ABC Council has given its blessing to allow three open air church praise services to take place on its property this summer.
Councillors on the environment services committee this week backed a request for the use of Solitude Park in Banbridge.
Banbridge Baptist Church first held Praise in the Park in July 2012 and it has become an annual event, with the exception of these past few years due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The Council Bye-Laws Section 12 state that: “(a) No person shall preach, lecture, or take part in any public meeting for political, religious or any other purpose, or take part in any public show, performance or demonstration, except with the prior consent of the Council and in such part of the recreational facilities as may be set aside by the Council for that purpose”.
For a number of years Banbridge Baptist Church outreach into the community with three Sunday evening praise services.
This year the church wish to hold three services on June 5 and 12 and again on July 3.
Each praise service lasts from 6.30pm until 7.30pm.
According to a council report to the environment committee: “It is a community-based event and has been enjoyed by Park users and many people who do not attend the church.”
Councillors raised no objections to the events being held.
