Anniversary celebration at 2nd Killyleagh Presbyterian Church

Anniversary celebration at 2nd Killyleagh Presbyterian Church

23 March 2016

A KILLYLEAGH church celebrates the 175th anniversary of its formation with a special re-opening this weekend.

To mark the anniversary, Second Killyleagh Presbyterian Church has carried out the biggest renovation and structural change in its history.

And at 11am on Sunday morning, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, the Rt Rev. Ian McNie, will officially open and re-dedicate the church and the adjoining Lecture Hall.

As part of the anniversary weekend, the church will also host a Maunday Thursday service at 8pm tomorrow night (Thursday) and Good Friday Communion service at 8pm. 

Work started last year to carry out the improvements which include a new disabled access linking the hall and church, a realignment of the interior walls, major modernisation including new choir seats, repainting and additional multimedia infrastructure. The adjoining hall, which once served as a school, has also benefited from significant investment. 

One of the features of the building, its high pulpit which is one of the highest in Northern Ireland, has been retained.

Coinciding with the anniversary, 2nd Killyleagh has a new Clerk of Kirk Session. Miss Zena McAllister becomes the first woman to hold the post, succeeding Mr Robert McMurray who has served for 15 years.

“We are delighted with the renovations and improvements. The church building and hall looks very well. We believe it makes the church very welcoming,’’ said Miss McAllister.

“We would encourage people to join with us this weekend to share the Easter message and join in the celebrations of 175 years at the service of thanksgiving on Sunday.’’

Mr Jim Lindsay, the convenor of the church’s property committee which oversaw the work, said: “We believe the improvements will ensure the church remains at the heart of the community for many years to come.’’

One of the remarkable features of the congregation has been the long service of its ministers. During its 175-year history, the congregation has only had eight ministers. Two of its ministers served for more than 50 years — Rev Alexander McCreery for 58 years and the Rev Clifford Boggs for 52 years until 1980.

The first minister of the church was the Rev Robert Gault (1840-1851). He was ordained at a service in First Killyleagh in March 1840. For some time after this, the congregation worshipped in the Wesleyan building at the shore. The foundation stone for the new church was laid on October 15 1840, with public worship conducted in the church for the first time on March 28 1841. The building was formally opened and dedicated by the most famous figure in Irish Presbyterianism in the 19th century, Dr Henry Cooke, in August 1842. He was a former minister of First Killyleagh.

Since September 2012 the church has operated under a linked arrangement with 1st Killyleagh, sharing joint services under the one minister, the Rev Hiram Higgins, who will invite the Moderator to re-dedicate the church during Sunday’s historic service.

The church is hosting two other events to commemorate the anniversary. On Sunday, April 3, it will stage a Songs of Praise service at 7pm.

And after Easter, from Monday, March 28, to Friday, April 8, there will be an exhibition of photographs and artefacts in the Lecture Hall, from 2pm to 5pm and from 7pm to 9pm each day.