Drumbo, Drumlough, Dundrod, Hillhall, Hillsborough, Harmony Hill , Legacurry, Elmwood

Drumbo Presbyterian Church
 

Drumbo Presbyterian Church, built in 1882.	The round tower at Drumbo Presbyterian Church.

 

Rev. Adrian McLernon Minister	Rev. Kenneth Smyth Minister Emeritus

In the centre of the village of Drumbo.

Minister: Rev. Adrian McLernon
Telephone: 9082 6373
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Kenneth Smyth

Sunday services:
Morning: 10.30am.
Evening: 6.30pm.

Presbyterian Church in Ireland Website:
www.presbyterianireland.org

HISTORY – The Church

The earliest mention of this congregation comes in 1655 when we find Mr. Henry Livingstone ordained here.  He was a nephew of the famous John Livingstone of Killinchy.  He continued in this charge till 7^th April 1697 when he died, aged 66 years.  His successor was Mr. Edward T. Bailly who appears to have been ordained here on 16^th June 1699, although the tablet in the church indicates 1697 as the year.  His death occurred on 27^th June 1703, although his tombstone again differs by placing it on 26^th June 1703.  The next minister was Mr. Thomas Gowan (lic. Antrim), son of the renowed Latinist and founder of the School of Philosophy and Divinity at Antrim.  He was ordained here on 29^th March 1706.  In 1716 he had a unanimous call from the English Presbyterian Church at Leyden, Holland, which the Synod permitted him to accept.  He was succeeded by Mr. Patrick Bruce, son of Rev. James Bruce of Killyleagh and brother of Rev. Michael Bruce of Holywood.  Mr. Patrick Bruce was ordained here on 12^th June 1717.  Towards the close of the year 1729 he resigned this charge and removed to Scotland, where he became minister of Kilellan, in the Presbytery of Paisley. He subsequently returned to Killyleagh.

In 1729 Drumbo came under the care of the Presbytery of Bangor and in 1730 sought supplies of probationers.  Their next minister was Mr. Andrew Malcolm (lic. Bangor) who was ordained on 27^th November 1731.  He died in this charge on 2^nd March 1763.  He was succeeded by his nephew Mr. James Malcolm who was ordained here on 24^th December 1764.  In 1775 it was reported to the Synod that owing to severe mental infirmity Mr. Malcolm had not been able to officiate for two years.  Their request to be declared vacant was granted.

Their next minister was Mr. Hugh McKee (lic. Belfast) ordained here by the Presbytery of Belfast on 25^th September 1776.  He demitted the charge in June 1781.  In 1792, Mr. Malcolm having recovered, the people applied for his restoration to the ministry among them.  The Synod appointed a committee to judge the case.  They installed him in his charge towards the close of the same year; and the Synod approved of this proceeding.  In May 1794, in consequence of indisposition and infirmity, Mr. Malcolm was again obliged to resign the pastoral charge.  The next minister was Mr. Samuel Hanna (lic. Ballymena).  He was ordained here on 4^th August 1795 and after four years resigned in 1799 on receiving a call to Rosemary Street, Belfast.  He later became the first Moderator of the General Assembly in 1840.  He was succeeded by Mr. James Riddle, or Riddel (lic. Dromore) who was ordained on 3 Sept. 1800.  Mr. Malcolm died on 3^rd October 1805 and Mr. Riddle, after being suspended for twelve months in 1825, was suspended sine die in 1826.

The next minister was Mr. Campbell Blakely (lic. Belfast) who was ordained by the Presbytery of Belfast on 24^th July 1827.  His predecessor, Mr. Riddle died soon afterwards on 25^th February 1828, and Mr. Blakely was the subject of much controversy in the congregation (S. of U. Min. 1828).  There were moves to have him disannexed but the Synod thought it best that he should stay.  They removed him from the Presbytery of Belfast into the Presbytery of Bangor.  When Mr. Blakely became infirm after 40 years, Mr. James McNeill (lic. Ballymena) became his assistant and successor on 7^th May 1867.  When he had been eleven years in Drumbo he received a call from First Lurgan, which he accepted.  He took ill and then asked leave to withdraw, and he was installed again in Drumbo.  Mr. Blakely died on 1^st December 1872 and Mr. McNeill on 18^th February 1890 in his forty-ninth year.

The tenth minister called was Rev. William James Warnock of Stewartstown.  He was installed here on 14^th May 1891 but had to resign for health reasons in 1899.  He went to live in South Africa where he died aged 37 years on 28^th November 1900.  Mr. William McNeill, a son of the Rev. James McNeill (above) was then called and ordained on 16^th November 1899.  He resigned when called to Adelaide Road, Dublin, on 11^th November 1903, and was followed by Mr. James Irwin (lic. Newry) who was ordained on 5^th April 1904.  He stayed until 31^st March 1911 when he responded to a call to St. Aidan’s U.F. Church, Melrose, Scotland.

Mr. Joseph Cordner (lic. Dromore), a Lurgan man, was next ordained on 2^nd August 1911, and he exercised a memorable ministry until he resigned after fifteen years on a call to Hamilton Road Church, London, Ontario, Canada, on 17^th September 1926.  His successor was Mr. John Barkley Wallace (lic. Ballymena) who was ordained on 29^th December 1926, retired on 1^st February 1963 and died on 28^th December 1963.  Mr. Wallace wrote a history of the congregation.

The Rev. Kenneth Smyth of Glastry was installed on 3^rd September 1963, the fifteenth Presbyterian minister on this historic site.  He had extensions made to the school hall (1960) and to the church itself (1979).  Mr. Smyth retired in 1993 and is now the Minister Emeritus of Drumbo.  His successor, the Rev. Hugh Mullan, previously in Castledawson and Curran was installed here on 23^rd September 1993 and in early 2003 he accepted a call to Drumreagh and Dromore.

The present minister, the Rev. Adrian McLernon, previously in Castlecaulfield and Eglish, was installed in Drumbo in February 2003.

To see a book entitled ‘Drumbo Presbyterian Church - A Short History (1655-1956)’ written by the Rev. J. B. Wallace M. A., click on Drumbo Presbyterian Church - A Short History (1655-1956)

HISTORY – The Round Tower

The Round Tower is the only remaining one in County Down. This fact greatly adds to its interest. There are many of them in Ireland, and the theories as to their origin and use are very numerous. Some writers have attributed them to the Danes, while others have declared them to be of Phoenician origin. In respect of their uses, the following are some of the theories: used as places from which to proclaim the Druidical festivals; fire-temples; gnomons or astronomical observatories; phallic emblems or Buddhist temples; anchorite towers or stylite columns; penitential prisons, belfries, keeps or monastic castles, beacons, and watch-towers.

This brief history of the round tower is taken from a book entitled ‘Drumbo Presbyterian Church - A Short History (1655-1956)’ written by the Rev. J. B. Wallace M. A.

Drumlough Presbyterian Church
 

Drumlough Presbyterian Church, established in 1818.

 

Rev. Gary Glasgow Minister	Rev. Scott Martin Minister Emeritus

Rafferty’s Hill, Drumlough.

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

Sunday services:
Morning: 12.00 noon
Evening: 6.30pm

Presbyterian Church in Ireland Website:
www.presbyterianireland.org
 

Noticeboard at Drumlough Presbyterian Church

HISTORY

A memorial asking for weekly supplies was sent from local residents to the Synod of Ulster in 1816.  A second followed in 1817 and its prayer was granted on 30^th June 1818.  Taken under the care of the Presbytery of Dromore, the congregation was instructed not to ordain a minister until the debt of the meeting-house was liquidated.

The first minister was Mr. Samuel Crory (lic. Dromore), ordained on 23^rd March 1819 when the charge was given by Rev. Dr. Henry Cooke.  In 1841 there were 280 seat holders, 240 communicants, and 1750 persons in the congregation.  The annual stipend was £50.  Mr. Crory resigned after 34 years and died on 19^th May 1860.  He was followed by Mr. John McClelland (lic. Banbridge) who was ordained on 2^nd July 1855.  A new manse was built about 1880 and after another lengthy ministry of 37 years, Mr. McClelland died on 14^th April 1907.

The third minister called was Mr. George Bell Shaw (lic. Down) who was ordained on 16^th December 1891.  His stay was short and he accepted a call to Claggan on 19^th August 1894.  An even briefer ministry was that of Mr. William Samuel Heron (lic. Toronto) who had been received by the General Assembly in 1894.  He was ordained on 28^th November 1894 and removed to Waringstown on 5^th November 1895.

Two ministries of over 30 years followed. Mr. Thomas Bill (lic. Templepatrick 1893) was ordained on 13^th May 1886 and died on 16^th April 1941.  The Rev. William Copes of First Bailieborough was installed on 25^th June 1930 and retired on 8^th November 1965.  The congregation then called Rev. William Mathieson Gray (lic. Belfast North) who was ordained assistant in St. Enoch’, Belfast.  He was installed on 23^rd March 1967 and resigned on 29^th June 1971 having been called to Dunlop Memorial, Belfast.  The Rev. John Scott Martin, previously in Knowhead, Fahan and Inch was installed on 27^th September 1972.  There were in 1976, 106 families, 108 communicants and 270 individuals in the congregation.

The two congregations of Drumlough and Anahilt were united on 1st September 1974 and the Rev. Scott Martin, who had been installed in Drumlough in September 1972, became minister of the joint charge. Mr. Martin retired on 31st March 1997 and is now the Minister Emeritus. The current church hall was previously a schoolhouse, where Harry Ferguson was a notable past pupil.

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

Dundrod Presbyterian Church
 

Rev. Angus Stewart Minister	Dundrod Presbyterian Church, built in 1827.

Leathemstown Road, Dundrod.

Minister: Rev. Angus Stewart
Telephone: 9082 5211

Sunday services:
Morning: 11.30am

Presbyterian Church in Ireland Website:
www.presbyterianireland.org

 

Notice Board at Dundrod Presbyterian Church.	Stone Tablet at Dundrod Presbyterian Church.

HISTORY

Presbyterians first began to meet together here in 1827 and the first minister was Mr. William Loughridge (lic. Ballymena).  He was ordained on 2^nd March 1829 but suspended sine die on 6^th November 1837.  He resigned the charge in July 1838 and emigrated to U.S.A. where he was installed on 7^th November 1840 in the 4^th Presbyterian congregation of Philadelphia on 7^th November 1840.  He died on 11^th November 1846.  He was followed by Mr. William Magill (lic. Belfast) who was ordained on 14^th January 1840 and had a long ministry before he retired on 1^st February 1876 and died on 11^th March 1880.  Mr. Magill’s successor did not stay so long.  Mr. John Clarke (lic. Belfast) was ordained on 16^th May 1876 and resigned on 26^th June 1879.

The Rev. John McConnell, minister of Magherafelt (Union Road) followed with another short ministry; installed on 22^nd June 1880 he resigned on 14^th February 1884 and emigrated to Australia (Footscray Church, Melbourne).  The fifth minister was Rev. Robert McBride of 2^nd Monaghan (Ballyalbany) who was installed on 17^th April 1884.  He died in this charge on 1^st April 1900.

He was followed by Mr. James Little (lic. Banbridge) who was ordained on 20^th September 1900.  He resigned on 15^th September 1910 when called to Dumbarton (Knoxland Church), and he later returned to Castlereagh and became prominent in public and political life.  His successor here, Mr. David Sloane Corkey (lic. Glendermott) was a man greatly beloved and his passing greatly mourned.  He was ordained on 28^th February 1911 and died on 14^th October 1924.

Mr. David McKinney (lic. Raphoe) was ordained on 5^th March 1925 and had a long and esteemed ministry until his retirement on 31^st December 1967.  He was followed by Rev. Robert Derek Drysdale (lic. Belfast) who had been ordained as assistant in Hamilton Road, Bangor.  He was installed here on 27^th June 1968 and resigned on 6^th April 1976 when called to McQuiston Memorial Church, Belfast.  He was succeeded by Rev. Kenneth Orr Lynch (lic. Omagh 1974) who had been ordained (12^th January 1975) assistant in Cregagh.  He was installed here on 10^th March 1977.

The Rev. Isaac Thompson, previously assistant in Ebrington, Londonderry, was installed here in 1985 and in 1994 he accepted a call to First Cookstown.  Mr. Thompson was followed by the Rev. John Brackenridge, previously Associate Minister in Knock.   Mr. Brackenridge was installed here in 1995 and during his ministry a new suite of halls was built in 2002.  Mr. Brackenridge accepted a call to First Lisburn in November 2002.

The present minister, the Rev. Angus Stewart, previously assistant and later Associate in McQuiston Memorial, was installed in Dundrod on Friday 12th September 2003. Work commenced in May 2006 on a refurbishment of the Meeting House and the congregation are currently meeting for worship in the Church Hall.

Hillhall Presbyterian Church


 

Hillhall Presbyterian Church, opened in September 1902.
 

Rev Dr Jack Richardson MBE Minister Emeritus	Rev Paul Jamieson Minister	Rev. Craig Wilson  Assistant Minister

Hillhall Road, Lisburn.
 

Sunday services:
Morning: 11.00am.
Evening: 6.30pm.

Church Web Site
www.hillhallpc.org
 

Newly ordained elders pictured with the Commission from the Presbytery of Dromore at Hillhall Presbyterian Church on Sunday 6th November 2005.  L to R: (front row) Russell Andrews, Alan Beattie, Hazel Campbell, Margaret Graham, Winston Graham, James Stewart and Phyllis Walker.   (back row)  The Rev. Jack Richardson - Minister of Hillhall and Acting Clerk of Dromore Presbytery, Rev. Kenneth Smyth - Drumbo Senior Minister, The Rev. Bobby Liddle - Moderator of Dromore Presbytery, Rev. Adrian McLernon - Minister of Drumbo, John Connor - Hillhall Clerk of Session and Representative Elder, Noel Adams - Legacurry Representative Elder and Roy Patterson - Drumbo Representative Elder.

Newly ordained elders and existing elders pictured with the Commission from the Presbytery of Dromore at Hillhall Presbyterian Church on Sunday 6th November 2005.  L to R:  (front row) The Rev. Adrian McLernon - Minister of Drumbo, the Rev. Jack Richardson - Minister of Hillhall and Acting Clerk of Dromore Presbytery, Russell Andrews, Alan Beattie, Hazel Campbell, Margaret Graham, Winston Graham, James Stewart, Phyllis Walker and the Rev. Kenneth Smyth - Drumbo Senior Minister.  (second row) Roy Patterson - Drumbo Representative Elder, Noel Adams - Legacurry Representative Elder, Edna Jebb, Georgie McNeill, Alan McNeill, John Connor - Hillhall Clerk of Session and Representative Elder, Kenneth Scott, Elizabeth Nesbitt, Lorraine Smyth, Tommy Dixon, Jim Spence and the Rev. Bobby Liddle - Moderator of Dromore Presbytery. (back row) Harry Stewart, Ronnie Crawford, Harry Simpson, Robert Pauly, Norman McConnell, Joseph Lockhart, Roy McNeill, Bertie Nesbitt and Jackie Bell.

HISTORY

For many years this congregation was called “Lisburn” in the records of the Seceders.  It was the first place in Ireland to write across to Scotland for help, and the early history has been carefully traced in Stewart’s The Seceders in Ireland.

In 1750 a call was offered to Mr. John Tennent bearing nearly 120 signatures, but he preferred another, signed by 250 persons of another congregation, and this he accepted. Moira and Lisburn (Hillhall) joined forces and received Mr. John Hume from Aberdour, Fifeshire.  It so happened that a few months previously Synod had received an urgent appeal from the Rev. Alexander Craighead, minister at Middle Octarara, Pennsylvania, beseeching them to appoint some ministers to labour in that State.  The Synod had destined Mr. Hume for this work and had appointed the Presbytery of Ireland to ordain him and send him forth. Meanwhile, Mr. Hume had received a call from the congregation of Moira and Lisburn, which under the circumstances the Synod refused to sustain, and ordered Mr. Hume to proceed to America. Mr. Hume refused to complete his trials for this purpose and stated his objections. In reply the Synod threatened to suspend his license to preach, but milder counsels prevailed and he was released from the appointment to Pennsylvania on apologising to the Presbytery for “the absolute and dogmatical manner of his declining compliance”.

Mr. Hume was in this way left at the disposal of the Presbytery and was ordained to the pastorate of Moira and Lisburn on 30^th January 1753.  Ten years later he resigned Lisburn (Hillhall) portion of his charge, which forthwith became a distinct congregation. While in the town the congregation does not seem to have obtained a site for a meeting house.

It was probably about this time that the congregation removed from Lisburn to a site given them by Mrs. Law of Hillhall.  From this period the congregation has continued to bear this name.  After a vacancy of five years a call was given to Mr. Alexander Grier (lic. Moira Sec. 1769) and he was ordained on 22^nd March 1769.  His ministry here was brief as in 1773 he removed to the new congregation of Millisle.

For another period of five years the congregation remained vacant, largely through disappointments, as calls presented to the Rev. James Martin, Messrs. George Whyte and Francis Archibald, at different dates, found them pre-engaged.  At length, Mr. John Bell, a Scotsman, was ordained on 20^th May 1778 and proved himself “a faithful and godly minister”.  He died in 1792 after a ministry of fourteen years. Mr. Bell’s successor was Mr. Henry Hunter (lic. Belfast) who was ordained on 23^rd March 1795.  In 1823 he sought leave to retire pleading ill-health, but statements were made concerning him which were such that the Synod, after due investigation, deposed him in July 1825.  The next minister was Mr. Samuel Dunlop (lic. Derry) ordained on 25^th August 1825.  He left a distinguished family of four sons, one of whom was Rev. Robert Dunlop of Nassau (St. Andrew's). The Rev. S. Dunlop died at Derriaghy Cottage on 10^th August 1865.

It was during Mr. Dunlop’s ministry that the original earthen-floored, thatch-roofed meeting house (54 feet long, 37 feet broad and 20 feet high) was renovated (1826).  It was rebuilt in the time of his successor, Rev. James Dawson Crawford of Drum, and some stones in the old church record these dates.  The Rev. Mr. Crawford was installed on 29^th March 1866 and remained till 22^nd May 1881 when he received a call to Albert St. Congregation, Belfast.  During this time he had a manse built in 1868 and received various tokens of the congregation’s appreciation.  He was “a keen controversialist and ready debater in the General Assembly”.  He was followed by Rev. Robert Robson of Mountnorris who was installed on 2^nd July 1883 and who died in office on 12^th October 1906.  The present meeting-house (1902) and Church Hall (1893) were built during his term of office.

The congregation now called a licentiate, Mr. Gilmour Neill, son of Rev. M. Neill of Urney and Sion, and he was ordained on 8^th May 1907.  He formed a Boys’ Brigade Company in 1911 and accepted a call to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Portsmouth, on 9^th May 1913.

The Rev. William McNutt of Drumachose was the next minister. He was installed on 13^th August 1913 and on 9^th December 1917 he was given leave of absence for War Chaplaincy work.  The Rev. W. C. Cowden took charge of the congregation during his absence and tribute was paid to him by the congregation on 9^th March 1919 on Mr. McNutt’s return.  On 8^th June 1925 Mr. McNutt accepted a call to Scotland (Olrig Parish Church, Castletown).  The Rev. Archibald Duff of Edenderry, who had started off as an agent of the Belfast City Mission, was installed here on 28^th July 1925.  He married Miss Ann E. Turner, daughter of Sir William and Lady Turner, Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Belfast for some years.  He initiated Scouts and Guides to cater for the needs of young people. Mr. Duff died on 24^th June 1946.

The next minister - the eleventh - was Mr. Walter Kennedy (lic. Ards) and he was ordained on 20^th November 1946.  After six active years he resigned on 30^th December 1952 when he accepted a call to Paris, Ont., Canada.  He was followed by Rev. Hugh Young of Toberkeigh, son of the Rev. Dr. W. P. Young of Clones.  He was installed on 27^th May 1953.  In 1956 a pipe organ was installed.  Mr. Young retired in 1981 and became the Minister Emeritus.  He went to live in England and died in April 2006.  . 

The Rev. Jack Richardson, previously in Carland and Newmills, was installed in Hillhall on 4^th June 1982 and during his ministry a new suite of halls were opened in May 1987 and a manse in 1995.  The church halls were destroyed in an arsonist attack in November 1999 and built and reopened in September 2002.

The Rev Craig Wilson was appointed assistant minister on 1st April 2006 and will be based at Hillhall Presbyterian Church for one year.

The Rev Dr Jack Richardson MBE, now Minister Emeritus, retired in December 2006 and was succeeded by the Rev Paul Jamieson, formerly minister of Christ Church Presbyterian, Dundonald, who was installed on Friday 29th February 2008.

Hillsborough Presbyterian Church
 

Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, opened in December 1833.

Rev. John Davey Minister	Rev. Kiran Young Wimberly Assistant Minister

Rev. Dr. Jim Irvine Minister Emeritus	Rev. Robert Larmour  Minister for Pastoral Visitation.

Lisburn Road, Hillsborough.

Minister: Rev. John Davey
Telephone: 9268 3696

Minister Emeritus: Rev. Dr. Jim Irvine
Minister for Pastoral Visitation: Rev. Robert Larmour

Sunday services:
Morning: 10.30am
Evening: 6.30pm (second Sunday of each month)
July and August 10.00am

Presbyterian Church in Ireland Website:
www.presbyterianireland.org
 

Notice Board at Hillsborough Presbyterian Church.

Hillsborough Presbyterian Church Choir 2007

HISTORY

This congregation was erected by the Presbytery of Belfast in April 1832 and its first minister was Mr. Henry Jackson Dobbin (afterwards D.D.), son of the Rev. H. Dobbin of Lurgan.  Mr. Dobbin was ordained here on 18^th September 1833.  On the 30^th January 1837 he resigned this charge and removed to 1^st Ballymena.  He was succeeded by Mr. Samuel Marcus Dill (afterwards D.D.) formerly minister of Magherally, who was installed here on 3^rd October 1837.  On 28^th September 1853 Mr. Dill resigned this charge and removed to 1^st Ballymena.  He later became Moderator of the General Assembly (1860-61) and Professor of Theology at Magee College, Derry (1865-70).  He died on 11^th May 1870.  Two distinguished sons were Rev. A. H. Dill (First Ballymoney) and Sir Samuel Dill, M.A., D.Litt., L.L.D.  He was succeeded in Hillsborough by Mr. Alexander Montgomery who was ordained here on 28^th March 1854.  On 27^th August 1854, only five months later, Mr. Montgomery resigned, accepting a call from Magherafelt.  He was followed by Mr. Robert Templeton who was installed on 27^th March 1855 and resigned on 9^th June 1857.

The Rev. Galbraith Hamilton Johnston, who had been ordained as a Chaplain to the Forces in the Crimean War, was then installed on 30^th September 1857, and had a much longer stay.  In his thirty years he saw, among much else, the meeting-house renovated, a manse built and a teacher’s residence provided.  Two schoolhouses were also rebuilt.  He retired in September 1888 and was succeeded by Rev. Charles Donaldson on 19^th December 1888.  He was called after three years to First Coleraine on 17^th March 1891.

The next minister - the seventh - was Mr. William Charles Steele (lic. Route).  He was ordained on 9^th September 1891.  He died suddenly on 5^th October 1914 amid much sorrow in the congregation.  The Rev. Prof. W. I. Steele of Magee Theological College was his son. Mr. John Herbert Orr (lic. Belfast) was then ordained on 11^th March 1915 and ministered for 47 years.  He, once again, saw the Church building renovated, a pipe organ installed in 1929 and additional rooms built in 1956.  Mr. Orr retired on 31^st March 1962 and he died on 12^th January 1963.

When Mr. Orr was succeeded by Rev. James Barr Irvine of Alexandra Church, Belfast, the fine J. H. Orr Memorial Hall was built in 1974.  Mr. Irvine was installed on 20^th February 1963.  A gifted musician, he became a Lecturer in Homiletics in the Assembly’s College, Belfast, in 1978.  This post he held in addition to his pastorate in Hillsborough. Mr. Irvine retired in 1985 and is now the Minister Emeritus at Hillsborough.  For about 5 years (1989 to 1994) he was Pastoral Assistant at Railway Street Church, Lisburn. A new manse was purchased in 1964 and a hall (named in memory of the Rev. Herbert Orr) was opened in 1973. 

The present minister, the Rev. John Davey, previously in Raphoe and Ballindrait was installed in Hillsborough on 10^th June 1986.  On 1^st November 1988 the Rev. Robert Larmour, Minister Emeritus of Magheragall was appointed Minister for Pastoral Visitation at Hillsborough Presbyterian Church. Assistant Minister, the Rev Kiran Young Wimberly, commenced her ministry here on Sunday 25th February 2007.

Lambeg - Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church
 

Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church, Lambeg, opened in May 1965.

 

Rev. David Knox Minister	Rev. Harold Gray Minister Emeritus

 

Rev Clarke Deering Assistant minister	John Blair Outreach Co-ordinator

Harmony Hill, Lambeg.

Minister: Rev. David Knox
Telephone: 9266 2878

Minister Emeritus: Rev. Harold Gray
Assistant Minister: Rev Clarke Deering

Sunday Services:
Morning: 11.00am
Evening: 7.00pm
No evening services in July

Web site: www.harmonyhillchurch.org
 

Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church Noticeboard.

HISTORY

Worship began in the Presbyterian Hall on 21^st February 1954.  This hall, sited in Lambeg village, was originally used for offices by the local bleaching company.  Later it was converted into residential accommodation.  First Lisburn, during the ministry of Rev. J. C. C. Breakey, took over a room on the premises for a Sunday School for the children of the area, and purchased the property in 1929.  Prominent among the teachers were the Fisher family.  In 1952 the Church Extension Committee appointed the Rev. V. Molgaard as stated supply.  On his resignation in 1955 the congregation was under the care of Rev. Professor R. J. Wilson and Mr. John Nelson, a lay agent, who had worked with the Qua Iboe Mission and with Church Extension causes at Rathcoole and Garnerville.  Mr. Nelson continued to work with the new minister, Mr. David Hugh Alexander Watson (lic. Ards).  Mr. Watson was ordained and installed at a service in 1^st Lisburn on 20^th September 1956.  He had the oversight of Lambeg and Seymour Hill, Dunmurry.  He had as assistant the Rev. Jose Roncero, a Spaniard, who later went to Australia as a Minister.  His successors as assistants were Rev. R. N. Brown and Rev. John W. Morrow, who eventually became minister of Seymour Hill, Dunmurry, when the two centers were separated.

The congregation of Lambeg outgrew its home in the village hall.  This hall, owned by 1^st Lisburn, was transferred for a nominal sum to the Church Extension Committee.  The foundation stones for the Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church were laid on 19^th September 1964, and the building was opened by the Rt. Rev. Dr. James Dunlop, Moderator of the General Assembly, on 29^th May 1965.  A manse was purchased in the same year and a church hall opened in 1971.

The bell in the tower has engraved on it 1874 and a crown, harp and shamrock.  The bell is from Clogher Presbyterian Church, Co. Mayo.  The church was erected, and declared an established congregation by the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Wm. Boyd, on 18^th February 1968.  The first elders were ordained and installed on 17^th November 1968 by the Presbytery of Dromore.

The Rev. D. H. A. Watson resigned on 24 June 1975 when he accepted a call to Kilsyth Parish, Church of Scotland, and the Rev. William Harold Gray of Woodvale Church, Belfast, was installed on 23^rd January 1976.  Mr. Gray retired in October 1991 and is now the Minister Emeritus in Harmony Hill.

The present minister, the Rev. David Knox, previously in Downpatrick was installed in Harmony Hill in May 1992. The Rev. Karen Campbell, who was appointed Assistant Minister in Harmony Hill in September 2004, left on Sunday 25th March and was installed in First Islandmagee on Thursday 19th April 2007. Karen was succeeded by the Rev Clarke Deering from Rosslea (Co Fermanagh), who commenced his duties as the new Assistant Minister on Sunday 3rd June 2007. John Blair was appointed full time Outreach Co-ordinator in September 2006. John’s main duties include responsibility for the Base ‘Drop In’ Centre (located in the basement of the church), which opened in January 2007.

A full history of the church by S. & B. Wallace (Published 1993) is shown on this web site, click on: "Forty Years On" Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church Lambeg.

Legacurry Presbyterian Church
 

Legacurry Presbyterian Church, opened in March 1844.

 

Rev. Robert Liddle Minister	Rev. John McCaughan Minister Emeritus	Raymond McKibben Student Assistant

Ballynahinch Road, Lisburn.

Minister: Rev. Robert Liddle
Telephone: 9267 9824

Minister Emeritus: Rev. John McCaughan

Sunday services:
Morning: 11.00am.
Evening: 7.00pm.
Evening service as announced.

Web site: www.legacurry.org

Notice Board at Legacurry Presbyterian Church.

HISTORY

In March 1840 a number of Presbyterian families in the neighbourhood of Legacurry memorialised the Belfast Presbytery for afternoon services.  The prayer of the memorial was granted and services were held in a primitive school house.  The next year the Minutes of the General Assembly record – “Belfast Presbytery report that after supplying with preaching a number of Presbyterian families residing in the neighbourhood of Legacurry, they have formed them into a congregation”.

On 19^th August 1841 Mr. Phineas Whiteside (lic. Tyrone) was ordained the first minister.  The services were held in the open air in a field near the present church building.  On 28^th July 1843 the first stone of the church was laid by William Graham, Esq., of Lisburn, and on 27^th March 1844, the new Church was opened by Rev. Dr. Henry Cooke.  The Rev. Phineas Whiteside died suddenly on 7^th September 1865.  He was succeeded by Mr. William Browne (lic. Magherafelt) who was ordained on 31^st May 1866.  The congregation was transferred from the Belfast Presbytery to the Dromore Presbytery in 1877.  Mr. Browne retired in 1907 and died on 5^th December 1914.

The Rev. Andrew Frederick Moody, who had been minister of Waterford till ill-health compelled him to rest, and who was then doing temporary duty at Chester Avenue, Whitehead, was installed on 28^th August 1907.  His short ministry of two years and three months saw the Church renovated and all round progress before he resigned on 29^th November 1909 when called to Cliftonville, Belfast.  He became Moderator of the General Assembly in 1935.

The congregation then called Mr. Thomas John Kinnear Rankin (lic. Letterkenny) and he was ordained on 27^th July 1910.  He had a lifelong interest in and influence upon the educational trends and policies of the time.  He died on 24^th April 1949.  His successor, the Rev. John McCaughan (lic. Route), formerly minister of Cremore and Tyrones Ditches, was installed here on 6^th October 1949.  His daughter Kathleen is the wife of the Rev. Ivan Hunter of Trinity Church, Letterkenny, and his son is the Rev. James McCaughan, ordained assistant in Emmanuel congregation, Belfast.  Mr. McCaughan retired in 1983 and is now the Minister Emeritus in Legacurry.  For many years after his retirement he was Churches Correspondent for the Ulster Star.

Mr. McCaughan was followed by the Rev. William Campbell, previously in Great James Street and later Chaplain to the Forces - 1979 to 1984.  He was installed here in 1984 and resigned in 1990 when called to the Shankill Road Mission.  His successor, the Rev. Charles McMullen, previously assistant in Harmony Hill was installed in 1991 and was called to West Church, Bangor in 1999.

The present minister, the Rev. Bobby Liddle, previously Associate Minister in West Church, Bangor, was installed in Legacurry in February 2000 and introduced the church mission statement ‘Legacurry - Looking to the Lord in all things’. During Mr. Liddle’s ministry a new youth hall was opened in 2002. Student Assistant, the Rev. Kenneth Nelson, who was licensed at a service in Hill Street Presbyterian Church, Lurgan, on Sunday 21st May 2006, was installed in Mountjoy and Drumlegagh Congregations in Omagh Presbytery on Friday 28th September 2007. Raymond McKibben, a third year ministry student at Union Theological College in Belfast became student assistant at Legacurry at the end of September 2007.

A full history of the church by J. M. McGowan (Published in 1993) is shown on this web site, click on: Legacurry Presbyterian Church Our Story

Lisburn - Elmwood Presbyterian Church
 

Elmwood Presbyterian Church, opened in January 1977.

Rev. Andrew Thompson Minister	Rev. Bob Lockhart Minister Emeritus

Glenavy Road, Ballymacash, Lisburn.

Minister: Rev. Andrew Thompson
Telephone: 9267 5579

Minister Emeritus: Rev. Bob Lockhart

Sunday services:
Morning: 11.30am
Evening: 6.30pm
July and August: 10.30am and 7.00pm

Presbyterian Church in Ireland Website:
www.presbyterianireland.org

Church website: Elmwood Presbyterian Church

 

Elmwood Presbyterian Church Noticeboard.

HISTORY

No town in Northern Ireland grew more quickly in the 1960s than did Lisburn, and after one congregation had been carved out of the Railway Street parish area, St. Columba’s, it was clear another should come as well.  The Antrim-Glenavy Road area of Ballymacash became the site of this new cause.  The first stone of the new building was laid early in 1976 and the Rev. Robert Lockhart (lic. Ards 1974) who had been ordained (12^th January 1975) assistant in Knock congregation Belfast, was installed as the first minister at a service in Railway Street Presbyterian Church on Sunday 2^nd May 1976. By the end of 1979, 280 families had joined the congregation.

The church building was opened on 22^nd January 1977 by the Rt. Rev. Dr. A. J. Weir, Moderator of the General Assembly.  A new organ was provided in September 1979 and on 26^th September 1981 a fine new suite of halls was opened by Rev. Howard Cromie, Church Extension Convener.

When this church was established it received the name and several important furnishings of the former Elmwood Church, Belfast.  The Communion Table and vessels, the Lectern, the Pulpit, Bible and other items were given to the new cause in Lisburn in 1976.  Mr. Lockhart retired in April 2003 and is now the Minister Emeritus in Elmwood.  In September 2003 he was appointed Pastoral Assistant at Railway Street, Lisburn.

The present minister, the Rev. Andrew Jonathan Thompson, previously in Craigavon and Vinecash, was installed in Elmwood on Monday 14^th June 2004.