Damage to Presbyterian Churches during the Blitz on Belfast
This information is taken from the records of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland in MPS/1/3/2 (Air Raids, Situation Reports)
This Ministry, created in 1941, was the wartime creation of the Stormont Administration and was responsible for public security, civil defence, the preservation of peace and the maintenance of order, the co-ordination of civil defence services and the protection of persons and property from injury or damage.
The following Presbyterian Churches were affected during the Air Raids on Belfast in April and May 1941:
Westbourne Presbyterian Church, Newtownards Road – roof, windows and gable damaged – in use
Megain Presbyterian Church, Newtownards Road – roof and windows damaged – in use
Belfast City Mission, Cuba Street – roof and windows damaged – in use
Belfast City Mission, Island Street – roof and windows damaged – in use
Mersey Street Presbyterian Church, Mersey Street – roof damaged – in use
Strand Presbyterian Church, Connsbrook Avenue – windows damaged – in use
Bloomfield Presbyterian Church, Beersbridge Road – roof and windows damaged – in use
Mountpottinger Presbyterian Church, Castlereagh Street – roof and windows damage – in use
Ravenhill Road Presbyterian Church, Ravenhill Road – windows damage – in use
Clifton Street Presbyterian Church, Clifton Street – only walls standing
Crumlin Road Presbyterian Church, Crumlin Road – only walls standing
Albert Hall, Shankill Road Mission, Shankill Road – roof, windows and glass dome damaged – undergoing repairs and services suspended temporarily
Rosemary Street Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, Rosemary Street – mainly roof and windows – services being held
Rosemary Street Presbyterian, Rosemary Street – burnt out – services suspended
Fortwilliam Presbyterian Church, Antrim Road – mainly roof and windows – services being held
St Enoch’s Presbyterian Church, Carlisle Circus – mainly roof and windows – services being held
Duncairn Presbyterian Church, Antrim Road – mainly roof and windows – services being held
York Street Presbyterian Church, York Street – destroyed – services suspended
York Street Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church – burnt out – services suspended
Newington Presbyterian Church, Limestone Road – destroyed – services suspended
Macrory Memorial Presbyterian Church, Duncairn Gardens – destroyed – services suspended
Oldpark Presbyterian Church, Cliftonville Road – badly damaged – services suspended
Cliftonville Presbyterian Church, Cliftonpark Avenue – damaged – services suspended
See also: History Hub Ulster - The Belfast Blitz: Lost Church Memorials