The Donaghmore Presbyterian Church property consists of the church and adjoining premises, the manse and lands attached, and the Donaghmore National Schoolhouse. This property is held by Trustees-all of whom are members of the congregation.

The following were the original trustees of the church, with their places of residence so far as known:

Archibald Lowry (Aughnacavan), Hugh Waddell (ouley or Curley), Thomas McKee (Granshaw), Archibald Murdock (Lisnaree), Robert Crawford (Finnards), John Campbell (Corcreeghy), John Martin (Loughorne), David Ellison (Granshaw), James Cochran (Ouley), John Morrison )Ardkeeragh), Hugh Marshall (Tullymurry), and Isaac Patterson. It is now a century and a half since the lease was made, and of the original trustees only two representatives remain in the congregation.

Archilbald Lowry (who died August 1818) was great-grandfather of John Kidd Porter (of Aughnacavan) a member of the present committee of the congregation and legal trustee of the manse property. Archibald Lowry took a prominent part in the affairs of the parish. He was a member of the parish vestry, and was frequently appointed applotter of the church cess (see Vestry Minutes, 1771). One of his sons was a Presbyterian minister, another a doctor in the Royal Navy, while the latter had two sons who became Members of Parliament. One of the family was the Rev. Archilbald Lowry, the House Missionary in Connaught and Munster, who did such heroic work in relieving the sick and suffering during the dark days of the Irish famine, and whose nephew, the Rev. J.W.S. Lowry, is at present the well-known Presbyterian minister of Fitzroy Harbour, Ontario, Canada.

Archilbald Murdock was great-grandfather of Archibald Murdock who is at present a member of the Session. For upwards of one hundred years there seems to have been an unbroken succession of ruling elders in the Murdock family.

Hugh Marshall (one of the Buskhill Marshalls) was great-grandfather of the late Hugh Marshall of Tullymurry, who died November 11, 1911. He (the latter) was a member of the Session and evinced the keenest interest in all that concerned the welfare of the congregation. He was considered the local Presbyterian historian, and probably knew more about the history of the congregation that any other of his contemporaries. He and much natural ability and a tenacious memory. He possessed but few books, but what he had were used. His constant companions were the ‘Records’ of the Synod of Ulster, the ‘Reports’ of the General Assembly, and the Belfast Witness. He had many peculiar views on things in general (excepting religion), mostly based on what he called ‘own theories’! and yet, not withstanding, he was sometimes able to arrive at fairly correct conclusions-which, when once formed, nothing could shake. He was a well-known character in Donaghmore and neighbourhood, which he considered ‘the centre of creation,’ while the Presbyterian church in his estimation was quite as important as ST. Paul’s Cathedral!

He usually wore a singular costume-portion of which was ‘waterproof’ cape-composed of coarse sackcloth. He had strange views regarding diet and modes of living, which did not minister to health; but he professed to know more than the doctors! Poor man, he suffered much in his latter years, which were sad and lonely, though he had many friends who would have gladly come to his help, if permitted. He was a kind Christian man, with a warm heart, and most charitable to the sick poor. The writer is indebted to him for much local information, which was gratefully accepted when such was not based on ‘theory!’

John Martin, one of the original trustees, was grandfather of the John Martin of Repeal fame, while another, John Morrison, was grandfather of the late Dr. Morrison of Newry.

The following are the present trustees in whom the church, manse and schoolhouse are legally vested:

Joseph Gordon Young, John Kidd Porter, James Smith, Joseph McMinn. Deceased Trustees: Robert McComb, Joseph Malcolmson, and Samuel Murdock. (Thomas Copeland’s trusteeship lapsed, he having ceased to be a member of the congregation).

The erection of the manse (in the townland of Loughorne) was completed in 1867, at a cost of 860 pounds.

The site was promised April 11, 1860, by John Martin (the landlord), who laid the foundation stone, June 8, 1864. Five statute acres of land are attached, which was purchased out under the Land Act of 1907, and in consequence the annual rental has been reduced by about 2 pounds per annum.

The manse is a fairly handsome building, while the grounds (of good extent) are well planted with trees and shrubs. The building of a manse had long been contemplated by the congregation. On Sunday February 3, 1850, James Martin ‘moved the whole congregation into a Committee’ (James Harshaw presiding) in order to take into consideration the erection of a manse, when 100 pounds was subscribed. Again on November 20, 1860, the committee warmly took up the matter, when 106 pounds was promised. (Harshaw Diary)

The manse is kept in proper repair, and, as it should be, at the expense of the congregation. Quite recently about 80 pounds was expended on repairs-the amount being liquidated through the efforts of Mrs. Burnett assisted by members of the congregation.

The Presbyterian church officers at this date (1918) are as follows: Session-James Donnelly (Sheepbridge House) and Archilbald Murdock (Lisnaree). Committee-James Smith, J. Gordon Young, Joseph McMinn, Hugh McMaster, Samuel Clegg, Robert Copeland, John K. Porter, Robert W. Shannon, William Cummins, Isaac H. Smyth (Treasurer), John Irwin (Secretary), Joseph Henning, Robert H. Megaw, James Malcolmson, Samuel Donaldson, Alexander S. Dillon, and William Fletcher.

In this connection it will be interesting to note the members of Committee of the congregation for the year 1848, viz. Joseph McNeight, John Cowan, jnr., Archibald Marshall, Alexander Linden, Thomas Walsh, Joseph Smith, James Walsh, John McMaster, John Marshall, John Porter, Thomas Marshall, James Skillen, William Beck, David Weir, James Todd, Edward Jardine, John Harshaw (Secretary), Alexander Douglas, William Heslip (Curley), W. Heslip (Ardarragh), Joseph Robinson, William Lowry, Wm. Sloan, Thos. Greer, Archibald Murdock, A. Crawford, Thos. Ward, Wm. Porter (Croan), Wm. Crawford, Joseph Watterson, Wm. Spiers, Robert McMinn, Samuel Andrews, Robert Jeffrey, Samuel Clegg, Robt. Craig, John Andrew, John Higgins (?), Robert McClelland, James Dickey, James Morrow, ……..Parker, John Martin (Treasurer),………Irvine, and James Martin.

This large and influential committee was undoubtedly representative of the congregation at the time, which was then extremely numerous as compared with what it is at present. Indeed, it is scarcely more that a fragment of what it was in former times- having suffered , like most country congregations, through emigration and the flocking of the people to the great centres of industry in large towns.

The Presbyterian Church of Donaghmore is in a healthy condition financially and otherwise. Throughout its long history it has occupied an important position in the annals of Ulster Presbyterianism and deservedly so, as having been true to its traditions in faithfully bearing aloft the ‘Blue Banner of the Covenant,’ while during all those years its moral and spiritual condition has been in keeping with the appropriate motto of the great Communion in which it has an honoured place, viz. Ardens sed Virens.

From Rev. J. Davison Cowan's book titled "Donaghmore, An Ancient Irish Parish, Past & Present" published in 1914.

Note:  From what can be found, the definition of a "Manse" is the home of the minister of the Church.