Annahilt, Ballinderry, Trinity Boardmills, Cargycreevy, First Dromara,
Second Dromara, Banbridge Road Dromore, First Dromore

Anahilt Presbyterian Church
 

Anahilt Presbyterian Church, built in 1889.

 

Rev. Gary Glasgow Minister	Rev. Scott Martin Minister Emeritus

Windmill Road, Anahilt.

Minister: Rev. Gary Glasgow
Telephone: 9268 2394
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Scott Martin

Sunday services:
Morning: 10.45am
Evening: 6.30pm

Presbyterian Church in Ireland Website:
www.presbyterianireland.org
 

Notice Board at Anahilt Presbyterian Church.

HISTORY

This congregation was sometimes called Hillsborough and the Rev. John McBroom settled here as the first minister.  He had been ordained in Portpatrick in 1656, deposed for non-conformity in 1662, and was installed here in 1663.  He died on 7^th July 1682 as appears from the tomb-stone still to be seen in Anahilt graveyard.  It is there stated that he was here twenty years. There were disputes about the boundary of the congregation and that of Lisburn.  In those days people had to go to the meeting house of the district and not to another at a greater distance, even if they greatly preferred the distant minister.

In 1697 ‘perambulators’ were appointed by the Synod of Ulster to settle this boundary issue, but in 1698 the people of Blaris asked to be rejoined to Lisburn,  “finding by experience their annexation to Hillsborough (as it was then called) to be extremely inconvenient”.

The next minister after Mr. McBroom, of whom there is any account, was Mr. James Ramsey, son of Rev. Gilbert Ramsey of Bangor, who had previously supplied Maghera and appears to have been ordained here short­ly after the Revolution of 1689. He was present at the Synod in June 1694 and died on 24^th February 1708.  Then came Mr. Charles Seaton (lic. Belfast) who was ordained here on 9^th December 1708.  His father, Rev. P. Seaton of Dyce in Scotland, had been forcibly deposed there and came over to Ireland.  The Rev. C. Seaton died in this charge on 27^th August 1737.  He was succeeded by Mr. Samuel Simms (lic. Monaghan) who was ordained here on 18^th June 1739 was called to Tullylish in November 1746, and who died on 14^th October 1768.

The Rev. John Semple of Ahoghill was installed on 7^th June 1749 and he became known by his controversy with the Seceders whose intrusion into certain areas provoked bitter resentment.  Mr. Semple's pamphlet, The Survey Impartially Examined, was written in reply to A Brief Survey which sought to justify these incursions, and it obtained a wide circulation.  He died here on 24^th March 1748.  A much longer ministry followed when Mr. Robert McClure (lic. Derry) was ordained on 29^th April 1760. After 42 years he was given an assistant and successor in the person of Mr. William Wright (lic. Bangor) on 24^th June 1802.  Mr. McClure died on 11^th May 1828.  Mr. Wright practiced as a physician, married a daughter of his predecessor, became Moderator of the General Synod in 1826 - 27, and after retiring in 1839 he died on 20^th August 1844.

Mr. Thomas Greer (lic. Coleraine), son of the minister of Dunboe, was ordained on 17^th January 1839, and had an even longer ministry.  It lasted till his death on 26^th March 1886.  Mr. Greer’s brother, Mr. McCurdy Greer, became M.P. for Co. Derry and a champion of tenant right.  Professor W. W. D. Thompson, M.D., Professor of Medicine at Queen^'s University, Belfast, was a grandson.

The Rev. Josias Mitchell of Drumlee was next installed on 27^th April 1887, and he was responsible for erecting a new church, a school, manse, a teacher’s and sexton’s residence, at a total cost of £4,000  (The church was built in 1889).  He retired from the ministry on 28^th July 1925 and died on 20^th April 1931.  Mr. Mitchell was followed by Rev. Hugh McKinty, formerly of Upper Cumber, on 3^rd March 1926.  He continued the structural improvements with electric lighting and a new organ in 1939, and an electric heating system in 1946.  Mr. McKinty died on 6^th February 1950.

The congregation then called Rev. David Joshua Irwin of Claggan.  He was installed on 5^th July 1950 and retired on 7^th July 1973.  New windows were installed in the church in 1955 and a new pipe organ in 1972.

Following upon Mr. Irwin’s retirement in 1973 the congregation was united with Drumlough on 1^st September 1974 and the Rev. John Scott Martin, minister of Drumlough, was installed in Anahilt on 12^th Sept. 1974, the first minister of the united charge.  The Anahilt manse was sold in 1975, a new Church Hall was opened in 1977, and the old Ballykeel-Ednagonnell School, which had been the Church Hall, was sold in the same year.  Mr. Irwin died on 15^th September 1978.  Mr. Martin retired on 31^st March 1997 and is now the Minister Emeritus of Anahilt and Drumlough.

The present minister, the Rev. Gary Glasgow, previously assistant in Abbot’s Cross was installed as minister of both Anahilt and Drumlough Presbyterian Churches on 2^nd September 1998 in Anahilt Presbyterian Church.  The sexton’s house was rebuilt in 2002.

Ballinderry Presbyterian Church

Rev. William Henry  Stated Supply Minister	Ballinderry Presbyterian Church.

Meeting House Road, Lisburn.

Stated Supply Minister: Rev. William Henry
Telephone: 9262 1269

Sunday services:
Morning: 10.00am

Presbyterian Church in Ireland Website:
www.presbyterianireland.org

 

Notice Board at Ballinderry Presbyterian Church.

HISTORY

The first settlement in this neighbourhood was at Glenavy.  In February 1672 the Presbytery of Antrim sent one of their number to examine what encouragement there was for the settlement of a minister.  In April Robert Scott and John Johnston appeared as commissioners at the Presbytery and they were recommended to build a meeting-house and manse.  In August the people obtained a hearing of Mr. Archibald Young (lic. Antrim) and they presented him with a call in the September following, promising to give him £30 per annum, and to provide him with a house and garden.  He proceeded with his second trials; but in May 1673 he had a call to Downpatrick, which the Presbytery permitted him to accept, and he removed there in June.

In September of the same year the people presented a call to Mr. Matthew Haltridge, which he accepted; and in February 1674 their commissioner, John Ferguson, promised for his support £25 per annum, with a sufficiency of turf and a manse.  With the exception of a visit to Cork in June and July, he continued to supply the congregation till December, when, the people having failed in their promises to him, the Presbytery freed him from the charge of this place.  He was afterwards settled in Ahoghill; and Glenavy was thus again left vacant.

In January 1683 Mr. David Airth, another Scot, is found settled in this parish, having been ordained here some time in the interval between 1675 and that date. His support being small and badly paid, he was declared transportable in August 1685; and in June 1694 he removed to a charge in Scotland.  The congregation was now long vacant.

The next minister, Mr. John Riddel (lic. Down) was ordained by the Presbytery of Belfast on 12^th March 1701.  In 1712 he was prosecuted as a non-juror.  In 1713 the congregation of Ballinderry, as it at present exists, was formed, part from Glenavy and some from Moira, while the greater part of Glenavy was incorporated into a later erection at Crumlin.  Mr. Riddel was still alive in 1728 and a minister without charge.  The commissioners from Ballinderry to the Synod were Arthur Maxwell, Esq., a great benefactor of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr. Ferguson and Thomas Beatty. Their first minister after their separation was Mr. John Hasty (lic. Belfast) who was ordained on 11^th July 1724.  He died while minister here on 6^th April 1743.

Mr. Clotworthy Brown (lic. Templepatrick), son of Rev. Alex. Brown of Donegore, was ordained here on 5^th February 1746, and was of the non-subscribing party.  He did not stay long, resigning on 4^th August 1747, but even his short stay prompted the organisation of the Secession cause in the neighbourhood (Magheragall).  He removed to Ballynure and was followed by Mr. William Rowan (lic. Killyleagh) who was ordained on 30^th October 1751.  He was disannexed from his charge for marrying people clandestinely who were not under his care, and resigned in July 1783 and died in 1795.  Mr. Robert Carlisle (lic. Belfast) was ordained in September 1784, and later relieved of his charge on 6^th May 1794 because of mental infirmity, and Mr. William Whitlaw (lic. Belfast) became his successor in August 1794.

After Mr. Whitlaw’s ministry of 32 years Mr. John Shaw (lic. Belfast) became his assistant and successor on 6^th February 1826.  He resigned when called to Ballynahinch on 10^th August 1831.  On 17^th April 1833 Mr. Henry Leebody (lic. Bangor) became assistant to the Rev. William Whitlaw who died on 11^th January 1836.  Mr. Leebody also obtained an assistant and Mr. James Meeke (lic. Belfast) was ordained on 24^th May 1877.  Mr. Leebody, whose son became Professor of Mathematics and later President of Magee College, Derry, died on 17^th May 1879.

After retiring from active duty on 15^th September 1927, Mr. Meeke died suddenly on 21^st September 1928.  The Union Commission then decided that Rev. Robert George McFarland, minister of Moira, should undertake the pastoral oversight of Ballinderry for a trial period of twelve months, with a view to possible union if it proved to be satisfactory.  The union came about and Mr. McFarland was installed in Ballinderry on 14^th March 1929.  He died on 26^th August 1937.

The second minister of this united charge Mr. William Leathem McCombe (lic. Glendermott) who was ordained in Moira and installed in Ballinderry on 24th March 1938.  He served as Chaplain in World War II and was Presbytery Clerk from 1950-76. A new Church Hall was erected at Ballinderry in the early 1950s and is known as the Stables Hall.  A new Church Hall was opened at Moira on 24th March 1973 to meet the needs of a growing community.  Mr. McCombe retired on 31st July 1977.  His successor, the Rev. Joseph Frederick Crawford, who had been a missionary in Jamaica, was installed on 11th January 1978.  A new Church Hall at Ballinderry was opened on 3rd March 1990 by the Very Rev. Dr. Godfrey Brown; and in 2000 a new extension was added, linking the new Church Hall to the Stables Hall.  The Rev. W. L. McCombe died on 2nd April 1982.  Mr. Crawford resigned on 5th October 2000 when called to Newtown and Bowden, Scotland.

Boardmills - Trinity Presbyterian Church
 

Rev. Tom Harte Minister	Trinity Presbyterian Church, Boardmills.

Church Road, Boardmills.

Minister: Rev. Tom Harte
Telephone: 9263 8271

Sunday services: 11.30am and 6.30pm

Presbyterian Church in Ireland Website:
www.presbyterianireland.org
 

Notice Board at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

HISTORY

In January 2002, First Boardmills, Second Boardmills and Killaney amalgamated to form Trinity Presbyterian Church.

BOARDMILLS: First

Boardmills was originally a Secession congregation established circa 1749 when the Rev. Andrew Black, formerly minister of Cumbernauld, was installed on 22^nd June 1749.  He was present at the formation of the first Burgher Presbytery constituted in Ireland, and was one of its members.  Mr. Black assisted in the establishment of Secession congregations at Ballynahinch, Loughaghery and Lissara.  He died at Boardmills on 6^th July 1782.  He was succeeded by Mr. Joseph Longmore (lic. Monaghan) who was, according to W. T. Latimer, ordained in 1779.  In 1802 the present Church was built, and a few months before his decease Mr. Longmore secured the Manse Farm for the future use of the congregation.  He died on 10^th October 1809, at a time when the distribution of the Regium Donum, according to a scheme of classification, caused great dissension among Seceders.  On this matter the congregation at Boardmills was divided.  Those who favoured their minister taking the revised grant wanted Mr. John Sturgeon, son of the Rev. John Sturgeon of Ballynahinch and Lissara, as minister, and a call to him was signed by 138 persons, with 91 members dissenting. Mr. Sturgeon was ordained on 31^st July 1810.

The name of the congregation until 1815 was Killaney, occasionally Boardmills, but the latter name was then established, probably owing to its registration as the name of the congregation in receipt of a government grant. Mr. Sturgeon died on 22^nd December 1840.  During his ministry the party opposed to the Regium Donum seceded and formed the congregation of Second Boardmills.  He was succeeded by Mr. George Hay Shanks (lic. Down 1839) who was ordained on 13^th October 1840.  He was a great friend of the 1859 Revival and much used at that time.  He retired in 1889 and died on 18^th December 1893.  An advocate of the Temperance cause, it was largely owing to Mr. Shanks that the congregation was one of the earliest to use unfermented wine at Communion.

He was succeeded by Mr. John Lindsay McCandless (lic. Letterkenny 1889) who was ordained on 30^th October 1889.  In 1926 the congregation received the gift of a spacious hall from Mr. John McKee, New York, a former member.  Like his predecessor, Mr. McCandless was an ardent Temperance advocate, and from 1909-14 he was head of the Good Templar Order in Ireland.  He died on 24^th June 1933.  He was succeeded by Mr. Walter Kerr (lic. Letterkenny 1932) who was ordained on 29^th November 1933.  In 1937 two rooms were added to the Church building for minister and choir.  A faithful pastor and a valued Presbytery Clerk, Mr. Kerr had a long ministry here.  During that time a new pulpit and stained glass windows were put in the Church; a new reading desk, choir seats and baptismal font were also installed. The McKee Hall was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1951. Mr. Kerr retired on 30^th November 1973.

The average length of active service of these six ministers of this congregation has been 37 years, a truly remarkable and unusual feature.  After Mr. Kerr’s retirement and the translation of the Rev. William Trevor Coburn, minister of Second Boardmills and Killaney, to Cookstown (Molesworth Street) these two congregations were united with First Boardmills under Rev. George Simpson.

BOARDMILLS: Second

When the minister of Boardmills, the Rev. John Sturgeon, signified his intention of accepting the classified Regium Donum those members of the congregation who were opposed to this action formed a congregation and sent a petition to the Glasgow Presbytery of the Original Secession (Old Light Burgher) Synod on 3^rd November 1811, asking for “supply of sermon”.  The petition was granted and ministers were sent over periodically.  After some years a call was made out to Mr. John Shaw, a member of the congregation, and he was ordained on 18^th March 1816.  A church building had been erected in 1812, with the inscription above the entrance “For Christ’s Free Men”.  Mr. Shaw died of a fever on 23^rd May 1825, aged 37 years.  He was succeeded by Mr. John Downes, a native of Falkirk.  Mr. Downes had several calls at the same time and the Synod decided that he should accept the call to Boardmills.  This he did on 10^th May 1826.  On 7^th July 1851 Mr. Downes and the congregation applied to the Belfast Presbytery to be received by the General Assembly.  A year later the General Assembly sanctioned their admission.  Four years later Mr. Downes received a call to Hobart, Tasmania, and resigned the congregation on 7^th August 1855.  He was succeeded by Mr. Alexander Dobbin (lic. Belfast) who was ordained on 27^th December 1855.  During his long ministry a manse was built in 1892, and the Church renovated in 1880 and in 1901.  He retired from active duties of the ministry in September 1903 and died on 8^th September 1909.  “He never seemed to grow old.  He was always mighty in the Scriptures”.  He was succeeded by his son, Mr. John Wilson Dobbin, who was ordained on 26^th November 1903.  He resigned on 14^th February 1907 to accept a call from Houghton-le-Spring, Co. Durham.

Another long ministry began when Mr. Robert Kelso (lic. Letterkenny) was ordained on 31^st October 1907.  He served as an Army Chaplain in World War I from 1916-1919, during which time the congregation was looked after by Rev. R. W. Dodds of the Kinghan Mission and Rev. Dr. R. H. Beattie, a retired Army Chaplain.  In 1924 a deputation from Killaney Secession Church asked him to become minister of a proposed united charge of Killaney and his own Church.  He agreed and in June 1925 the Rev. John Moody, minister of Killaney and his congregation were received into the General Assembly.  Mr. Moody resigned on 30^th July 1925 and Mr. Kelso was installed as his successor.  Mr. Moody died on 3^rd December 1926.

BOARDMILLS:  Second and KILLANEY

The Rev. Robert Kelso, by being installed in Killaney, became the first minister of this new union of Killaney and Second Boardmills, which was instituted on 30^th July 1925.  He died on 16^th June 1950.  He was followed by Mr. Frederick Allen Pickering (lic. Belfast) who was ordained on 21^st February 1951.  His was a brief ministry during which many alterations and repairs were carried out to the Church property.  He resigned on 18^th May 1957 and was called to Conn and Mount Forrest congregations of the Sangeen Presbytery, Canada, on 1^st October 1957.

The next call was to Mr. Arthur Harold Graham (lic. Ballymena) and he was ordained on 17^th October 1957.  From the first Mr. Graham developed his gifts as an evangelist and held special services for his brethren in many places.  The Church was extensively renovated at this time and new windows were installed in the entire building.  He was called to Gt. Victoria St., Belfast, on 5^th February 1964, and was followed by Rev. William Trevor Coburn (lic. Belfast 1961) who had been ordained assistant in Whitehouse on 23^rd May 1962.  He was installed here on 2^nd September 1964.  He too effected property changes, having a new minister's room and choir room added.  After ten years on 20^th March 1974 he accepted a call from Molesworth congregation, Cookstown, and the vacancy that followed led to the happy re-union of three congregations, First Boardmills, Killaney and Second Boardmills.

BOARDMILLS:  First and Second and KILLANEY

These congregations came together on 1^st May 1974 and the first minister called was Rev. George David Simpson (lic. North Belfast 1973) who had been ordained assistant minister of Joymount, Carrickfergus, on 30^th December 1973.  He was installed here on 27^th February 1975.  He resigned when called to Dunlop Memorial Belfast on 31^st Jan. 1978 and was followed by Rev. William Caughey of Ramoan who was installed on 1^st September 1978 and resigned in August 1984 when called to Carrigart, Co. Donegal.

BOARDMILLS:  Trinity Presbyterian Church

Mr. Caughy’s successor, the Rev. Kenneth McConnell, formerly minister of Second Comber Presbyterian Church was installed as minister of First Boardmills, Second Boardmills and Killaney on 19^th April 1991 and resigned in October 2000 when called to Oldpark Presbyterian Church, Belfast.  The Rev. Drew Abernethy, was appointed Convenor of the Vacancy and in January 2002 the congregations of First Boardmills, Second Boardmills and Killaney amalgamated to form Trinity Presbyterian Church, Boardmills and now meet for worship in the church formerly known as First Boardmills.  Both Second Boardmills Church and Killaney Church are now closed.

The present minister, the Rev. Tom Harte, previously in Crumlin Road Presbyterian Church, Belfast was installed on 22^nd March 2002 as minister of the amalgamated congregations now known as Trinity Presbyterian Church.

A history of First and Second Boardmills and Killaney Presbyterian Churches is shown on this web site:
Click on: "The Church in the Rolling Hills" Two Hundred and Fifty Years 1748-1998.

A history of Second Boardmills Church by Aiken McClelland (1963) is shown on this web site:
Click on: Second Boardmills Presbyterian Church 1813 - 1963

Cargycreevy Presbyterian Church
 

Cargycreevy Presbyterian Church, built in 1847.

Rev Leslie Patterson Minister	Rev. David McConaghy Minister Emeritus

Old Ballynahinch Road, Lisburn.

Minister: Rev Leslie Patterson
Telephone: 079 77 039769

Minister Emeritus: Rev. David McConaghy

Sunday services: 12.30pm

Presbyterian Church in Ireland Website:
www.presbyterianireland.org

Cargycreevy Presbyterian Church choir pictured at the Harvest Thanksgiving Service on Sunday 28th October 2007. L to R: (seated) Heather McConaghy, Patricia Patterson, Beth Bell (pianist), Rev Leslie Patterson, Vera Crawford (organist), Lillian Campbell, Margaret Todd and Mary Marks. (back row) Alison Magill, Christine Petticrew, Janet Wilson, Ella McLoughlin, Hazel Maitland, Elaine Crawford and Christine McConaghy.

Notice Board at Cargycreevy Presbyterian Church.

HISTORY

Because it was too far for the people of the Cargycreevy district to walk to the neighbouring churches, the Presbytery of Dromore agreed on 20^th November 1845 to establish a congregation there and the meeting house was built in 1847. The first minister, Rev. Robert Scott Erwin, was born in Ballynahinch and was a licentiate of the Down Presbytery.  He was installed here on 7^th June 1846 when the services were held in a field not far from the present site.  History shows that there was such a rush to be the first couple married in the new church, that the first wedding ceremony took place on Boxing Day 1847 before the roof was fitted.  Mr. Erwin died on 16^th February 1887.  The Erwin family retained a real interest in the congregation and it has benefited considerably from their generosity over the years, a gift of £500 having been received as recently as 1973 from Miss Meryl Erwin, Australia, a great grand-daughter of the first minister.  Mr. Erwin was succeeded by Mr. Robert Wilson (lic. Derry) ordained on 14^th September 1887.  The manse was built at this time by the same builders who had just completed one at Anahilt.  Mr. Wilson resigned on 19^th December 1893 when he was called to the India Mission Field. Ill-health made it impossible for him to stay there and he returned in 1922 to minister at Kilkenny and at Caledon.  He died on 8^th June 1931.

The third minister of the Church was Mr. Samuel Murray (lic. Rathfriland).  He was born at Ballyroney and was ordained here on 9^th May 1894.  His entire ministry was spent at Cargycreevy and he built up a fine congregation.

Mr. Murray died on 4^th February 1926 and was succeeded on 26^th August 1926 by Rev. William Howard Colvin whose father was minister of Connor, Co. Antrim.  He was called to Cargycreevy from Tassagh and Armaghbrague, Co. Armagh. Mrs. Colvin’s father, Rev. Joseph McKinstry, was the minister of the Old Congregation, Randalstown.  It was during Mr. Colvin's ministry that the Church Hall was built. It was opened in September 1955 and was named the Petticrew Hall after Mr. Hans Petticrew.  Mr. Colvin retired on 1^st October 1957 and died on 11^th April 1959.

Mr. Thomas Samuel Reid (lic. Belfast) was ordained in Cargycreevy on 17^th September 1958 and resigned on 15^th April 1964 to go to Gilnahirk.

Rev. Richard Diffin, who succeeded Mr. Reid, was installed on 25^th May 1965.  He had been brought up in the Shankill Road Mission and ordained by the Colonial and Commonwealth Mission for work in Queensland.  During his ministry of five years rooms for the Minister and Choir were added to the Church, and Memorial windows were installed. Mr. Diffin resigned his charge here on 31^st August 1970 and returned to Australia.

During part of the vacancy which followed, Rev. Andrew Crooks, minister of Loughaghery, was appointed as stated supply in Cargycreevy, and remained in this position for a few months until his retirement in June 1971.  After this, negotiations were successfully concluded for a union with Loughaghery.

In the year 1971 Cargycreevy and Loughaghery congregations were happily and harmoniously united and on 23^rd February 1972, the Rev. David McConaghy was installed as the first minister of the united charge.  He was brought up in the congregation of Toberkeigh, near Bushmills, and served as a missionary with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian from 1963-1971.  Mr. McConaghy retired on 30^th April 2002 and is now the Minister Emeritus of Cargycreevy and Loughaghery. During Mr. McConaghy’s ministry a new kitchen and committee room were added to the Church Hall in 1995.

Mr McConaghy retired on 30th April 2002 and is now the Minister Emeritus of Loughaghery and Cargycreevy. During a long vacancy, the Convenors of the vacancy in turn were - the Rev. David Porter, minister of Second Dromara (May 2002 - May 2003), the Rev. Gary Glasgow, Minister of Anahilt and Drumlough (June 2003 to January 2005) and the Rev Dr Bert Tosh, Senior Producer, Religious Programmes - BBC (February 2005 - October 2007).

The present minister, the Rev Leslie Patterson, formerly assistant minister of McQuiston Memorial Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of East Belfast, was ordained and installed as minister of the united charge at a Service of Installation in Loughaghery Presbyterian Church on Friday 19th October 2007.

Dromara - First Dromara Presbyterian Church
 

Rev. Shaw Thompson	First Dromara Presbyterian Church, built in 1826.

Rathfriland Road, Dromara.

Minister: Rev. Shaw Thompson
Telephone: 9753 3023

Sunday services:
Morning: 12noon
Evening: 6.45pm
No evening service during July and August.

Presbyterian Church in Ireland Website:
www.presbyterianireland.org
 

Notice Board at First Dromara Presbyterian Church.

HISTORY

This congregation was originally part of Dromore.  In 1713 the Synod of Ulster made it a separate congregation, annexing to it the townlands of Tullyniskey, Enock, Fedoney and Carnew, belonging to Magherally; and Kinallen, Leppock and the upper half of Ballykeel, belonging to Dromore congregation.

The first minister was Mr. John Campbell (lic. Armagh) who was ordained by the Presbytery of Armagh on 13^th December 1715.  He died here on 3^rd June 1724 and was succeeded by Mr. John King (lic. St. Andrew's) who had been received by the Synod in 1719.  He was ordained here on 14^th December 1726 and died after a ministry of 30 years on 9^th November 1762.

The third minister was Mr. James Jackson Birch (lic. Dromore), ordained on 12^th August 1764.  His stay was very long and when he became infirm his grandson, James Birch Black (lic. Dromore), was ordained as his successor on 30^th July 1816.  Mr. Birch, Sen., died on 10^th November 1820 and his grandson was suspended for drunkenness on 13^th May 1823.  He died on 3^rd October 1823.  He was replaced by Rev. William Craig of Carnmoney who was installed on 26^th December 1823.  During his ministry, the church was built in 1826.  Mr. Craig died on 22^nd December 1871 and the congregation was much disturbed by disputes as to his successor.  In the end there was a large secession to the Reformed Presbyterians who illegally took possession of the meeting-house and held it until legal proceedings made them give it up.

A long vacancy followed before Rev. William Shepherd of Stewartstown (2nd) was installed on 23^rd September 1874.  He removed to Ballyroney where he was installed on 27^th April 1880, and Rev. John Richard McCleery of Cootehill was settled here on 27^th September 1880.  He was not long here until he was called to Killyleagh (1st) where he was installed on 7^th August 1883.

The sixth minister was Mr. Edward Ekin (lic. Tyrone), ordained 26^th March 1884.  It was said of Mr. Ekin that “his preaching was intense with a passion for souls”.  After nine years he resigned on 26^th July 1892 when he was called to Coagh.  He was followed by Mr. William Martin (lic. Limavady) whose ordination took place on 22^nd March 1893 and whose ministry was shorter still.  He resigned on receiving a call to Second Randalstown on 8^th October 1895 to be followed by Mr. William George Glasgow (lic. Tyrone) on 25^th February 1896. Mr.  Glasgow died in this charge on 25^th January 1918. 

Mr. Franklin Sidney King Jamison (lic. Newry) was the congregation’s next choice and after his ordination on 19 July 1918 he remained here till his death on 5^th September 1942.  He was followed by Mr. William Wilson (lic. Belfast) whose ordination was on 18^th February 1943.  Owing to ill-health he had to retire on 30^th September 1959 and his successor was Mr. Ronald Joseph Wilson (lic. Belfast).  Ordained on 3^rd March 1960 he removed to Portstewart on 6^th December 1967.

The Rev. Andrew Peden McComb, minister of the Church Extension charge of Craigavon, was then called and installed on 14^th November 1968.  Extensive property renovations took place during his early years and a new church hall was built in 1974.  Mr. McComb became Convener of the General Assembly's Committee on Divine Healing and retired from the active ministry on 30^th September 1981.  The gallery of this church was adapted for use as a local History Gallery in 1980.  Mr. McComb retired from First Dromara in 1981 and died in 13^th October 2003.  His successor, the Rev. Frank McKeown, formerly Assistant Minister at Rathcoole Presbyterian Church, was installed in 1982 and resigned on 7^th December 1987 when called to Second Newtownards Presbyterian Church. 

The present minister, the Rev. Shaw Thompson, who was ordained in Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church, Newtownards on 1^st February 1987, was installed at First Dromara on 14^th April 1989.  During Mr. Thompson’s ministry the church has witnessed a growth of 50%.  A new manse was built in 1991, and in 1994 the meetinghouse was renovated, carpeted and new heating and electrical fittings installed.  A new hall and adjoining suite of rooms were opened on 1^st July 2000 and a new car park added in 2003.

Short History of First Dromara Presbyterian Church (Published in the Dromore Leader on Wednesday 13th December 2006)

First Dromara congregation was originally part of Dromore. In 1713 the Synod of Ulster made it a separate congregation, annexing to it the townlands of Tullyniskey, Enock, Fedoney and Carnew, belonging to Magherally; and Kinallen, Leppock and the upper half of Ballykeel, belonging to Dromore congregation. The first minister, the Rev John Campbell, was ordained in December 1715. Mr Campbell was succeeded in turn by Rev John King (1726-1762), James Jackson Birch (1764-1816) and James Birch Black (1816-1823).

There is no information as to where the early ministers lived. The first manse that can be traced with certainty is Marybrook Farm, which the Rev James Jackson Birch purchased in November 1795 for £300.

The fifth minister, the Rev William Craig was installed in December 1823. When he went to Dromara the congregation, then one of the largest and richest in connection with the Synod of Ulster, worshipped in an old thatched church. The present Meeting House was built in 1826 at a total cost of £2,035. The largest contributor was the Rev William Craig who “forgave” stipend to the extent of £272 - more than three years income. The old meetinghouse and session-house was sold for £68. After leaving the manse at Marybrook, Mr Craig moved to Pine Hill where he lived until a manse was built at Tullyniskey in 1858 at a cost of £600.

Mr Craig died in December 1871 and the congregation was much disturbed by disputes as to his successor. The minority of the congregation, backed by the General Assembly wanted an immediate settlement. A majority party however, wanted to wait until a student called William Wilson had completed his studies and was available for a call in 1873. They took possession of the church, during which time the minority party held services in a barn granted by Joseph Bell of Bellfield.

In February 1874 the majority party held a meeting at which resolutions were passed renouncing their connection with the General Assembly and expressing their desire to be received into the Reformed Presbyterian Church. On the advice of the Presbytery they decided to withdraw from First Dromara Church building in May 1874 and worshipped in the open air during the Sabbaths of June. A wooden hall, erected in a plot of ground across the road from the church, was opened in July 1874. Their first minister, the Rev Torrens Boyd was installed in February 1875 and the present Reformed Presbyterian Church was opened in February 1877.

As a result of the split, First Dromara congregation was reduced to only 55 families. The sixth minister, the Rev William Shepherd was installed in September 1874. He left in April 1880 and was succeeded in turn by the Rev John Richard McCleery (1880-1883), Rev Edward Ekin (1884-1892), Rev William Martin (1893-1895), Rev William George Glasgow (1896-1918), Rev Franklin Sidney King Jamison (1918-1942), Rev William Wilson (1943-1959) and Rev Ronald Joseph Wilson (1960-1967). During the early years of the Rev Andrew Peden McComb (1968-1981) extensive property renovations took place; a new church hall was built in 1974 and the gallery of the church was adapted for use as a local History Gallery in 1980. Mr McComb was followed by the Rev Frank McKeown (1982-1987).

The present minister, the Rev Shaw Thompson was installed in April 1989 and during his ministry the church has witnessed a growth of 50%. The 1858 manse at Tullyniskey, now a listed building, was sold in July 1989 and a new manse was opened in December 1990. In 1994 the Meeting House was renovated, carpeted and new heating and electrical fittings installed. A new hall and adjoining suite of rooms were opened in July 2000 and a new car park added in 2003.

The above short history was compiled with the assistance of the Rev Shaw Thompson and the Rev Prof Robert McCollum from a book entitled ‘A History of Congregations in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’ and a booklet entitled ‘1st Dromara Presbyterian Church 1713-1963’ by Aiken McClelland.
 

Dromara - Second Dromara Presbyterian Church
 

Rev. David Porter Minister	Second Dromara Presbyterian Church.

Second Dromara Presbyterian Church elders: L to R: (seated) Rev David Porter, Denis Easton, Les Carson and Edwin Kinghan. (back row) Richard Kernoghan, Herbert Chambers, Allan Marshall and Wilby Hanna.

Second Dromara Presbyterian Church Choir

Begney Hill Road, Dromara.

Minister: Rev. David Porter
Telephone: 9753 2203

Sunday services:
Morning: 11.30am
July and August: 11.00am.
Evening Service as announced.

Presbyterian Church in Ireland Website:
www.presbyterianireland.org
 

Notice Board at Second Dromara Presbyterian Church.

HISTORY

This congregation was established to meet the needs of many Presbyterians who were unable to attend the First Congregation by reason of distance.  The first minister was Mr. John Murdoch (lic. Down 1844).  He was ordained here on 31^st March 1845 and on 17^th November 1852 he was suspended and disannexed from his congregation for intemperance.  He emigrated to the U.S.A.  He was followed by a man who bore a name that was to be a household one all over Ulster, Mr. William John Patton (lic. Ards).  He was ordained here on 29^th June 1853 and had a long and fruitful evangelical ministry of over 41 years until his death on 31^st January 1895.  His voice continued to be heard in two books, which had a very wide circulation, “Pardon and Assurance” and “How to Live the Christian Life”.

The ministry of Mr. John Logan (lic. Dublin), ordained on 30^th August 1895, saw extensive renovations carried out to church property.  He resigned on 13^th August 1907 when called to Naas.  Mr. William John Gregg (lic. Ards) who followed, was ordained on 21^st February 1908 after having been minister in Albertbridge Road Congregational Church, Belfast, for some years.  He resigned from Second Dromara on 2^nd May 1921 and was for six years in New Zealand.  He returned and was installed on 28^th June 1927 in Argyle Place, Belfast.

The fifth minister to be called was Mr. Samuel Gibson McConnell (lic. Belfast) who was ordained on 19^th October 1921.  His ministry here ended with his removal to Castlecaulfield on 10^th April 1933.  He put the entire Presbyterian Church in his debt with his painstaking revision of his father’s Fasti of the Irish Presbyterian Church 1613-1840   The minister who followed was Mr. John Henry Whyte (lic. Ahoghill) who was ordained on 2^nd October 1946 and who resigned to go to Cookstown (Molesworth) on 19^th November 1952.  His successor was Mr. Ernest Edward Hamilton Porter (lic. Armagh) who was ordained on 25^th March 1953 and who after ten years accepted a call to First Broughshane on 13^th August 1963.

The eighth minister was Mr. James Oscar Bridgett (lic. Ards) whose stay was short.  After three years, ordained on 29^th January 1964, he resigned on 29^th November 1967 on a call to First Kilrea.  The Rev. James Johnston of Newtownstewart was then called and installed on 28^th November 1968.  During his ministry a new manse was built.  Mr. Johnston resigned on being called to the united congregations of Carnlough and Cushendall and was installed there on 6^th October 1978.

The congregation’s choice then fell on Rev. Robert James Mattison (lic. Dromore) who had been ordained as assistant under the Home Mission in Pomeroy on 12^th December 1978.  He was installed in Second Dromara on 29^th February 1981.  Mr. Mattison resigned in 1991 to take up the position of Presbyterian Chaplain at the Maze Prison and was succeeded by the Rev. William Lee Elliott who was installed here in December 1991.  Mr. Elliott resigned in September 1996 and later became minister of Richill Evangelical Presbyterian Church. 

The Convenor of the Vacancy for over 4 years was the Rev David Knox, minister of Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church, Lambeg.  From November 1998 to December 2000, the Stated Supply minister was the Rev. Douglas Armstrong, who had retired as minister of Greenisland Presbyterian Church.

The present minister, the Rev. David Porter, previously minister of Movilla Church Extension Charge, Newtownards, was installed in Second Dromara on 3^rd January 2001. During his ministry the attractive but uncomfortable box pews were replaced, the floor replaced, heating and lighting upgraded and the interior doors were increased in height by 9 inches to facilitate funeral arrangements. To improve visibility in the gallery area the angle of the gallery was increased and the wooden panelling at the front of the gallery was replaced with glass panelling. A powerpoint video projection system was installed and the sound system upgraded. The work was completed at a cost of just £168,000 due to voluntary labour in removing the old pews and flooring etc. The church was re-opened for worship on Good Friday 6th April 2007 and the first Sunday service held on the 8th April. A re-opening and Dedication Service was held on Wednesday 9th May2007. The Rev David Porter led the service and the Moderator of the General Assembly the Right Rev Dr David Clarke dedicated the Church and memorial gifts of thirty pews and a new door.

Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church, Dromore
 

Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church, Dromore, built in 1841 and renovated in 1954.

 

Rev. Gary Trueman Minister	Dr Lena Morrow Pastoral Assistant

Banbridge Road, Dromore.

Minister: Rev. Gary Trueman
Telephone: 9269 3724

Sunday Worship:
Morning: 11.30am
Evening: 7.00pm

Website: www.banroad.com
 

Notice Board at Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church, Dromore.

HISTORY

A deputation of local people waited on the Secession Synod on 11^th October 1836 asking for services to be arranged.  This was done and the Seneschal of the time gave the use of the Court House.  In December the Presbytery were informed that the Bishop had forbidden its further use and the Reformed Presbyterians accommodated the new congregation.  A committee of Presbytery took charge and in July 1837 a site was sought and ultimately promised, but it was not available until May 1838.  In the interval £100 was raised and building started on 22^nd August 1838.  Progress was slow.  Money was insufficient and the Presbytery had to come to the rescue.  The cause was weak and lacking enthusiasm, and even in July 1840 at the union of the Synods it was still unfinished.  The united Church body decided to pursue with the idea of a separate congregation and the meeting-house was completed, and on 7^th March 1843 the first minister was called.  There had been a Rev. John Allen working here at the start and old newspapers indicate him as the first minister.  Whatever his status, he resigned in 1843 and Mr. John McKee (lic. Dromore) was ordained on 7^th March 1843.

During Mr. McKee’s ministry the manse on the present site was built, on ground provided by the McKee family.  The first manse had been in Princes Street in the town.  Mr. McKee died on 7^th December 1877 and was succeeded on 31^st May 1878 by the Rev. James Rentoul formerly of Clough, Co. Antrim.  He died after a long ministry on 2^nd January 1917.

The next minister called was Mr. William John McMullan (lic. Rathfriland), ordained on 1 Mar. 1917.  He saw some service as a Chaplain in World War I, but he was killed in a road accident on 30^th January1920, aged 28, after he had been demobilized.  He was followed by Mr. George Francis McQuitty (lic. Ballymena) who was installed on 27^th May 1920.  He was called to First Newtownards and resigned on 4^th November 1924.

The congregation then called Rev. William Bates of Grange and he was installed on 26^th March 1925.  He remained five years, resigned on 24^th June 1930 when called to Faughanvale.  The Rev. Thomas Bole of Sixmilecross was installed on 20^th November 1930, but after only eighteen months he removed to Donore, Dublin, on 5^th May 1932.  During his short ministry the Church Hall was built on ground purchased by Rev. James Rentoul.  A Ballymena licentiate, Mr. Herbert Mulholland, was his successor. Ordained on 29^th September 1932, he was later to resign on 25^th October 1945 when called by the Moseley Presbyterian congregation in Birmingham.  Then on 4^th April 1946 Mr. Hugh Robert Cecil Moore (lic. Belfast) was ordained and many structural improvements have taken place in his time.  The meeting-house was completely renovated in 1954.  A Minor Hall was added in 1961 and the Church Hall was extended in 1970.  Mr. Moore retired in 1984 and died on 14th January 1999.  Mr. Moore’s successor, the Rev. Alex William Boyd was installed in March 1985 and resigned in February 1998 when called to Ballyhenry.  The present minister, the Rev. Gary Trueman, formerly of 2^nd and 3^rd Rathfriland, was installed in Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church in October 1998.  During his ministry major renovations were carried out and a new hall complex was opened in June 2003.  The Rev Scott Martin, Minister Emeritus of Anahilt and Drumlough, retired from the united charge in March 1997. He was appointed Pastoral Assistant at Banbridge Road in October 1999 and left at the end of August 2006. Raymond McKibben, a second year ministry student at Union Theological College in Belfast, has been Summer Assistant at Banbridge Road since the middle of June and will leave on Sunday 17th September to continue his studies.

Dr Lena Morrow, a member of Kilmakee Presbyterian Church (Dunmurry) was appointed Pastoral Assistant at Banbridge Road in January 2007. A medical doctor by profession, Lena and her husband Merrill were missionaries with Interserve in the Middle East from 1987 to 1994 and since 1995 Lena has worked at Belfast Bible College where her duties included Director of Spiritual Development, Tutor and Student Counsellor.

The following brief history was compiled for an article in the Dromore Leader.

In October 1836 a deputation of about 25 local people approached the Secession Synod requesting that a second Presbyterian church be established in the town of Dromore.  This was granted and services were initially held in the Court House.  In December, use of the Court House was discontinued and it would seem that the Reformed Presbyterians (Covenanters), who held services on occasions in a hall in the town, accommodated the new congregation.  The united Church body decided to proceed with the idea of a separate congregation.  In August 1838 work commenced on the present church building.  Money was not forthcoming and progress was slow.  The Presbytery had to come to the rescue and by 1841 the church had been built.  In March 1843, the Rev John McKee was ordained and installed as the first minister of the congregation of Second Dromore as it was then known.  In the early years of his ministry Mr McKee lived in a house in Princes Street, now No. 17.  In those days it was a detached house but later it became part of the terrace.  In 1850, a manse was built at Ballymacormick on land owned by the McKee family.  During the short ministry of the Rev Thomas Bole (1930-1932), a church hall was built.  During the ministry of the Rev Hugh Moore, (1946-1984) the Church was completely renovated in 1954, a Minor Hall was added in 1961 and the Church Hall was extended in 1970.  In March 1984 building work commenced on the present manse and it was ready by the time the Rev Alec Boyd was installed.  During Mr Boyd’s ministry (1985-1998) the Church was re-roofed, rewired, recarpeted, pews upholstered and a PA system installed.

The present minister, the Rev Gary Trueman, was installed in October 1998 and during his ministry major renovations have been carried out and a new hall complex opened in June 2003. The Rev Scott Martin, Minister Emeritus of Anahilt and Drumlough, retired from the united charge in March 1997. He was appointed Pastoral Assistant at Banbridge Road in October 1999 and left at the end of August 2006. Raymond McKibben, a second year ministry student at Union Theological College, was appointed Summer Assistant in June and left on Sunday 17th September 2006 to continue his studies.

Dr Lena Morrow, a member of Kilmakee Presbyterian Church (Dunmurry) was appointed Pastoral Assistant at Banbridge Road in January 2007. A medical doctor by profession, Lena and her husband Merrill were missionaries with Interserve in the Middle East from 1987 to 1994 and since 1995 Lena has worked at Belfast Bible College where her duties included Director of Spiritual Development, Tutor and Student Counsellor.

This article was compiled largely with the assistance of Dr Robin Coulter, a former member of Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church, now living in Lisburn.Much of the information was taken from the Rev Hugh Moore’s book entitled, ‘Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church Dromore – A Place of Worship’. To see the book online, go to the ‘Books’ section of www.lisburn.com and click on: Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church Dromore. 'A Place of Worship' .

First Dromore Presbyterian Church
 

First Dromore Presbyterian Church, completed in 1915.	Notice Board at First Dromore Presbyterian Church.

Meeting Street, Dromore.

Minister: Rev. Keith Duddy
Telephone: 9269 2271

Sabbath Services:
Morning: 11.30am
Evening: 6.00pm

Website: www.firstdromorepc.org.uk

HISTORY

It appears that the earliest minister of Dromore was Mr. Henry Hunter, a Scotsman (lic. Down), who was ordained circa May 1660, suspended in 1661 and died in 1674.  Rev. William Leggat next settled here.  He was licensed by the Presbytery of Down in 1670, and having been ordained in Drum in 1671 he was called to Dromore O.C. and installed in 1675 to the charge of that congregation.  At the Revolution he retired for some time to Scotland; but in 1691 he returned here.  He was Moderator of the Synod of Ulster in 1693, but absent from it in 1694.  The congregation was vacant in 1697, but whether in consequence of the death of Mr. Leggat or his removal to Scotland, is not known. The next minister was Mr. Alexander Colville (lic. Cupar) who was ordained in Newtownards on 26^th July 1696 and installed here in 1700.  He died on 1^st December 1719.  In 1724 the majority of the congregation by their commissioners, Messrs. Robert Hamilton and Thomas Ingram, supplicated the Synod to be annexed to the Presbytery of Down; and a minority by their commissioner, Mr. John Magill, supplicated to be continued with the Presbytery of Armagh.  The Synod annexed them to Down.  The subscription controversy had now commenced and this congregation felt the effects of it.  In 1724 Mr. Alexander Colville (or Colvil), son of the preceding minister, being refused ordination by the Presbytery because he refused to subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith, repaired to London, and was ordained there in Dr. Calamy’s vestry in December 1724.  On 25^th October 1725 he was irregularly installed in Dromore by the Synod of Munster.  For this he was suspended by the Synod of Ulster, and many of the people withdrew from his ministry and formed another congregation in Dromore.  Mr. Colvil Jun. became an M.D.(Edin.) in 1728 and joined the Presbytery of Antrim in 1730.  He died on 23^rd April 1777.

The first minister of the congregation so formed was Mr. James Allen (lic. Armagh) who was ordained here by the Presbytery of Armagh on 18 May 1726.  He appears to have demitted this charge about 1752.  He was succeeded by Mr. William Henry (lic. Dromore) who was ordained here on 1^st May 1753.  Mr. Allen died on 14^th January 1764.  Mr. Henry, who was grandfather of Dr. P. S. Henry, President of Queen's College, Belfast, resigned this charge and removed to Comber, Co. Down, in 1776.  He was succeeded by Mr. John Cochrane (lic. Ballymena) who was ordained here by the Presbytery of Dromore on 5^th May 1777.  He died on 8^th September 1779.  He was followed by Mr. James Waddle, (or Waddell), a Dromore licentiate who was ordained on 3^rd August 1784.  He died in this charge on 12^th July 1815 and was succeeded by Mr. James Collins (lic. Tyrone) whose ordination took place on 17^th September 1816.  After over forty years Mr. Collins obtained an assistant and successor.  He was Mr. Jackson Smyth (lic. Route) who was ordained on 20 Jan. 1857. Some time later Mr. Smyth (he received a D.D. afterwards) was called to First Armagh and on 27^th March 1860 Mr. James Kirker Strain (lic. Belfast) was ordained in Dromore.  Mr. Collins died on 19^th December 1863.

The Rev. J. K. Strain was awarded an LL.D. from the Royal University of Ireland in 1885 and after forty active years he died on 28^th December 1907.  An Ahoghill licentiate, Mr. John Carson Greer, was then settled but only for three years.  He then accepted a call to Strand Church, Londonderry, on 1^st October 1912.  His successor, Mr. Thomas Doey (lic. Tyrone) was ordained on 13^th February 1913 and under his guidance the present fine meeting house was built in 1915.  He was called to Coleraine, New Row congregation on 2^nd September 1918.

The thirteenth minister of First Dromore was Rev. Andrew Thompson, formerly of Tobermore, and he was installed on 6^th March 1919.  He retired on 30^th Nov. 1951 and died on 7^th March 1968.  During his ministry a new organ was installed.  The Rev. Frederick Leslie McConnell of Albert Street Church, Belfast, was then installed on 17^th April 1952.  He had extensive renovations carried out, a new church hall built and a fine car park provided.  Mr. McConnell retired on 31^st March 1976 and was succeeded by the Rev. William Donald Patton (lic. Armagh) who had been ordained assistant (5^th January 1975) in Trinity congregation, Bangor.  He was installed here on 16^th February 1977.  In August of 1983, Mr. Patton received a call to Greystone Road in Antrim.  His successor, the Rev. Roger Crooks was installed in September 1984 and in 1997 he accepted a call to Belvoir congregation.   A lengthy vacancy followed during which the Rev. Dr. Roy Magee was appointed stated supply.

The present minister, the Rev. Keith Duddy, was Ordained in Mersey Street Presbyterian Church in 1987 and installed in Clarkesbridge and the Groves in 1989.  From 1998 to 1999 he was a Missionay in Nigeria with the Qua Iboe Fellowship.  Mr. Duddy was installed in First Dromore Presbyterian Church in March 2000.  During his ministry a new manse was officially opened by the Moderator of Presbytery on Saturday 23^rd November 2002.

A further brief history of First Dromore can be seen on the church’s website www.firstdromorepc.org.uk and a full history of the church (1660 to 1981) entitled “The Church on the Hill” by the Rev. W. D. Patton Published 1981) is shown on this web site, click on: A Short History of First Dromore Presbyterian Church

For a short article about the 1950/60’s Sunday school and Bible Class at First Dromore, click on:
Gospel meetings and Sunday Schools around Ashfield and Dromore 1950/60’s. By: John A. Kelly

Old School at First Dromore The Old School at First Dromore Presbyterian Church, erected in 1860.  It was demolished in the late 1950’s and a Church Hall built on the same site was opened in 1960.	The Rev. F. L. McConnell pictured with Miss Sadie Stronge - Sunday School Teacher at First Dromore for 45 years and John McGrehan - Sunday School Teacher (1934 -1954 and Superintendent (1954 - 1984).