The Sligo Centre of Mission is a partnership between Church Army and the Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh. In October 2021, Drumcliffe Centre of Mission was relaunched as Sligo Centre of Mission, reflecting a change of direction to better represent the vision of the project and the area which it serves on the west coast of Ireland.

A significant part of the work of the centre of mission is ReCentre Community Church, a fresh expression of church. Thanks to your support, on Sunday 3rd October 2021, ReCentre Community Church met for the first time for public worship with Bishop Ferran Glenfield sharing a service of blessing for ReCentre and the work of the centre of mission in the local area.

Alan Williamson, Lead Evangelist, writes “We have been working hard to get the building cleaned and decorated. This building has been secured through some generous Trust donations for the coming year. We would really appreciate prayers as we settle into our new home and listen to what Gods saying in the local community that we become good neighbours and serve the local community well as both a place of presence and a place of service.”

Historically, Mail Coach Road where ReCentre Community Church is situated was named after the mail delivery vehicle that brought news to Sligo in the 19th and early 20th century. It is the hope of the centre of mission that ReCentre Community Church will live up to the roads’ rich history and bring good news to the people of Sligo.

Donate now

About Sligo

• County Sligo has a population of 63,000, with the county town of Sligo accounting for 38,500 members of the population. 67 different languages are spoken in Sligo.
• Single parent households have doubled in the last 20 years.
• 28% of County Sligo’s population live alone.
• Sligo has experienced the fastest rate of urbanisation in Ireland across the last decade but most people live in rural areas.
• In the last 15 years, Sligo has seen a large increase in social deprivation, with 4 areas classed as “Very Deprived” and a further 31 “disadvantaged” areas.
• Social exclusion is experienced mostly by the unemployed, lone parents, new communities, Travellers, older people and people with disabilities.
• In Sligo, the population of Travellers aged 40+ decreases sharply compared to those 40+ in the overall population.
• Self-harm rates and psychiatric inpatient admissions are higher than the national average and are increasing faster than the national average also.
• Sligo has the third highest rates of treatment for alcohol misuse across Ireland.

Statistics courtesy of Sligo County Council.

Hannah O’Neill joins Sligo Centre of Mission

Hannah, pictured above, bottom right, is 31 years old, from East Belfast but for the last 4 years has been living and working in Craigavon as the Youth and Kids Pastor at Hope Church in Down and Dromore Diocese. In September she began training with Church Army and wholeheartedly believes in their vision “for everyone everywhere to encounter God’s love.

Hannah was previously in Kilmore diocese as the youth and Children’s co-ordinator and is very much looking forward to her return to KEA.

“Having grown up visiting Rosnowlagh every summer with family, South Donegal is my favourite place on earth. I am excited and expectant for the move to Bundoran and all God is unfolding through the Sligo Centre of Mission. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with old KEA friends and making new ones, and working together to build God’s Kingdom in the local area.”

Bishop Ferran Glenfield the Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh commented,  “The Sligo Centre of Mission continues to thrive and we are delighted that Hannah O’Neill will be joining the leadership team in February. Hannah brings a passion for God and a deep desire for mission. “

Alan Williamson the Lead evangelist of the Sligo Centre of Mission commented, “I am so excited to welcome Hannah to the Sligo COM and the west of Ireland. Bundoran and North Leitrim is an area with many needs but much potential. I am looking forward to seeing God at work in and around Hannah.”

Isaac Hanna the Ministry Development Officer for Church Army in Ireland commented, “Hannah is the latest member of this growing and dynamic team, I am excited to see the next phase in this vital ministry. I wish her and the Centre of Mission every success.”

Support Hannah and the Sligo Centre of Mission

Donate now