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· Belfast-Dublin Road

Loughbrickland Presbyterian Church - see J1141 : Loughbrickland Presbyterian church. Among the oldest Presbyterian congregations in Co Down, the church’s history goes back to the Scots settlers who came in the early 17th century, after the arrival of Sir Marmaduke Whitchurch. The following is an extract from the church’s website (on 4 July 2009):

“The first Church on the present site is thought to have been built with sod walls and a thatched roof by a number of Scottish settlers shortly after 1610, although it is likely that an earlier Christian church existed in the area as Loughbrickland had been an important town since the first century. The present Church was built during the ministry of the Rev. Hugh McAlister in 1819.
A manse was purchased in the village in 1879 for £320 and the present manse was built in the grounds in 1952.
Our congregation was joined with Scarva In 1927, during the 37 year ministry of Rev. T S Reid.
Our records show that since 1655 our congregation has been served by 18 ministers, the longest ministry having been that of Rev. John Smyth (1757 - 1804).
As the congregation continued to grow, a gallery was added in 1836 (and removed in the early part of the 20th. century) and in 1842 a committee was appointed and a Sunday School commenced. In 1845 there were 419 pupils and 35 teachers in the Sunday School.
The congregation decided to build a school with stabling underneath and this was opened in 1857. Part of this building still exists beneath the present old hall which was extended in 1962. You will observe that history is being made with the building of our new hall complex, costing approx. £300,000.”

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