Presbyter
an
DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OFTHE
PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements
forthe year ended 31 December 2025
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105059)
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Presbyter
an
DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEESANNUAL REPORT
The Trustees presenttheirAnnual Report and Financial Statements forthe year ended
31 December 2025 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as atthat date.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Downshire Road congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
Downshire Road, Newry BT34 1 DX
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC105059)
CHARITYTRUSTEES
The CharityTrustees who served duringthe year orwho were trustees at the date of this
reportwere
Mrwilliam Cartmill
Mrs Irene Faloon
Rev Brian Colvin
Mr Keith Faloon
Miss Elizabeth Cunningham
Mrs Helen Smyth
Mr David Cunningham
PRINCIPALOFFICE BEARERS
Minister
Rev Brian Colvin
Clerk of Session
Mr David Cunningham
Secretary
Mrs Helen Smyth
Treasurer
Mr Colin Whiteside
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Mr Colin R Berry. Chartered Accounts Ireland
2 Willow Close, Banbridge BT32 4RG
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Presbyter
an
DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)
BANKERS
Danske Bank,
58 Hill Street. Newry BT34 1AR
SOLICITORS
Fisher & Fisher Solicitors
9 John Mitchell Place, Newry, BT34 2DP
STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT
The Kirk Session
The charitytrustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Under the
congregation's governing document, The Code, the book of the constitution and
government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch over
and promote the spiritual interest of the congregation and of persons not connected
with any congregation who are within its bounds. It ensures pastoral care is in place in
the congregation and seeks to further the contribution of the Church to Christian
witness and service in the Local community. The Kirk Sessions has delegated to its
Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including
administering allfunds and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirk
Session are ex-officio members ofthe Congregational Committee.
The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the
congregations. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at
meetings, except that the Moderator, the ministers in active duty in the congregation,
has no deliberative but only a castingvote.
Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held at least twice in each year or as
appropriate.
To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a
voting member and a regular attendant on its ordinances. The selection of those
proposed to be called to the office can be either bythe congregation or by the Kirk
Session. Members are elected ifthey obtain two-thirds of those who vote.
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Presbyter
an
DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEESANNUAL REPORT(cont'd)
Presbytery
Underthe Presbyterian Church in Ireland form of governance the corporate oversight of
a congregation is the responsibility of a Presbytery which superintends generally the
spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations assigned to it bythe General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Downshire Road congregation of the
Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Newry Presbytery of the Presbyterian
Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active
ministers of congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly. ministers who have
retired from active duty and an elder appointed bythe Kirk Session of the congregation.
The General Assembly
The GeneralAssembly is the supreme court ofthe Church, representing in one bodythe
whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative, administration and judicial
authority, in dealing with all matters brought before it. The General Assembly is
normally constituted duringthe first week in June forworship and to conduct its
business. Atthe end of business, it is dissolved. The membership of the General
Assembly consists mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired
ministers and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each
congregation.
DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE
The charitable purpose of the congregation is the advancement of religion.
Downshire Road congregation of the Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as a Reformed
Church within the wider body of Christ is grounded in the Scriptures, and exists to love
and honour God through faith in His Son and bythe power of His Spirit, and to enable
her members to playtheir part in fulfilling God's mission to our world.
The congregations mission purpose is, 'by the grace of God and in the power of the Holy
Spirit to help people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds become fully devoted
followers of Jesus Christ and fully committed to the life, fellowship and mission of our
church.
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Presbyter
an
DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT(cont'd)
ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES
The congregation meets forworship everysunday morning and one Sunday evening per
month or as advertised and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lord's
Supper is observed on several occasions duringthe year and all those who have been
baptised and who have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are admitted
to the Lord's Supper. The congregation holds regular bible study meetings on a
Wednesday morning and Thursday evening and has a range of activities and
organisations as follows
SundaySchooL (Septemberto May)
Children's Church (June to August)
Youth Club (Saturday evening: October to May)
Mothers and Toddlers (Septemberto June)
Bowling Club (Wednesday Evening)
Badminton Club (Monday evening)
Presbyterian Women (First Tuesday of the month)
Holiday Bible Club (June)
ACHIEVEMENTSAND PERFORMANCE
Worship and prayer
The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11:30AM and twice
monthly in the evening with Ryans Presbyterian Church. Duringthe week the Bible
Study groups provides an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship, to
study the scriptures and for a time of prayer.
We did not administerthe Sacrament of Baptism in 2025. but received two new
communicant members on profession offaith, and conducted three weddings. We
gave thanks forfaithful service and sought to comfortthose who had been bereaved
duringthe year.
At 31 December 2025 there were 121 communicant members and 157 families
connected with the congregation. The average weekly attendance at morningworship
is 80 and the evening is 15
Pastoral care
Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age
are visited on a regular basis bythe minister and elders. PW members willvisittheir
own members when needed; members ofthe congregation provide informal pastoral
care to one another
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Presbyter
an
DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)
Mission
The congregation supports the United Appealfor Mission which is a central fund of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland. This fund enables congregations to support the wider
mission of the denomination and to do mission and outreach on a denominational
basis beyond what the congregation could do on its own. The United Appeal and
Mission Fund provides financial supportfor mission personnel at home and overseas,
assists congregations with the deployment of locally based staff, enables church
planting, provides grant support for the upkeep of church premises, assist with the
running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry
students, and financially supports congregation in the areas of worship. discipleship,
global mission, outreach. leadership and pastoral care.
In addition, the United Appeal and Mission Fund supported the work of Abaana in
uganda, Open Doors, Child Evangelism Fellowship, the work of the Irish Mission and
the work of Stephen and Angelina Cowan in Kenya and members ofthe congregation
which served on Mission Teams, both locally and overseas.
The congregation also contributed to the denomination's annual World Development
Appeal at Christmas, the Presbyterian Children's Society and the Society for Orphans
of Ministers and Missionaries any other special appeals.
The Presbyterian Women's Group (PW) of the congregation generously donated to the
PW Mission Fund which is centrally administered.
The congregation jointlywith Sandys St Presbyterian Church, St Patrick's Church of
Ireland Church and St Mary's Church of Ireland Church contribute to and run a Food
Bank in premises owned bythe four churches in the centre of Newry.
Presbytery
The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister
and / or one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congregations
and the wider structures of the church.
GeneralAssembly
The minister and an elder were nominated to attend the meeting of the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast. in
June.
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Presbyter
an
DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)
Property
The property is maintained to a high standard bythe Church Committee
The congregation approved the installation of screens in the meetinghouse, which was
completed in December 2025
Organisations
On a Monday morning, Mums and Toddlers meets in the church hallfrom 10:30AM to
12:00PM, providing a warm and welcoming environment for members ofthe
congregation and the wider community to bring pre-school children; about 12-15
children with their parents/grandparents attend on a regular basis
On a Mondayevening, the Badminton Club meets this is attended by 4-6 folkfrom our
congregation and wider community
On a Tuesday evening (twice per month from Octoberto Easter), the Pwgroup meets,
providing fellowship for ladies in the congregation; a visiting speaker is often present!
On a Wednesday morning, a Bible studytakes place, providing an opportunity for
members of the congregation and others to study the Bible and enjoy warm fellowship
On a Wednesday evening, the Bowling Club meets and about 10 members and others
gatherto enjoy a game of indoor bowls, and participate in competitions.
On a Thursday evening (twice monthly) a Bible Studytakes place, providing an
opportunityfor about 12-15 members to study God's Word and praytogether
For three evenings in June, the congregation ran a Holiday Bible Club for primary school
aged children in the church and wider community
Volunteers
The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of
theirtime by serving on committees and helpingwith organisations and other church
activities.
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an
DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEESANNUAL REPORT(cont'd)
PUBLIC BENEFITSTATEMENT
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing
benefit to its members and the general public by making known the Christian Gospel of
the Lord Jesus Christthrough the advancement of religion.
The direct benefits which flowfrom the purposes of the Church include the gaining of
an understanding in Christian beliefs as set out in the Bible and in the Church's
subordinate standards (the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger
Catechisms) Leadingto spiritual and moral development and opportunities for
response to Bible teaching. In turn. this framework Leads to practical expressions of
Christian beliefs and standards in the local community such as through the care of
those in need (includingthe sick, disabled and bereaved).
Generally, the above benefits are delivered locally by congregations and their
members, or are facilitated through presbyteries or are organised and delivered
centrally. Local delivery is facilitated by central resources in almost all cases. Public
access is made known through the use of noticeboards, printed material, press
advertisement, websites, and social media or in other ways.
The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and informal
and ad-hoc feedback from members, their families, and members ofthe public.
The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefitflowingfrom our purpose is
related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and LayAgents
who receive benefits as a result of their holding office or employment. However, this is
incidental and necessary in orderto further our charitable purpose. There are no other
private benefits. The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, theirfamilies, other
individuals thatthe Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and indirect contactwith,
the community in which pastoral services are provided and other communities
throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit from
our engagement with and support for both Christian and other secular organisations,
charities and individual members of the public.
The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions Public benefit requirement
statutory guidance.
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Presbyter
an
DOWNSHIRE ROAD CONGREGATION OFTHE PRESBYfERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd)
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The congregation's main source of income are members, contributions through the
Weekly Freewill Offeringtogetherwith Gift Aid claimed on those donations authorised
bythe contributors and investment income. There were 121 contributingfamilies at 31
December (121 in previous year, 2024) and a total of £65086 was received (£62,166 was
received in previous year 2023).
st
Total Income of the congregation during the yearwas £181908 compared to £145649 in
2024.
Total Expenditure was £136042 compared to £142553 in 2024.
STATEMENT OFTRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial
statements of the congregation in accordance with applicable Law and generally
accepted accounting practice.
As the congregation's total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have
elected under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 208 to prepare a
receipts and payment account and a statement of assets and liabilities.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are
sufficient to show and explain the congregation's transactions and disclose with
reasonable accuracy at anytime its financial position. They are also responsible for
safeguarding the assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable steps for
the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on Monday 27h April 2026 and signed on its
behalf by
[Name] .? , ÉKIACJ
[Name]
[Date]
[Date]
27.04-'26,
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