I REALLY LIKE THIS BUILDING
I am not sure if this was my first time to see this attractive building but I have photographed it a number of times in recent years because I really like. When I photographed in May 2017 there was a lot of dust on my sensor, which happens every time I visit Belfast maybe because of all the flyovers in the city centre ... today, 6 July 2024, I was able to remove all the defects due to dust.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Church in Belfast is located in a building that was formerly the Christian Science Church. It was purchased by the INC in 2013. The INC is a global Christian denomination headquartered in the Philippines, and it established its presence in Northern Ireland in the late 1980s.
The church you photographed in 2017 is the current location of the INC in Belfast, and it remains active as a place of worship for the INC community.
The building that houses the Iglesia Ni Cristo Church in Belfast was originally designed as the First Church of Christ Scientist by architect Clough Williams-Ellis. Williams-Ellis is best known for designing the Italianate village of Portmeirion in Wales.
The First Church of Christ Scientist was built in 1936-37, and its design is quite unusual for Belfast. It is a Modern Movement building with Art Deco elements. The church is characterised by its curved facade, horizontal emphasis, and use of white rendering.
The Christian Science community in Belfast used the building for their worship services until 2013 when it was sold to the Iglesia Ni Cristo. The reasons for the sale are not entirely clear, but it is likely that the dwindling number of Christian Scientists in Belfast played a role.
Christian Science was founded in the late 19th century by Mary Baker Eddy, who believed she had discovered the spiritual laws behind Jesus' healing ministry. It is a unique religious movement that emphasises spiritual healing through prayer and understanding of God's power.
Here are some key aspects that distinguish Christian Science:
Healing through Prayer: Christian Scientists believe that illness is a result of a misunderstanding of God's perfect spiritual creation. They rely on prayer for healing, seeking to align their thought with God's truth and love.
Denial of Material Reality: Christian Science teaches that material reality is an illusion, and the only true reality is spiritual. This view leads them to approach physical challenges through prayer and spiritual understanding rather than traditional medical means.
Central Text: In addition to the Bible, Christian Scientists rely on "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. This book is considered a key to understanding the Bible's spiritual teachings and applying them to healing.
Church Services: Christian Science church services are simple and focused on readings from the Bible and "Science and Health." There are no sermons, but testimonies of healing are shared by members.
Christian Science grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with churches established across the United States and other countries. However, it has faced controversy due to its rejection of traditional medicine. While Christian Scientists are not prohibited from seeking medical care, their primary reliance on prayer for healing has raised concerns and ethical debates.
Despite these challenges, Christian Science continues to be practiced by a dedicated group of followers who find solace and healing through its spiritual teachings.
Iglesia Ni Cristo:
The INC established its presence in Northern Ireland in the late 1980s.
It has since expanded to multiple locations in the ROI, including Dublin, Cork, and Galway.
Christian Science:
While the Belfast church no longer operates as a Christian Science church, there are still active Christian Science communities in both Northern Ireland and the ROI. There is no specific data for the number of Christian
Science followers in the Irish State. Some reports indicate that members reside mainly in the Dublin, Cork and Limerick areas. There are places of worship in Dublin and Cork. At this time July 2024] there are no Christian Science practitioners (healing Ministry) in the Irish State.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Church in Belfast is located in a building that was formerly the Christian Science Church. It was purchased by the INC in 2013. The INC is a global Christian denomination headquartered in the Philippines, and it established its presence in Northern Ireland in the late 1980s.
The church you photographed in 2017 is the current location of the INC in Belfast, and it remains active as a place of worship for the INC community.
The building that houses the Iglesia Ni Cristo Church in Belfast was originally designed as the First Church of Christ Scientist by architect Clough Williams-Ellis. Williams-Ellis is best known for designing the Italianate village of Portmeirion in Wales.
The First Church of Christ Scientist was built in 1936-37, and its design is quite unusual for Belfast. It is a Modern Movement building with Art Deco elements. The church is characterised by its curved facade, horizontal emphasis, and use of white rendering.
The Christian Science community in Belfast used the building for their worship services until 2013 when it was sold to the Iglesia Ni Cristo. The reasons for the sale are not entirely clear, but it is likely that the dwindling number of Christian Scientists in Belfast played a role.
Christian Science was founded in the late 19th century by Mary Baker Eddy, who believed she had discovered the spiritual laws behind Jesus' healing ministry. It is a unique religious movement that emphasises spiritual healing through prayer and understanding of God's power.
Here are some key aspects that distinguish Christian Science:
Healing through Prayer: Christian Scientists believe that illness is a result of a misunderstanding of God's perfect spiritual creation. They rely on prayer for healing, seeking to align their thought with God's truth and love.
Denial of Material Reality: Christian Science teaches that material reality is an illusion, and the only true reality is spiritual. This view leads them to approach physical challenges through prayer and spiritual understanding rather than traditional medical means.
Central Text: In addition to the Bible, Christian Scientists rely on "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. This book is considered a key to understanding the Bible's spiritual teachings and applying them to healing.
Church Services: Christian Science church services are simple and focused on readings from the Bible and "Science and Health." There are no sermons, but testimonies of healing are shared by members.
Christian Science grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with churches established across the United States and other countries. However, it has faced controversy due to its rejection of traditional medicine. While Christian Scientists are not prohibited from seeking medical care, their primary reliance on prayer for healing has raised concerns and ethical debates.
Despite these challenges, Christian Science continues to be practiced by a dedicated group of followers who find solace and healing through its spiritual teachings.
Iglesia Ni Cristo:
The INC established its presence in Northern Ireland in the late 1980s.
It has since expanded to multiple locations in the ROI, including Dublin, Cork, and Galway.
Christian Science:
While the Belfast church no longer operates as a Christian Science church, there are still active Christian Science communities in both Northern Ireland and the ROI. There is no specific data for the number of Christian
Science followers in the Irish State. Some reports indicate that members reside mainly in the Dublin, Cork and Limerick areas. There are places of worship in Dublin and Cork. At this time July 2024] there are no Christian Science practitioners (healing Ministry) in the Irish State.
I REALLY LIKE THIS BUILDING