A new free exhibition exploring the history of Seymour Street Methodist Church has opened at the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum. ‘Seymour Street 150: Methodism in Lisburn’ is open to the public Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5.00pm.
There is a wide selection of objects on display relating to the early history of Methodism in Lisburn, as well as church life at Seymour Street over the course of one and a half centuries. One of the rarest artefacts is a letter written by the founder of Methodism, the Rev. John Wesley (1703-91), who preached in Lisburn’s Market House – now the museum – for the first time in 1756. He would return to Lisburn on 13 occasions.
At the official launch of the exhibition, Councillor Tim Mitchell, Communities and Wellbeing Chairman, remarked:
“As with any anniversary, planning is essential. Our museum has been working with Seymour Street Methodist for almost two years to create this exhibition to mark 150 years of their church. The museum is an appropriate location for such an exhibition, given that it is the same building that John Wesley began his mission to consolidate Methodism in Lisburn when he preached here almost 270 years ago.
“I would like to personally congratulate Seymour Street Methodist Church on its 150th anniversary. It is a major milestone, and like all the churches in the Lisburn and Castlereagh area, they have played and continue to play an important role in the communities they serve.”
The Rev. David Turtle, minister of Seymour Street Methodist Church, attended the launch and commented:
“The story of our congregation is interwoven with the life of Lisburn, and this exhibition offers a wonderful opportunity to honour that shared heritage. We are grateful to the museum for helping us tell this story, and we warmly encourage the whole community to come, reflect, and perhaps even rediscover their own connection to Seymour Street.”
The exhibition runs until 30 April 2026. For more information, visit: https://www.lisburnmuseum.com/events/seymour-street-150-methodism-in-lisburn/