Woodvale Methodist Church

Woodvale Methodist Church is positioned on the front of Cambrai Street near the busy, main thoroughfare to Belfast city centre.

There has been a place of worship on the site since 1896. The Church Hall was previously part of an adjacent school. The main church building was opened on 27th April 1940. The boiler house of the church was at that time used as a bomb shelter for the community. The church is of brick construction with an entrance porch which leads into a spacious foyer used as a meeting room and for bible study, created in 1992 by extending the original foyer into the church. The division between this room and the back wall of the worship space is formed by a coloured glass mosaic depicting a large cross.

Of special interest are three stained glass windows set at the top of the church. The larger middle window dates from the mid 1950’s, the others from the mid 1960’s. These windows were recently removed for refurbishment and cleaning necessitated by being close to the site of the Mountainview Tavern bombings of 1971 and 1975 where the effects of the blast were felt on the building.

Our church lies at the heart of Woodvale area of north Belfast. This is an area of high social and economic deprivation. When political violence erupted onto our streets the area was greatly affected. During the Troubles there was a substantial population exodus. As the working class community were scattered extended family networks were taken apart and many of those left remain isolated. We recognise the need to reach out and make a difference in the everyday lives of those who live in our area and strengthen our roots in the community. As a well as the social need across the area, there is also significant need for Christian spiritual support, outreach and engagement. The churches in the area, not least Woodvale Methodist have a significant Mission field on our doorsteps.