it moved to its current home three doors down.

Witnessing the Troubles

One key period for Ballysillan was the late 60s to the late 90s – the Troubles – which the church witnessed from its frontline position in north Belfast.

“Ballysillan was infamously known as being part of the ‘murder triangle’,” says Tom. “It was very rough back then. There’s an estate not too far away, Ardoyne, which was fiercely republican, whereas Ballysillan was fiercely loyalist.”

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