Newtownards Priory - Church of Ireland
in the Main Square

Anglicans worshipped in The Old Priory in Castle Street built by Sir Robert Colvill in 1632 on the ruin of the Dominican Priory. The tower is the only remains of a Dominican Friary founded in 13th century and burned in 1572. Services were then held in a small chapel at the east end of the church. The steeple was finished in 1636 and a large bell place there by Lord Viscount Montgomery. The entrance arch has the names of many Montgomerys carved and a large tomb of the Colville family stands in the aisle. In 1764 there were only 60 Anglicans in town. But it got badly into disrepair by end of 17th century .The walls were repaired in 1836, but refurbished as a church & consecrated 27 Jan 1860. Its dimensions are 63 by 46 feet. The rector 1789- 1809 was Rev John Cleland followed by Rev Mark Cassidy. The church was used until St. Marks was built in 1817.It then served as a court house.

no graveyard, burials at Movilla Abbey

Now in the care of Department of the Environment Historic Monuments.

St Marks Church of Ireland
in Church St, Newtownards in the west of town

The rector before his death in 1789 was Rev. Hugh Caldwell. There were 1000 Church of Ireland adherents in Newtownards in 1816 so a new church was built in 1817 in the Gothic style. This church replaced an older church (Priory, above) in the south of the town. Rev. Mark Cassidy was rector for 31 years until 1839. It was described in 1836 as the prettiest building in town. It cost £5446 of which £831 was a gift and £3692 a loan from Board of First Fruits. The rest came from Lord Londonderry . The rector in 1846 & 1852 was Rev. Townley Blackwood & in 1860, 1862 Rev. James/ Hugh McCormick & in 1910 Rev. W.L.T. Waltham with Rev. C.P. Fisher as curate.

Burials in Movilla graveyard

Newspaper article from Newtownards Chronicle:
proposed 2nd Church of Ireland for town 27 Jun 1885

The above photo was kindly sent to me by Brian McCleary.

Movilla Abbey
East of Newtownards town

Movilla Abbey was one of Ulster's most important monasteries and was founded by St. Finian in 540 AD. There was a school here in 543 (St. Finians) which was attended by St. Columba. . The Abbey was plundered by Vikings in 824 AD and refounded in the 12th century by Augustinian Canons. It is supposed to have subsisted until the general dissolution of abbeys by King Henry 8th. Most of the spiritualities and temporalities of the townland belonging to it were at that time seized and granted to Viscount Claneboy, from whom it passed to Hugh, Viscount Ards.

Only one pre-Norman stone remains in the graveyard. Built into the north wall of the graveyard is a collection of 13th century coffin lids. There are some gravestones from more recent times and it was used as the parish graveyard. Email me for a photo of the modern Movilla Church of Ireland church.

Movilla was granted to Hugh Montgomery in 1618.

Newspaper article from Newtownards Chronicle;
editorial on Movilla burying ground 31 Aug 1872; Movilla Ghost 3 Apr 1886

Gravestone inscriptions available UHF Vol 11 ; email me for a gravestone look-up; currently the cemetery is maintained by Ards Borough Council ; http://www.movilla-abbey-cofi.co.uk/ or Parks & Cemeteries Manager, Ards Borough Council, 2 Church Street
Newtownards,Co. Down BT23 4AP; for gravestone photos try http://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/down/photos/tombstones/markers.htm & http://www.northdownroots.co.uk/roots_gravestone.html

1st Presbyterian Church, Newtownards
in Great Francis Street, Newtownards

A congregation of Presbyterians emerged in the town when the Earl of Eglinton's Regiment was stationed in town in 1642. The first minister was Rev. David Kennedy who was deposed then reinstated 14 Aug 1641 then Rev. John Maclellan from 1642. They advertised for a preacher and Rev. John Greg from Carrickfergus became the minister in 1650. He was deposed but continued on a private basis until his death in 1670. A low, thatched meeting house was erected in 1670 . Rev. Greg was suceeded by Rev. Thomas Kennedy from 1671 til 1688 then Rev. Alexander Hutchinson c. 1690 then Rev. John Smith until 1704.

The old meeting house was replaced in 1720 when Rev. John Mairs (1706-1718) was preacher. He was seceeded by his son Rev. John Mairs from 1720 until he joined the Non Subscribers and Arians and formed the New Light Church in 1725 . Rrv. James Moorhead was minister in 1726 then Rev, James Smith 1739-1740 then Rev. James Huey from 1742 who became infirm and needed an assistant Rev. James Simson in 1790 . He was involved in United Irishmen Rebellion of 1798 & left for USA in 1799. He was suceeded by Rev. James McCullough in 1800 but he became infirm and was replaced by his son Rev. Julius McCullough 1834-1865.

The church was rebuilt in 1815 in Frances Street after a split with New Light sect. The costs involved were £3,000 which was paid for by the congregation. Attendance was on average 700-100 people. It was described in 1836 as extremely large & plain with an average attendance of 800 people. It had seats and a gallery & its dimensions were 106 by 50 feet. Rev.Matthew McAuley was minister 1865- 1879 followed by Rev. William Wright from 1879 to 1919.

Article from Northern Star newspaper;
death of Rev James Huey, minister for 52 years 24 Oct 1794

Articles from Newtownards Chronicle;
call to Mr. W. Wright as minister 5 Jul 1879; death of Rev. M. MacAuley 15 May 1880; Rev. H. Moore, 60th anniversary as minister 12 Mar 1887;death of Rev. Hugh Moore, minister 4 Mar 1893; ordination of Rev. J.J. Magill 18 Aug 1894 ; lecture on Armenia 7 Nov 1896; unseemly proceeding when Rev A. Gordon accuses wrong man 29 Dec 1888

North of Ireland Family History Society (www.nifhs.org) has baptism from 1831-1921 & marriages 1833-1921

no graveyard; try http://www.firstards.org.uk/

1st Presbyterian Church Non Subscribing
-New Light - in Windmill Row, off Francis Street (now Victoria St, Newtownardss

The first Non Subscribing congregation was founded in 1742 in Frances Street and the church was built at the expense of the congregation after a split with Old Light sect . The minister, John Mairs, from the Old Light church was its first preacher. It was capable of holding 500 people with dimensions of 72 by 44 feet. The minister in 1836 was Rev. Hugh Moore. The present building (colour photo) dates from 1924 in Victoria Avenue. The old building was converted into a cinema then a shopping arcade.

List of ministers;
David Kennedy (1634-1638); John Greg (1650-1670); Thomas Kennedy (1671- 1689); Alexander Colvill (1696- 1699); John Smith (1700-1704); John Mairs/Mears senior (1707- 1718); John Mears/Mairs junior (1720-1735); Hugh Scott (1735-1736); Robert MacKewan (1737-1756); James Dobbin ( 1756- 1782); William Sinclair ( 1784- 1798); John McIlwaine (1799-1799); Joseph Osborne ( 1800- 1827); Hugh Moore (1827- 1880); George Lansdowne (1888- 1891); John Joseph Magill (1894- 1896); Robert Maxwell King (1897- 1923); William Henry Townley Tilson (1923- 1953); Albert Horatio McElroy ( 1954- 1975); William Fairbairn Rowan (1975- 1978); William John Wharton from 1979; the late Rev. Wharton Brian retired in 1983 ; Brian Stuart Cockroft (1991-2013) and Roger McKee (2017-)

2nd Presbyterian Church
in Upper Mary St, Newtownards

Although called 2nd Presbyterian it was the third Presbyterian Church built in the town and opened in 1771. The congregation was Anti-Burgher Seceder. They were a conservative group who split from Seceders over an oath to be taken by burghers in Scottish towns. Most of the congregation cane from Conlig. Many services were held in the open air in what was Bangor parish and this Bangor congregation became known as Second Newtownards. A temporary, humble building was erected. The first minister was Rev. James Martin from 1753 until 1776. A few meeting house was built in his time in 1771. Next cam Rev. Francis Archibald 5 Aug 1777 until Aug 1780 then there was a long vacancy until Rev. Jasmes Bigger was ordained 13 Apr 1785 & stayed until 1797. He was succeeded by Rev. James Gardner from Nov 1801- Jan 1812 then Rev. David Maxwell Sep 1812- Oct 1859 then Rev. James Young from June 1860 to at least 1910.

This photo was kindly sent to me by Sandra Gilpin.

South Street Presbyterian Church (4th)

This congregation started in 1854 in Court Street, and became the 4th Presbyterian congregation in town . It moved to South Street in 1859 at the time of the Great Revival. The minister for 40 years before 1899 was Rev. George Hughes. It was eventually abandoned because there were too many Presbyterian Churches in Newtownards & used as a Technical College. In the 1970s it was turned into a centre for Youth Work officers with a new hall built with sports facilities; it is now known as Ards Arena.

North of Ireland FHS http://www.nifhs.org has baptisms1854 -1906 & marriages 1855-1905 ; no graveyard;

This photo was kindly sent to me by Sandra Gilpin.

Regent Street Presbyterian Church-
in Regent Street, Newtownards

This church was erected over a division among the congregation about the selection of a minister. Rev. James McCullough had been minister of 1st Presbyterian Church since 1799 and in 1834 his son, Julius was ordained as his assistant and successor. This attempt to establish a dynasty upset many people who obtained permission from the Synood of Ulster to establish a new congregation. The first met in the Court House but then leased land in Regent Street from Lord Londonderry. This Meeting House was erected in 1834 at a cost of £1,000 which was raised by subscriptions. Lord Londonderry gave £20 & the late Lord Dufferin £10. It has an ornamental front & is capable of holding 800 people with an average attendance in 1836 of 200 people. The minister , Rev. Mr. Thomas Watters was ordained in 1835 and stayed until 1892) . The Rev. J. Salters was minister 1892 & in 1910.

Article from Newtownards Independent newspaper;
presentation to Rev. Watters 14 Dec 1872 (NI);

Articles from Newtownards Chronicle newspaper;
renovations 9 Nov 1889;death of Rev. Thomas Watters 30 Apr 1892 ; installation of Rev. J. Salters 10 Dec 1892 ; presentation to Mrs. Adair 20 Oct 1894; cinematographic exhibition 4 Dec 1897

North of Ireland FHS http://www.nifhs.org has baptisms1835 -1922 & marriages 1835 -1920 & burials 1892- 1901 ; no graveyard

Strean Presbyterian Church
in West St, Newtownards

This congregation formed as a result of the 1859 Great Revival and a disagreement with the 1st Presbyterian Church over the appointment of a minister . Thomas Strean, a wealthy merchant, held a meeting with dissenters to discuss setting up a new congregation . The first meetings were held in the Market House with preachers from Comber. Thomas Strean gave £5000 towards buying land at Brooklands .The church opened in 1866. The preacher at the dedication service was horatius Bonar and its first minister was Rev. William Todd Martin. By 1869 the congregation had grown to 114 families.
The minister in 1910 was Rev. D.H. Maconachie.
Newspaper article from Down Recorder;
opened 1 Jun 1867

Newspaper article from Newtownards Chronicle;
visitation 5 Jul 1890

records from 1867; North of Ireland FHS http://www.nifhs.org has baptisms1888-1921 & marriages 1867 -1921
This photo was kindly sent by Sandra Gilpin

Ballyblack Presbyterian Church
on the Newtownards to Carrowdore road

The original congregation met in the home of Francis Boal, at the rear of the present church. A Meeting House was built in 1811. The minister in 1818 was Rev. James Wright. Rev. Alexander McIlwaine was the minister 1820- 1854. The present church was built in 1872 during the ministry of Rev. William Mitchell 1854-1902. Local farmers carried the stones in wagons. James Brown, a skilled carpenter, created the ceiling. The minister 1902-1908 was Rev. Samuel James Clarke & Rev. Thomas Roulston in 1924 & the minister 1938-1949 was Rev. Robert Usher Gordon William when renovations were carried out.

Article from Newtownards Chronicle;
reopening service 10 Jan 1874

baptisms from 1854, marriages from 1845; graveyard attached, gravestones UHF Vol 12; only 6 stones,oldest stone 1847; email me for a gravestone look-up; North of Ireland FHS http://www.nifhs.org has Baptisms 1854-1921; Marriages 1845-1921

This photo was kindly sent by Bradley Boal

Milecross Quaker Meeting House
on Belfast Rd, Newtownards

20 Quakers lived in Newtownards in 1764 & there were 400 in 1797. This meeting house was built in 1796 by The Bradshaw family .

A cemetery of the Society of Friends lies to the left of the entrance to the Kiltonga Bleach Works. There is nothing
to indicate the names of the departed members. (written 1886)

This photo was kindly sent by Bill Haggan.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church
in Ann St , Newtownards then North Street
Parochial House 71 Upper North St, Newtownards BT23 4JD Tel; 9181 2137 Fax; 9181 5200

Father Patrick Curran was brought to the parish in 1811 to tutor the family of Lord Londonderry. He used his influence to obtain a site for a chapel in Ann Street. A church was erected in 1815 at a cost of £80 & paid for by public subscription The priest 1814-1817 was Rev. Hugh Smith then Rev. Bernard Magee by 1822 the priest was Rev. Arthur McGlew & Rev. Patrick Curoe in 1831-1832. In 1831 there were 236 Catholics in Newtownards which quickly rose to 574 . The chapel was described in 1836 as a small, plain building 40 by 20 feet and capable of holding 160 with an average attendance of 60 people. A new church was built in 1845 to accommodate the larger congregation by Rev William McLea/McAlea (1842- 1856) ) . It was used until 1877 & finally demolised in 1994 . The above church in North Street was built in 1875-1877 and cost around £4000 . Lady Londonderry had converted to Catholicism in 1855 and paid for all construction and fitting out.

20th century priests: Rev. Peter McKenna until 1903; Rev. George Crolly 1903- 1912; Rev James McAuley 1912- 1927; Rev. Arthur Kennedy 1927- 1936; Rev. John Murphy 1936- 1949; Rev. Leo McKeown 1949- 1969; Rev. Robert Murphy 1969- 1973; Rev. Patrick McFerran 1973- 1983; Rev. Francis McKenna 1983- 1989; Rev. Daniel Whyte 1989- 1994; Rev Edward O'Donnell 1994+

Newspapers article from Down Recorder;
Board of Guardians & Catholic chaplain 26 Feb 1870

Newspaper articles from Newtownards Chronicle;
new chapel cost £4,000 8 May 1875 & 7 Aug 1875 ; dedication service 27 Oct 1877

no graveyard; http://registers.nli.ie/ has registers to view baptisms 1864-1881; PRONI & NLI have baptisms 1864- 1880; UHF has baptisms 1818-1900 & marriages 1825-1900;

This photo was kindly sent by Sandra Gilpin

Scrabo Tower
a townland of 316 acres & a sandstone hill & tower
2km SW of Newtownards, overlooking Strangford lough

The hill was formed by lava with a thick dolorite/ basalt sill which protected the sandstone underneath from being ground away by the ice layer during the last ice age This tower was erected in 1855-7 as a memorial to General Charles William Stewart- Vane, 3rd Marquis of Londonderry, in recognition of his concern for the plight of his tenants during The Famine. The original plan was like a Bavarian Castle (architects were Charles Lanyon & W.H. Lynn) but was considered too expensive. The cost of the revised tower was £3000. It has 122 steps leading to a viewing platform. in 1938 & 1994 a geologist found footprints of pre-historic 3 & 4 toed reptiles (early forms of dinosaurs). It had tea rooms run by the Millin sisters until 1966. Open regularly with the nature exhibitions nowadays.

In 1659 there were 4 English/Scots & 3 Catholic families in the townland. The railway line was here in 1863.

Newspaper Articles from Newtownards Chronicle;
stone quarry here 20 Apr 1878; accident at Glebe quarry 21 Feb 1885; sad & fatal accident 17 Jul 1886; Staghound hunt 28 Feb 1891; fatal accident at quarry 22 Oct 1898