St. Patrick's Church of Ireland
in Church Street

The photo on the left shows St. Patrick's high on the hill overlooking the town. It was taken from Sandys Street which is the northern road from Mayobridge. On the right is a photo of the church closer up. It was the first Protestant church in Ireland, built in 1573.

It used to be the parish church until St. Mary's was built in the town in 1810 then became the Chapel of Ease. This means that it caters for the overflow of parishioners.

It is a roughcast, granite building with rectangular windows in the church and Gothic windows in the tower. It seats 600 people and was generally well attended in 1836. In the tower is a bell with the inscription; " 1828, the gift of Francis, Earl of Kilmorey, to St. Patrick's church. I. Rudhall, fecit, the Reverend Charles Campbell, vicar"; also a clock made by George Blackam of Newry.

St. Mary's Church of Ireland
in Needham Place (now called John Mitchell Place ) , in the centre of Newry

This church was designed by Patrick O'Farrell & finished by Thomas Duff between 1810-1819 at a cost of £16,000 and it is capable of holding 800 people. The vicar in 1824 was Rev. Charles Campbell with Rev. Alexander George Smart as curate, John Leeson was the organist & Thomas Leonard the parish clerk. The average attendance in 1836 was 450 people. The salary of the vicar at that time , Rev. Charles Campbell D.D., was £200 per year and the curate, Rev. Charles Moffat A.M. was £100 per year; these are paid for by Lord Kilmorey. It is a handsome building of Gothic architecture and a tower with bell and spire with a cross on top. The walls are composed of finely cut local granite. It has an organ which was presented by the Earl of Kilmorey and the two colour flags beside the organ were presented by the Royal Downshire Regiment. The vicar in 1846 & 1852 & 1860 was Rev. Daniel Bagot with Rev W.R. Williams as curate & in 1881 the rector was Rev. Rev. Thomas B. Swanzy and the curate Rev. Samuel Smart. In 1910, the vicar was Rev. Samuel Smartt.

There are several memorials in the church to William Ogle, 1803, Jane Ogle nee Gordon 1821, Robert Scott 1773, Richard Jebb Brown 1832, Mary Corry 1820, Isaac Wright 1877, Major General Henry Davis 1813, Acheson Thompson 1818, John Gibson 1788, Trevor Corry 1781; Major William Stewart Richardson 1830.

Newspaper articles from Down Recorder;
memorial window to late Marquis of Downshire 9 Dec 1871; for a copy of the Act of Parliament that made St. Mary's the new parish church is available

Records available; Baptisms 1804-1814; 1817; 1819 & 1822-1894; marriages 1784- 1963; burials 1824- 1876; index of baptisms , amrriages & burials 1784- c. 1910; vestry minutes 1775-1948; select vestry minutes 1877- 1909; registers of vestrymen 1870- 1935; preacher's books 1878- 1957; registers of pews occupied 1886- 1926 & subscribers 1886- 1959;No graveyard; but the memorial inscriptions inside the church are in UHF Vol 21; email me for a memorial look-up; burials at the old St. Patrick's Church of Ireland on the hill

LDS have on FHL British Film #259218 parish registers 1784-1901

1st Presbyterian Church Non Subscribing
an Arian, Reformed congregation in Meeting House Green near High Street, Newry then Needham Place (Patrick Street)

The congregation was established in 1650 . The lease for a meeting house was taken out in 1722 with a yearly rent of 1 shilling an 6 pence, payable to Mr. Needham. It remained the main Presbyterian Church of Newry for over 100 years. After the orthodox Presbyterians split off and built a new church in Sandys Street in 1828 it remained the church of the Non- Subscribers (Unitarians). The latter stayed there until 1853 when they moved to a smaller Gothic church in Needham Place (now called Patrick Street) ( called Riverside) . The old meeting house was now sold to the Reformed Presbyterians to establish a new church in Newry and the latter remained there until they bought the Riverside church in 1884. The old church was abandoned.

The meeting house built in 1722 and described in 1836 as a plain, granite building, capable of it holding 1000 people with an average attendance at that time of 450. The south aisle was added in 1800 at a cost of £200. Behind the meeting house is a sundial which was presented by Mr. Robert Wallace in 1757. The minister Rev.John Mitchel was originally from 1st Presbyterian but transfered to the Non Subscribers in 1829 The minister from 1840- 1868 was Rev. Henry Alexander. In 1910, the minister was Rev. G.J. Slipper.

The church above in John Mitchel Place is on the corner of Bridge Street, nearly opposite St. Mary's Church of Ireland, has a sign at the front declaring itself 1st Presbyterian Church.

Baptisms 1779- 1797; 1809- 1863; 1900; 1909-1912 & 1934; marriages 1781- 1795; 1809- 1845 & 1892; list of communicants 1810-1842; minuates & accounts 1877-1898 & 1936-1966; list of pew holders c. 1820; notes on ministers & congregations c. 1690-1909 in PRONI CR4/1,3; T.699/7; Graveyard attached, this is the main graveyard for Newry Presbyterians; gravestones UHF Vol 21; email me for a gravestone look-up

LDS have FHL Book by Kathleen Neill call #941.65/NI K29; baptisms 1779-1974, 1809-1829 & marriages 1779- 1794, 1809-1810
and a photocopy call # 941.65/NI K29f of registers 1779-1796

1st Newry Presbyterian Church

in Sandys Street, Newry

This meeting house was built by architect Thomas Duff in 1829 after a split in doctrine with the old meeting house in Needham Place (now called Patrick Street). It was built at a cost of £3,500 which was raised by private voluntary subscription. The salary of the minister in Rev.John Mitchel 1823-1829 was £300 . He became a Unitarian. .It was described in 1836 as a rectangular granite building, capable of holding 1000 people with an average attendance of 700. The salary of the minister at that time, Rev. James Shields (1829-1846) , was £200 per year. The minister from 1846- 1862 was Rev John Moran & then Rev William Todd Martin 1862- 1867 . He was suceeded by Rev. John H. Munro 1867-1873 & from 1874 to at least 1881 was Rev. James C. Ferris. In 1910, the minister was Rev. W.G. Strahan.

Not to be confused with the 1st Presbyterian Church, which is an Reformed congregation in John Mitchel Place.

Newspaper article from Down Recorder;
article about the new church in Newry 7 Jan 1832;

Newspaper article from Newry Commerical Telegraph;
collection at Charity sermon 22 Jan 1828

Records from 1829 in local custody ,no graveyard

2nd Newry Presbyterian- Seceeders
in Downshire Road , Newry (The Garrison Church)

The congregation has an early history an orginally met about two kilometres outside the town. The present building , built by architect Thomas Duff between 1841- 1843 (during the ministry of Rev. John Weir) after the older church became crowded. The minister in 1852 & 1881 was Rev. John Dodd & in 1910, Rev D.D. Boyle. It later became the Scriptural School then the church hall for St. Patrick's Church of Ireland.

Baptisms 1849 - 1965; marriages 1845- 1909; communicants roll 1884- 1899 in PRONI; no graveyard

Old Presbyterian: Unitarian then Covenanters (Non Subscribing)
in High St, Newry

The first recorded minister was Rev. George Lang in 1688, he fled during the Troubles but returned by 1692. His sucessor was Rev. Robert Rainey 1706- 1736. The congregation originally met in Sheepbridge in 1763 then they built a meeting house behind High Street, Newry in 1782. The minister from 1740-1779 was Rev James Moody followed by his son Rev Boyle Moody 1779-1799 then Rev. John Thom 1800- 1808 then Rev. Andrew G. Murray and in 1824 it was Rev. John Carr. The meeting house was repaired in 1829 at a cost of £375 which was raised by the congregation & subscriptions from all denominations. It was described in 1836 as a plain, rectangular building which was fitted up with pews to hold 350 people, which was barely sufficient for the general attendance . The salary of the minister at that time , Rev. John Weir, was £75 per year.

The minister in 1852 was Rev. Robert Wallace & in 1881 was Rev. Alexander S.M. Lyons. This site was later abandoned in favor of the church in Downshire Road. Only a part of a wall and the pulpit remained in 1890. It was preserved temporarily under an awning in memory of the patriot, John Mitchel's father, a distinguished clergyman who preached here and is buried here. John Mitchel, himself , was buried here on 23 Mar 1875. The street was renamed John Mitchel Place.

Graveyard attached called Little Green, gravestone inscriptions available UHF Vol 21 ; email me for a gravestone look-up

Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church

This meeting house for Non- Subscribers was built beside the canal at the western end of town in 1884 after a move from the old meeting house in Needham Place (now called Patrick Street). They split with the orthodox Presbyterians who built a new meeting house in Sandys Street in 1828. The first minister was Rev. McFarland. The minister before his transfer to Comber in 1873 was Rev. Stuart James Niblock. The minister at the Needham Place church in 1881 was Rev. John Armstrong Crozier & the minister at Riverside church in 1881 was Rev. J.C. Legate. In 1910, the minister was Rev. T.B. McFarlane & Rev. Robert Hanna 1969-1988

The records are from 1863 and there isn't a graveyard. Burials are at the old church site in High Street, Newry or the newer (20th century) graveyard in High Street.

Methodist Church

in Sandys Street, Newry

This church was built by architect Thomas Duff between 1839 & 1841 and is beside the 1st Newry Presbyterian Church on the road out of Newry on the way to Mayobridge. The minister in 1881 was Rev. Edward Guard & in 1910, the minister was Rev. G. Linahan .

No graveyard

St. Patrick's and St. Colman's Catholic Cathedral
in Hill Street, Newry ; parish trust 39 The Mall, Newry Co. Down BT34 7AN- phone (0693 67524)

This Catholic Cathedral was built by architect Thomas Duff between 1825-1829 on a site purchased from Marquis of Downshire. It cost £8,000 which was raised by subscription of people of all denominations. It was the first Catholic cathedral to open in Ireland after Catholic Emancipation. It was described in 1836 as a fine granite building of Gothic architecture with many galleries, capable of holding 2500 people, with an average attendance at 1st mass of 800 & 2nd mass 650 and at 3rd mass 1650 & at vespers 800 in winter & 400 in summer. Five hundred children attended for religious instruction. The bishop in 1846 was Right Rev Dr Michael Blake with Revs. John Brennan, John Callan, Patrick McKay & Bernard Hughes as curates. Rev Blake was still there in 1852 with Rev. John O'Neill as parish priest. There is an organ which was transfered from the old chapel & was presented to it by General Needham, brother of Lord Kilmorey; a tower was added in 1888. The bishop in 1881 was Right Rev. John P. Leahy, the administrator was Rev. Patrick McCartan, the curates were Rev. Daniel Mallon, Rev. Thomas Gallery & Rev. Cornelius Woods whilst Rev. James Carlin was chaplain.

Priests & Administrators of the parish; Rev Dominick McEvoy 1704; Rev James Mackey 1782; Rev Bernard Devlin 1793; Rev Thomas Cranny 1793; (then see above) Rev Patrick MacCartan 1877; Rev Michael McConville 1887-1888; Rev Thomas Gallery 1888-1891; Rev James Carlin 1906-7; Rev Joseph Doyle 1907-14; Rev. Daniel Grant 1914-23; Rev. Francis J. O'Hare 1923; Rev James Fitzpatrick 1923-32; Rev John Magee 1932-34; Rev. Edward James MacAteer 1934-37; Rev. Patrick Francis MacComiskey 1937-1950;Rev. Edward Campbell 1950-55; Rev James Boyd 1955-5;Rev. Jams Burke 1957-60; Rev Hugh Esler 1960-61; Rev Jack Lynch 1961-1970; Rev Edward Hamill 1970-81; Rev Arthur Byrne 1981-87; Rev Arthur Bradley 1987-92; Rev John Kearney 1992-98; Rev Aidan Hamill 1998- 2003; Rev Terence Rafferty 2003

Newspaper article from Northern Star;
rejoicing over the passing of the Catholic Bill 17 Apr 1793; resolutions passed at a meeting 19 Mar 1795

Newspaper article from Newry Commerical Telegraph;
collection at Charity sermon 22 Jan 1828

http://registers.nli.ie/ has registers to view 1820-1826; baptisms 1818- 1884 (PRONI Mic 1d/26-28) ; marriages 1820-1917; funerals 1818-1862 in PRONI; No graveyard; burials at St. Mary's in Chapel Street; gravestones Vol 21 UHF; email me for a gravestone look-up
LDS have on FHL British Film # 926087 baptisms 1818-1826; dispensations and funerals 1818-1819; funerals 1825; marriages 1820-1826; dispensations 1825-1826; financial records and funerals 1825-1827; UHF has baptisms 1818-1910 & marriages 1825-1900

St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Sheeptown
on the old road between Newry to Rathfriland

The Catholic congregation in this area previously met in a field. This chapel was built in 1803 at a cost of £600 which was raised by subscriptions and a bequest by Rev. Dr. Lennan who died 1802 and left £100. It was described in 1836 as being built of roughcast granite and capable of holding 650 people with the average attendance at that time of around 650. It's congregation became too numerous so they built another chapel in Shinn townland in 1834. Remodelled 1995

The Catholic parish of Saval was formed in 1920; parish priests were Very Rev. Thomas McGrath 120-30; v.Rev. Micael McClorey 1930-38; v. Rev. James Dargn 1938-1955; v. Rev. Daniel Fegan 1955-56; v.Rev. Bernard Mooney 1956-60; v. Rev.James Canon Murtagh 1860-70; v. Rev John Canon McAnuff; v. Rev. Francis Boyle 1995

Graveyard attached, gravestone inscriptions available UHF Vol 21; oldest stone 1824;email me for a gravestone look-up

St. Colman's Catholic Church in Shinn townland
west of the main road between Newry and Rathfriland

This chapel was built 1834 at a cost of £1,000 which was raised by subscriptions from all denominations & the labour of the parishioners with their carts. It was described in 1836 as a plain, granite building with a mud floor and no seats. It is capable of holding 1000 people. A new gallery was built in 1836 would give room for 500 more. This chapel was built because the Sheeptown chapel was overcrowded, therefore it's called a Chapel of Ease. The landlord, Mr. Dickenson, gave the land for nothing. In the graveyard there was a very rough stone cross with traces of short arms and the usual wheel-shaped surround.

The Catholic parish of Saval was formed in 1920; parish priests were Very Rev. Thomas McGrath 120-30; v.Rev. Micael McClorey 1930-38; v. Rev. James Dargan 1938-1955; v. Rev. Daniel Fegan 1955-56; v.Rev. Bernard Mooney 1956-60; v. Rev.James Canon Murtagh 1860-70; v. Rev John Canon McAnuff; v. Rev. Francis Boyle 1995

Graveyard attached, gravestone inscriptions available UHF Vol 21 ; the oldest stone is 1837; email me for a gravestone look-up