Killaney Parish Church

St. Andrews Church of Ireland, Boardmills
on the corner of Carricknaveagh Road

The parish can be traced back to 1194 with a land grant from John de Courcy. The original church was destroyed in 1641 with services held in temporary premises until the current church was built in 1867. The church bell was a gift from St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin and is inscribed in Latin ,' May this bell remain sound, calling the faithful to prayer till the sound of the last trumpet 1724'.

The vicar 1817-1820 was Rev. Charles Hamilton & in 1830 was Rev. William Boyd. In 1836 it was described as a small church. The curate held public worship at Killaney townland on Sundays with an average attendance of 12 people & occasionally in Carrickneveagh schoolhouse. The yearly tithe was £8. Rev. James Milligan, vicar, died 6 Nov 1856. The present church was built in 1867 through the generosity of the Marquis of Downshire . Received a Heritage Lottery Grant of £75,000 to repair the roof 31/10/2012 (DRp 43)

Newspaper articles from Down Recorder;
the curate Rev. W. Graham died 8 Jul 1848; consecration of parish church 20 Apr 1867

Records available; baptisms 1846- 1925
new graveyard attached

1st Presbyterian Church, Boardmills

The first settlers in this area attended 1st Saintfield Presbyterian church. Their first request for their own preacher was turned down. After a disagreement over the new minister in Saintfield they broke away. This congregation was established as a secession church in 1749 with its first minister Rev. Andrew Black, and the present building ,on the right of the photo ,was built by Rev. Joseph Longmoor in 1802. He was ordained here in 1784. On a tablet over the door is inscribed "This house was built 1802 , the Revd. Joseph Longmoor, Minister". After his death in 1809, he was suceeded by Rev. John Sturgeon who stayed for 30 years. In 1809 the congregation dissented again and built a new church down the road. (see other churches below) The hall on the left was donated by John McKee of New York in 1826. James Robinson was the ruling elder here for many years prior to his death in 1838. The minister from 13 Oct 1840 was Rev. George H. Shanks. The minister from 1888- 1944 was Rev. John Lindsay. McCandless. He was succeeded by the Rev Walter Kerr .

Newspaper article from Down Recorder;
article re meeting house 8 Apr 1843

baptisms 1782- 1889, marriages 1782- 1844 & 1851-1870, try http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true Batch # C700011; graveyard nearby, gravestone inscriptions UHF Vol 2;oldest date of death on a headstone is 1778; email me for a gravestone look-up

For a history see http://www.lisburn.com/books/1-2-boardmills-killaney/boardmills-killaney-3.htm#events

2nd Presbyterian Church, Boardmills- Associate Secession Presbyterian
at the western end of the street in Bresagh townland

The congregation separated from First Boardmills Presbyterian in 1809 , though both were secession congregations. Withdrawing members were paid £350 if they resigned claims to the previous meeting house. They used these funds to build their own church just down the road in 1813 . The stone over the church door has the words "Associate Secession Church built in 1813 for Christ's free men". The last phrase was used in the bitter dispute that accompanied the division of the Churches. The minister from 1816 was Rev. John Shaw & from 1827-1855 was Rev. John Downes (EPC p19) His salary was £80 a year from his congregation.1,100 Scotch Dissenters attended this meeting house in 1836. It was described then as a plain, oblong building, whitewashed and slated; capable of holding 560 people. Its dimensions were 66 by 42 feet broad. The minister c. 1883-1920 was Rev. Alexander Dobbin with Rev. J. W. Dobbin May 1904; . Joined with the 3rd Boardmills Presbyterian in 1926 with Rev Robert Kelso as the minister. (2 Jun 1925 DR*)

Records available are baptisms 1836- 1866, try http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true Batch #C700091; graveyard attached, gravestone inscriptions UHF Vol 2; The oldest stone in the graveyard dates from 1821 ; email me for a gravestone look-up

For a history see http://www.lisburn.com/books/1-2-boardmills-killaney/boardmills-killaney-3.htm#events and Aiken McClelland's 'Second Boardmills Presbyterian Church 1813-1963 (Howard Publications, Belfast, 1963)

The 3rd or Secession Presbyterian Church in Boardmills
In Carrickmaddyroe townland.

A break away group from 1st Boardmills Presbyterian. The Church was opened in 1846 on a site given by Mr John Dunwoody of Carrickmadyroe and the first Minister, the Rev Thomas Clugston was ordained on 11 March 1846. the inscription over the door reading " Boardmills Secession Meeting House, Anno Domini 1846. Gloria Deo, Pax Hominibus". The second minister was Rev John Moody from 8 July 1886.The congregation became reunited with 2nd Boardmills in 1926 with Rev Robert Kelso as the minister. (2 Jun 1925DR*)

Small graveyard attached with oldest stone 1848. Only 8 headstones prior to 1865. Email me for a gravestone look-up or pay per view gravestone inscriptons on www.irishgenealogy.ie

The Sexton's job at Boardmills Presbyterian Secession Church in 1911
Memorandum of Agreement made and entered into this Tenth Day of February in the Year of Our Lord 1911 between the Session and Committee of Boardmills Session Church in the County of Down of the one part and William Johnston of Lisbane in the County of Down, labourer, of the other part.

Whereas the said congregation required the services of a sexton and such notice was duly given out in the said congregation and whereas the said William Johnston made application and was duly elected and appointed by the said before- mentioned Session and Committee to the position of sexton in the said Church, now this agreement witnessed that the said congregation the use and occupation of the dwelling house situate in the grounds of the said church, also ten shillings at each communion , also a special collection to be taken up on his behalf every year and also the grass of the grounds of the said congregation. The said William Johnston is to pay to the Session and Committee the sum of one shilling per year as rent for the before mentioned dwelling house.

The said William Johnston is to keep the Meeting House and premises in good order, that is to say he is to wash the seats, floor, windows and doors of the said church at least twice a year; to clean and sweep said church once a week; to open the windows of said church once a week; to light lamps and fires in both church and adjoining hall when required so to do by Session and Committee; to dress the hedges belonging to the church; to assist the people to unyoke and yoke their horses when coming to public worship and to do all further and necessary work which may appertain or belong to the duty of a sexton when ordered to do so by Session and Committee and also to keep the stable and graveyard clear of fowl at all times.

The said William Johnston is to leave the said dwelling house and to give up the position of sexton of the said church on receiving three months' notice from the Session and Committee of the said church and if the said William Johnston desires to leave he must give three months' notice to the said Sessions and Committee.

Now the said William Johnston hereby agrees with the said Session and Committee of said congregation that he will perform all the above mentioned work.

William Johnston (X signed his mark,) Sexton
James Foreman, Member of Session, Member of Committee
Witnesses present at time of signing;
Andrew Wylie
Isabella Foreman

old Killaney graveyard

in Killaney townland near Bow Lough

This graveyard used mainly by Presbyterian families before the opening of Cargacreevy Presbyterian church

gravestone inscriptions UHF Vol 2 ; email me for a gravestone look-up


This photo was kindly sent by Steven Edgar