Popular rector bids farewell

Popular rector bids farewell

29 March 2023

AFTER six years of serving his community, the rector of St John’s Church in Killyleagh has praised the “support, encouragement and friendship” of his parishioners.

The Rev Colin Darling is leaving Killyleagh to become rector of Ballymore and Clare parishes in Tandragee.

It was in 2016 that Mr Darling came to Killyleagh, where his grandfather, Rev Stanley Mann, ws rector from 1935 until 1962.

“There are parishioners who were here when my grandfather was here,” he said.  “I’ve done funerals for people who were baptised by him and weddings for people who knew him. Killyleagh people don’t tend to go too far and if they do they end up coming back.

“I was a bit late into ministry in my 40s, but I worked my way back to Killyleagh. My mother was brought up here and my parents were married here. In early 2016, I was invited talk about the position and, because of my family connection, I couldn’t say no.”

After serving in Belfast and Saintfield, Mr Darling said found Killyleagh to be a compact parish that was “lovely to minister”.

“Killyleagh is a small wee town,” he said. “I loved cycling around it on my bike, because nothing was too far. It’s such a pretty part of the World, amazingly scenic. The church, the graveyard and the rectory all overlook Strangford Lough.

“From that point of view, I’m really sad to be leaving not only the people of Killyleagh but also the area and its incredible beauty. They are a real tight  community, where everybody knows everybody, speaks to everybody and is friendly with everybody”.

Mr Darling will be replacing his view of “a lovely big castle in Killyleagh” with a church right next to Tayto Castle.

While he admitted the change came with its own stress and strains, Mr Darling said he was given a “tremendous send off” by his parishioners on Sunday.

“It was lovely what they did and a lot of folks from the community were at the church and the function afterwords,” he remarked. 

“In the time I was there, we built a new parish hall and there’s been great connection with the youth in Killyleagh through a youth club and Sunday school.

“During Covid, we had an online church and we still do stream services live every week. I remember doing a sit-out for the homeless a few Christmases ago and the whole community supported that effort. That was just one example of community support across the board. There’s just a good family spirit about the whole place.

“I can’t thank the people of the parish, and the whole community, enough for the support, encouragement and friendship they have offered to me in the time I was there.”