The Assembly Buildings, formerly known as Church House, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, are the headquarters of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. It was refurbished in 1992 and also functions as a commercial conference centre. [1] Although there was a decision taken to move to a new location the General Assembly, in 2006, voted to overturn the decision. [2]
The building is located near the centre of Belfast at the junction of Fisherwick Place, Great Victoria Street, Howard Street and Grosvenor Road. [3] It was built in 1905, in the Gothic style, and opened by the Duke of Argyll. [4] It is dominated by a 40m high clock tower, which contains Belfast's only peal of 12 bells. [3]
It is home to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Assembly Hall is oval-shaped with a gallery, and can seat 1,300 people. The hall is illuminated by a glass skylight, which is now illuminated artificially. [5] In 2005, the General Assembly announced that they planned to move their headquarters from the Assembly Buildings after receiving six offers for the building. [6] It was initially approved by the General Assembly with the provision that they could still meet there. [7] However in 2006, the General Assembly reversed the decision and voted in favour of retaining the Assembly Buildings. [2]
Following its refurbishment in 1992 following damage from a bomb blast, it was reopened by Princess Diana. [1] From there, the Assembly Buildings also function as a commercial conference centre, Assembly Buildings Conference Centre as well as The Spires shopping centre being opened on the site. [8] However, in 2016, the Presbyterian Church announced that they were closing the shopping centre in order to expand the Assembly Buildings' conference facilities. [9]
