Killaney Parish Church

St. Andrews Church of Ireland, Boardmills
on the corner of Carricknaveagh Road

The vicar 1817-1820 was Rev. Charles Hamilton & in 1830 was Rev. William Boyd. In 1836 it was described as a small church. The curate held public worship at Killaney townland on Sundays with an average attendance of 12 people & occasionally in Carrickneveagh schoolhouse. The yearly tithe was £8. Rev. James Milligan, vicar, died 6 Nov 1856. The present church was built in 1867.

Newspaper articles from Down Recorder;
the curate Rev. W. Graham died 8 Jul 1848; consecration of parish church 20 Apr 1867; baptisms 1846- 1925,

graveyard attached; gravestone inscriptions UHF Vol 2 ; email me for a gravestone look-up

1st Presbyterian Church, Boardmills

The first settlers in this area attended 1st Saintfield Presbyterian church. Their first request for their own preacher was turned down. After a disagrrement over the new minister in Saintfield they broke away. This congregation was established as a secession church in 1749 and the present building ,on the right ,was built by Rev. Joseph Longmoor in 1802. On a tablet over the door is inscribed "This house was built 1802 , the Revd. Joseph Longmoor, Minister". In 1809 the congregation dissented again and built a new church down the road. (see below) The hall on the left was donated by John McKee of New York in 1826. James Robinson was the ruling elder here for many years prior to his death in 1838

Newspaper article from Down Recorder;
article meeting house 8 Apr 1843;

baptisms 1782- 1889, marriages 1782- 1844 & 1851-1870, try www.familysearch.org Batch # C700011; graveyard nearby, gravestone inscriptions UHF Vol 2;oldest date of death on a headstone is 1778; email me for a gravestone look-up

2nd Presbyterian Church, Boardmills
at the western end of the street

The congregation separated from First Boardmills Presbyterian in 1809 , though both were secession congregations. Withdrawing members were paid £350 if they resigned claims to the previous meeting house. They used these funds to build their own church just down the road. The land was given by John Dunwoody of Carrickmadyroe. The stone over the church door has the words "Associate Secession Church built in 1813 for Christ's free men". The last phrase was used in the bitter dispute that accompanied the division of the Churches. The minister from 1827-1855 was Rev. John Downes (EPC p19) . 1,100 Scotch Dissenters attended this meeting house in 1836. Joined with the 3rd Boardmills Presbyterian in 1926 with Rev Robert Kelso as the minister. (2 Jun 1925DR*)

Records available are baptisms 1836- 1866, try www.familysearch.org Batch #C700091; graveyard attached, gravestone inscriptions UHF Vol 2; The oldest stone in the graveyard dates from 1821 ; email me for a gravestone look-up

The 3rd or Secession Presbyterian Churchin Boardmills

In Carrickmaddyroe townland. A break away group from 1st Boardmills Presbyterian, The first minister was Rev. Thomas Clugston. The minister from 1811- 1840 Rev. Mr. Sturgeon, whose salary was from the government and the congregation.The church was rebuilt in 1846 with the inscription over the door reading " Boardmills Secession Meeting House, Anno Domini 1846. Gloria Deo, Pax Hominibus". The congregation became reunited with 2nd Boardmills in 1926 with Rev Robert Kelso as the minister. (2 Jun 1925DR*)

Small graveyard attached with oldest stone 1848. Only 8 headstones prior to 1865. Email me for a gravestone look-up or pay per view gravestone inscriptons on www.irishgenealogy.ie

The Sexton's job at Boardmills Presbyterian Secession Church in 1911
Memorandum of Agreement made and entered into this Tenth Day of February in the Year of Our Lord 1911 between the Session and Committee of Boardmills Session Church in the County of Down of the one part and William Johnston of Lisbane in the County of Down, labourer, of the other part.

Whereas the said congregation required the services of a sexton and such notice was duly given out in the said congregation and whereas the said William Johnston made application and was duly elected and appointed by the said before- mentioned Session and Committee to the position of sexton in the said Church, now this agreement witnessed that the said congregation the use and occupation of the dwelling house situate in the grounds of the said church, also ten shillings at each communion , also a special collection to be taken up on his behalf every year and also the grass of the grounds of the said congregation. The said William Johnston is to pay to the Session and Committee the sum of one shilling per year as rent for the before mentioned dwelling house.

The said William Johnston is to keep the Meeting House and premises in good order, that is to say he is to wash the seats, floor, windows and doors of the said church at least twice a year; to clean and sweep said church once a week; to open the windows of said church once a week; to light lamps and fires in both church and adjoining hall when required so to do by Session and Committee; to dress the hedges belonging to the church; to assist the people to unyoke and yoke their horses when coming to public worship and to do all further and necessary work which may appertain or belong to the duty of a sexton when ordered to do so by Session and Committee and also to keep the stable and graveyard clear of fowl at all times.

The said William Johnston is to leave the said dwelling house and to give up the position of sexton of the said church on receiving three months' notice from the Session and Committee of the said church and if the said William Johnston desires to leave he must give three months' notice to the said Sessions and Committee.

Now the said William Johnston hereby agrees with the said Session and Committee of said congregation that he will perform all the above mentioned work.

William Johnston (X signed his mark,) Sexton
James Foreman, Member of Session, Member of Committee
Witnesses present at time of signing;
Andrew Wylie
Isabella Foreman