Our Beginnings

Dundalk Baptist Church emerged from a small bible study group that started to meet in the Dundalk area in the late 1970s. It was constituted formally as a church with the assistance of Newry Baptist Church in February 1988. The initial membership was 8 individuals. 

​

A Home Of Our Own

In 1990, having grown to approximately twenty members, the church purchased the former Great Northern Railway working men's dining hall on Ardee Terrace as a permanent centre for worship and outreach.

​

Built around 1885 as part of the Great Northern Railway works, the building is recognised on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH Reg. No. 13900715) as being of regional importance for its architectural, historical, social and technical significance. It is also a protected structure on the Louth County Council record of protected structures. As one of the few surviving buildings associated with Dundalk’s rich railway heritage, we are grateful for the privilege of caring for this remarkable building while continuing its long tradition of serving the local community.

​

Over the years, the church has undertaken significant renovations and ongoing maintenance to preserve the character of the building while adapting it to meet the needs of a growing church family and the wider community.

​

Serving the Community

From the outset the church has sought to make a positive contribution to the community in a holistic way. As well as attending to the spiritual needs of its members and offering spiritual help to the wider community, we have provided a counselling ministry as part of our outreach. This service, which is offered free of charge, covers the usual areas of spiritual and emotional need.

​

​Today, the church is also the north east hub for Community Connect, a registered charity that provides practical support for vulnerable expectant mothers and families with young babies, continuing our desire to serve our neighbours in tangible ways.

 

Investing in Leadership

We recognise that the future health of our church is closely connected to faithful biblical leadership. To that end, we have developed a relationship with the Reformed Baptist Seminary in the United States for the training of future pastors and church leaders.

 

Our pastor, Michael Emadi, teaches with the Reformed Baptist Seminary & Coventant Baptist Theological Seminary, primarily through its online programmes. Our founding pastor, Stephen Murphy, and pastor Les Slye, are graduates and students of the Irish Baptist College and Reformed Baptist Seminary respectively.

 

A Diverse Family​

Our church family reflects the rich diversity of modern Ireland. With a congregation of approximately 50 people, we are blessed to worship alongside members from many different backgrounds and cultures.

As well as people from Ireland, our church family includes members from Nigeria, Angola, the United States, Croatia, India, Brazil, Lithuania, and South Africa. Together, we bring a wealth of cultures, languages, experiences, and traditions that enrich our worship, strengthen our fellowship, and reflect the inclusive love of Christ.

​

We celebrate the diversity within our congregation, united by one faith, one hope, and one Lord. Our differences are a gift, reminding us that God's family extends across every nation and that everyone is welcome.

​​​​