ON THE WALL OF THE OLD CHURCH OF ST. ANDREW'S, BALLYHALBERT OLD GRAVEYARD, IS THE TABLET FOR THE FIRST MINISTER OF GLASTRY PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION. NOTE IT SAYS THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE WAS BUILT IN 1721.
GLASTRY PRES. BAPTISMAL RECORDS.
1728 WILLIAM REID SON OF ADAM REID WAS BAPTIZED BY REV. JOHN MCMURRAY
McMURRY
Tablet on church wall.
Here underneath lyeth the body of ye Revrent John McMurry who departed this life January the 9th 1730 aged 32 yrs.
He was the first Mineistr ordained in ye Parish of Ballyhalbert the metting house being built in 1721.
The whole of his time of ye Parish was 6 years 1 month & 24 days & died in (asquince) much lamented of his harers. (hearers)
Done by Robert MILLER.
In 1622 the old church was described as being “repayred” repaired
Snips from the "STORY OF GLASTRY CONGREGATION 1721- 1977
1727 James Miller & Adam Palmer were added to the Kirk session
1770 Andrew Coffey from B/easboro was on the original Trust Deed.
13th Mar. 1843 Charles Hastings & George Caughey were ordained to the office of Ruling Elder by the Ards. Presbytery.
Session in 1866 included Adam Palmer & James Warnock
At his final Communicants' Class held in April-May 1871 the Minister recorded that there were 11 young communicants present on the 18th May, the Fast day.
Including James McWhirk; John Palmer of Portavogie my g great grandfather Lena; Maggie McMaster of Ballyhemelin;
Samuel Geo. Caughey.
1731 May 16th REV. W. SKINNER Baptized Wm. Mackay son of Robt. Mackay.
1732-1771
1732 July 12th REV. SCOTT baptized Robert Muckle son of James Muckle.
In 1750 REV THOMAS SCOTT is shown as marrying Sept.18th 1750; Will Hill to Sarah McKelvy.
In 1771 Rev. W. STEELE DICKSON married on 27th Mar. 1771 Will Boyd to Ann Gowan.
There is a marriage record 25th Aug. 1771 for Rev. W.S. DICKSON to Isabella McMinn.
CHILDREN
Jane DICKSON b 1775, bapt 5/12/1775, Glastry Presbyterian
David McMinn DICKSON b 1776 bapt 14/6/1776, Glastry Presbyterian
Mary Charlotte DICKSON b 1778 bapt 4/9/1778, Glastry Presbyterian
Rev. W. Steele Dickson performed his last 2 marriages in Glastry in 1788.
He moved to Portaferry Presbyterian in 1st Feb. 1780 and is reputed to have been a member of the United Irishmen's Rebellion in 1798.
http://www.ulsterhistory.co.uk/dixonwilliamsteel.htmNEXT MARRIAGE
1819 - 1832
1819 REV. J. SINCLAIR married 18th Dec. James Blair to Ann McKenny witnesses James Blair; Eliza Sinclair.
1832 - 1833
1832 Oct.4th REV.A P. GOWDY married Robert McCormick to Esther Coffey [both from Ballyeasborough] Witnesses Will Coffey James Hastings.
1834 - 1838
1834 June 14th REV. J McROBERTS married John Thompson, Ratalla, to Mary Kennedy Glastry. Witnesses John McKee S McMaster
1839 -1872 there are a number of different ministers see below. The Rev's Jamison & Rowan still marrying until 1872.
1839 Feb. 22nd. REV. G. JAMISON married Robert Ross to Jane Rainey [both from Glastry] Witnesses Robert Rainey Mary Fowler.
1843 Dec. 25th REV. JAMES ROWAN married Frank Reid to Mary Mulrea [both from Portavogie] Witnesses Joseph Mulrea James Drysdale.
1857 Feb.17th REV. JOHN ORR [PORTAFERRY MINISTER] marries John Cole of Glasgow to Jane Coates of Portaferry fathers John Cole & Henry Cotes.
1872 REV. ROBERT WORKMAN ARRIVED
ORDAINED 3rd SEPT. 1872 RETIRED 22nd MAY 1910.
http://www.glastrypresbyterian.com/RESEARCHED & POSTED BY LENA MCVEA
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