Since the foundation of Newtownards Road Methodist Church in 1826, on a recurring cycle of roughly every 50 years, there has been major redevelopment on the church’s site on the Newtownards Road. The last major development was in 1952 when a new church replaced the old one which had been blitzed in 1941.

Now, through EBM’s participation in the Skainos Project, another generation is facing up to it’s challenge of making the Gospel relevant for a new era.

The Project began in 2000 with EBM’s vision to develop it’s programmes and services through a rebuilding scheme on the existing site. But as adjacent brownfield sites became available, and the Mission found a willing partner in Oaklee Housing Association, the project grew into the venture it is today—the creation of an urban village on a 2 acre site in the heart of the Lower Newtownards Road.