TWO CENTURIES OF PRESBYTERIANISM IN BALLYNAHATTY AND CREEVAN
Two centuries of Presbyterianism in Ballynahatty and Creevan
by T S Birrell
ALTHOUGH Scottish immigrants had established the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in 1642, there was no Presbyterian congregation in Ballynahatty, near Omagh, until 1805, when a substantial slate covered building was erected on Ballynahatty Commons.
The church was known as First Ballynahatty.
The career of the first minister Rev. John Watson, was not a happy one. Although a committee appointed by the Synod found no evidence to support charges of intemperance against him, by 1834 the congregation had reduced significantly. Mr. Watson resigned and shortly afterwards he emigrated.
When Rev. John Latimer (Rev. W. T. Latimer a noted historian of the Presbyterian Church, was a son) arrived in First Ballynahatty in 1836, the congregation seldom numbered more than forty. Due to his strenuous efforts it rose steadily until it reached 150.
He also established a Sunday School attended by over 100 children, including several Catholics.
Mr. Latimer's popularity prompted many neighbouring ministers to seek his help, and he often conducted services in their churches. Sadly, when preaching in Second Omagh (now Trinity), in 1843, he felt unwell and died 10 days later.
Shortly after Mr. Latimer's death, Rev. John Houston became minister of First Ballynahatty.
Mr. Latimer's sermons had appealed to the emotions. Mr. Houston's, on the other hand, appealed to the intellect. His mental powers were such that the most learned audience in the General Assembly would have appreciated his sermons.
In 1862 Miss Rachel Houston, a cousin of Mrs. Houston, presented the congregation with a manse and a freehold farm. A wall was built round the church property, a porch erected, and the interior of the meeting-house completely renovated.
In poor health, Mr. Houston resigned in 1891 and was succeeded by Rev. George Brown from Shercock.
Meanwhile, in nearby Creevan an independent congregation known as Second Ballynahatty, had been in existence since 1834. Rev. John Porter, from Ardstraw, was the first minister and he was succeeded by Rev. James Brown.
In 1900 the General Assembly agreed that Second Ballynahatty should be renamed Creevan and two years later Rev. John Clarke, of Sixmilecross, was ordained there. Prior to his retirement in 1916 Rev. Clarke had a new manse built.
Departure
Following his departure, neighbouring ministers cared for the congregation until 1928, when First and Second Ballynahatty/Creevan united, Rev. George Brown of First Ballynahatty resigning as minister of the united churches.
Rev. W. E. Cochrane then became minister of the united churches. After 40 years of. faithful service, he retired in 1969, retaining the position of Senior Minister of Ballynahatty and Creevan until his death in 1974.
Following Mr. Cochrane's death, a new pulpit and baptismal font were installed in his memory.
During Mr. Cochrane's ministry, First Ballynahatty Church was closed and several families came to worship in Creevan Church. It was agreed that henceforth the name should be Ballynahatty and Creevan Church.
Ballynahatty and Creevan were then united with Fintona, whose minister Rev. Arthur O'Neill was installed in 1969. Mr. O'Neill retired in 2000 and is currently senior minister in Fintona, Ballynahatty and Creevan.
His successor, Rev. Edwin McDowell, became minister in March 2001, a second auspicious occasion following in June, when Mr. McDowell married Miss Claire Humphries.
Mrs. Isobel Short, who is in charge of music, has trained, and continues to train, aspiring young musicians. The church is thus in the enviable position of having a number of organists available at any time. Mrs. Short also trains the junior choir for children's day services and special Christmas presentations.
Mrs. Beverly Black, in addition to her duties as church treasurer, is also an accomplished organist and trains the senior choir of 10 to 12 members.
Following the retirement of Mr. Cochrane, Mrs. Jack McCrea held the position of Sunday School superintendent, until her death. She was succeeded by Miss Margaret Guy until her retirement in March 2000. Currently Mr. John Nevin is superintendent in charge of two teachers and approximately 24 children.
In addition to Mr. Nevin, the following are elders: Messrs. J. Todd, R. Tait, C. Beattie, G. Clyde, R. McCaffrey, L. Black and A. Ferguson.
Senior elder, Mr. John Todd, has served for 55 years, having become an elder at the age of 22, which must be something of a record in the annals of eldership.
To mark his half century of service, the congregation presented him with a handsome clock.
In 2000 Mr. Todd retired from his position of Clerk of Session, and in the same year Mr. Bob McCaffrey was elected to that position.
During Mr. Cochrane's ministry, his wife founded a branch of the PWA, hosting meetings in Ballynahatty Manse until her husband's retirement.
Vice-president, Mrs. Laura Stewart, continued to host meetings in her home until poor health forced her to discontinue.
Meetings were then held in the homes of committee members, a practice which continues to the present day.
Church membership has continued to increase throughout the past decade, and it is hoped that a hall can be added to the church in the forseeable future.
Meanwhile, for safety reasons, the remaining building at First Ballynahatty has been completely demolished and the erection of a suitable memorable is being considered.
Today Creevan Church stands alongside Loughmuck Road, halfway between Omagh and Fintona. A meandering stream borders the car park and lush pastures abound on every side.
During renovations the Stewart family presented two stained-glass windows, and at a later date erected a notice-board at the church entrance, in memory of Mr. Alexander Stewart.
Year-round colour Committee member, Victor Shannon, maintains year-round colour in a wall-bed at the rear of the church. An immaculate conifer (planted by Miss Margaret Guy in honour of the Moderator's visit in 1978) is also the result of his handiwork.
A plaque in the porch records that the late Miss Gretta Buchanan, a former member of the Church, preseted the present lighting system.
Two impressive doors presented by the White family in memory of Fred White and his son, Bryan, who died in the Omagh bombing, divide the porch from the main body of the church.
A table in matching wood presented by the Taylor family in memory of Mr. James Taylor, enhances the porch.
Plaques in memory of former ministers adorn the walls; John Porter, the first minister of Second Ballynahatty, and two died in 1868; James Brown, who after a ministry of 33 years died in 1902; and the aforementioned John Houston who died in 1903.
Also on a wall is a cabinet presented by Mr. John Todd containing the old communion vessels formerly used in Ballynahatty and Creevan.
Near the minister's room a plaque records that, in 1987, Jean Rea presented the church's amplification system in memory of her parents William and Margaret Rea, while in the same year Stephen and Jean Black presented the furniture in the minister's room in memory of their daughter, Anne.
A bequest from the late Miss May Todd, was used at her request to provide and install a lectern in her memory. At the same time the Todd family donated new communion plate and dispenser in memory of their parents.
Mr. Charles Beattie presented the choir chairs and the Kerr family presented the hymn boards, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. John Beattie.
For two centuries Presbyterians have worshipped in Ballynahatty and Creevan. The present congregation comprises approximately 60 families and is both humble and diligent in its devotion. Such faithfulness bodes well for a future in which the trend towards the secular is likely to continue.
by T S Birrell
ALTHOUGH Scottish immigrants had established the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in 1642, there was no Presbyterian congregation in Ballynahatty, near Omagh, until 1805, when a substantial slate covered building was erected on Ballynahatty Commons.
The church was known as First Ballynahatty.
The career of the first minister Rev. John Watson, was not a happy one. Although a committee appointed by the Synod found no evidence to support charges of intemperance against him, by 1834 the congregation had reduced significantly. Mr. Watson resigned and shortly afterwards he emigrated.
When Rev. John Latimer (Rev. W. T. Latimer a noted historian of the Presbyterian Church, was a son) arrived in First Ballynahatty in 1836, the congregation seldom numbered more than forty. Due to his strenuous efforts it rose steadily until it reached 150.
He also established a Sunday School attended by over 100 children, including several Catholics.
Mr. Latimer's popularity prompted many neighbouring ministers to seek his help, and he often conducted services in their churches. Sadly, when preaching in Second Omagh (now Trinity), in 1843, he felt unwell and died 10 days later.
Shortly after Mr. Latimer's death, Rev. John Houston became minister of First Ballynahatty.
Mr. Latimer's sermons had appealed to the emotions. Mr. Houston's, on the other hand, appealed to the intellect. His mental powers were such that the most learned audience in the General Assembly would have appreciated his sermons.
In 1862 Miss Rachel Houston, a cousin of Mrs. Houston, presented the congregation with a manse and a freehold farm. A wall was built round the church property, a porch erected, and the interior of the meeting-house completely renovated.
In poor health, Mr. Houston resigned in 1891 and was succeeded by Rev. George Brown from Shercock.
Meanwhile, in nearby Creevan an independent congregation known as Second Ballynahatty, had been in existence since 1834. Rev. John Porter, from Ardstraw, was the first minister and he was succeeded by Rev. James Brown.
In 1900 the General Assembly agreed that Second Ballynahatty should be renamed Creevan and two years later Rev. John Clarke, of Sixmilecross, was ordained there. Prior to his retirement in 1916 Rev. Clarke had a new manse built.
Departure
Following his departure, neighbouring ministers cared for the congregation until 1928, when First and Second Ballynahatty/Creevan united, Rev. George Brown of First Ballynahatty resigning as minister of the united churches.
Rev. W. E. Cochrane then became minister of the united churches. After 40 years of. faithful service, he retired in 1969, retaining the position of Senior Minister of Ballynahatty and Creevan until his death in 1974.
Following Mr. Cochrane's death, a new pulpit and baptismal font were installed in his memory.
During Mr. Cochrane's ministry, First Ballynahatty Church was closed and several families came to worship in Creevan Church. It was agreed that henceforth the name should be Ballynahatty and Creevan Church.
Ballynahatty and Creevan were then united with Fintona, whose minister Rev. Arthur O'Neill was installed in 1969. Mr. O'Neill retired in 2000 and is currently senior minister in Fintona, Ballynahatty and Creevan.
His successor, Rev. Edwin McDowell, became minister in March 2001, a second auspicious occasion following in June, when Mr. McDowell married Miss Claire Humphries.
Mrs. Isobel Short, who is in charge of music, has trained, and continues to train, aspiring young musicians. The church is thus in the enviable position of having a number of organists available at any time. Mrs. Short also trains the junior choir for children's day services and special Christmas presentations.
Mrs. Beverly Black, in addition to her duties as church treasurer, is also an accomplished organist and trains the senior choir of 10 to 12 members.
Following the retirement of Mr. Cochrane, Mrs. Jack McCrea held the position of Sunday School superintendent, until her death. She was succeeded by Miss Margaret Guy until her retirement in March 2000. Currently Mr. John Nevin is superintendent in charge of two teachers and approximately 24 children.
In addition to Mr. Nevin, the following are elders: Messrs. J. Todd, R. Tait, C. Beattie, G. Clyde, R. McCaffrey, L. Black and A. Ferguson.
Senior elder, Mr. John Todd, has served for 55 years, having become an elder at the age of 22, which must be something of a record in the annals of eldership.
To mark his half century of service, the congregation presented him with a handsome clock.
In 2000 Mr. Todd retired from his position of Clerk of Session, and in the same year Mr. Bob McCaffrey was elected to that position.
During Mr. Cochrane's ministry, his wife founded a branch of the PWA, hosting meetings in Ballynahatty Manse until her husband's retirement.
Vice-president, Mrs. Laura Stewart, continued to host meetings in her home until poor health forced her to discontinue.
Meetings were then held in the homes of committee members, a practice which continues to the present day.
Church membership has continued to increase throughout the past decade, and it is hoped that a hall can be added to the church in the forseeable future.
Meanwhile, for safety reasons, the remaining building at First Ballynahatty has been completely demolished and the erection of a suitable memorable is being considered.
Today Creevan Church stands alongside Loughmuck Road, halfway between Omagh and Fintona. A meandering stream borders the car park and lush pastures abound on every side.
During renovations the Stewart family presented two stained-glass windows, and at a later date erected a notice-board at the church entrance, in memory of Mr. Alexander Stewart.
Year-round colour Committee member, Victor Shannon, maintains year-round colour in a wall-bed at the rear of the church. An immaculate conifer (planted by Miss Margaret Guy in honour of the Moderator's visit in 1978) is also the result of his handiwork.
A plaque in the porch records that the late Miss Gretta Buchanan, a former member of the Church, preseted the present lighting system.
Two impressive doors presented by the White family in memory of Fred White and his son, Bryan, who died in the Omagh bombing, divide the porch from the main body of the church.
A table in matching wood presented by the Taylor family in memory of Mr. James Taylor, enhances the porch.
Plaques in memory of former ministers adorn the walls; John Porter, the first minister of Second Ballynahatty, and two died in 1868; James Brown, who after a ministry of 33 years died in 1902; and the aforementioned John Houston who died in 1903.
Also on a wall is a cabinet presented by Mr. John Todd containing the old communion vessels formerly used in Ballynahatty and Creevan.
Near the minister's room a plaque records that, in 1987, Jean Rea presented the church's amplification system in memory of her parents William and Margaret Rea, while in the same year Stephen and Jean Black presented the furniture in the minister's room in memory of their daughter, Anne.
A bequest from the late Miss May Todd, was used at her request to provide and install a lectern in her memory. At the same time the Todd family donated new communion plate and dispenser in memory of their parents.
Mr. Charles Beattie presented the choir chairs and the Kerr family presented the hymn boards, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. John Beattie.
For two centuries Presbyterians have worshipped in Ballynahatty and Creevan. The present congregation comprises approximately 60 families and is both humble and diligent in its devotion. Such faithfulness bodes well for a future in which the trend towards the secular is likely to continue.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0974
Published Date: 28-Dec-01
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