Balloo crossroads,Killinchy village

This area was originally owned by the White family c. 1609. It had a wind mill in 1833 which was on the highest point of this parish, 258 feet above sea level, also a reading & farming society library. In 1833 the town was described as miserably small and poor with fine well cultivated land around it.There were 17 one-storey houses, thatched & one two-storey house, slate roofed also two grocers & spirit dealers, 3 shoemakers, 1 tailor, 2 policemen, 2 smiths & 1 nailor. The fair was held once a quarter but was poorly attended. The male & female school was erected in 1825 . In 1871 there were 831 Catholic & 4020 Protestant families in the parish. The parish population in 1910 was 3139.

Newspaper articles from Down Recorder;
police barracks 5 Aug 1837: cattle show 12 Aug 1837: Poor Law district population was 3195 in 30 Nov 1839; great failure of potato crop in this area 1 Nov 1845*; rent reduction 2 Mar 1850: tenants rights meeting 17 Jul 1852: sale of ‘Ardview’ 10 Sep 1853: SS teachers leaving for USA 3 Jun 1854;To be let, windmill, flax mill 7 Apr 1855; windmill, scutch mill and kilns to let 30 Oct 1858;To be let, windmill, scutch mill, kilns, stores, cottage & land 21 Jul 1866; new Masonic hall 2 Jul 1870; serious case of infanticide 18 Oct 1879

Newspaper articles from Northern Independent;
oyster beds 26 Oct 1872

Newspaper articles from Newtownards Chronicle;
murder at Killinchy 4 Jul 1874 ; Farming Society annjual show 24 Jul 1875 ; farmer murdered by his servant 1 Mar 1879 ; breach of promise case 14 Mar 1891; tenant farmers assoc 4 Jun 1892; graveyard dispute 22 Jul 1893

Killinchy Church of Ireland
at the north end of the village of Killinchy on top of a hill with views of Strangford Lough

This parish church was built on the site of an older Catholic chapel. The old Church of Ireland was called 'the Visible Church' because of its location. It was dilapidated so a new church was built 1829-1830 at a cost of £800. The rector in 1830 was Rev. Henry Ward. The new church was described in 1836 as a neat, well finished building with a tower & gallery. It was capable of holding 300 people with the usual summer attendance of 200. The Glebe House described in 1836 as a very neat, comfortable house adjoined the church with 12 acres. Rev. Arhcibald Hamilton Trail was rector here for many years c. 1820. The rector in 1910 was Rev. Dr. Burton.

1st Presbyterian Church
in Balloo townland

In 1662 the Presbyterian minister, Michael Bruce, was ordered to exile himself to the "wild woods of Killinchy". The earliest Presbyterian minister of Killinchy, the Rev. John Livingstone, was rector ( 1630-1635 ) and after troubled times a separate meeting house was finally built in 1670. The present T-shaped building was erected in 1714 and extended in 1739 as the following inscription over one of the doors indicates:- "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools. A. D. 1739 " The church divided on doctrine but 600 people remained and the others built another meeting house in another part of the townland.The minister in 1798 was Rev. David Bailie Warden. In 1836 it was described as being capable of holding 900 people with 107 seats. The Anderson Memorial Hall is on the left. The minister in 1910 was Rev. D.R. Moore from Belfast & Rev William Smyth who lived at the Manse , Hollypark. c. 1910-1940, the minister was Rev S. Eaton.(DR)

Newspaper articles from Down Recorder:
new organ & electricity installed 9 Apr 1928* ; congregation wishes its minister Rev W.A. Montgomery to decline a move to Black Rock 14 May 1936*

Records available are baptisms 1812- 1837 & births 1835- 1900, marriages 1812- 1845, PRONI MIC/1P/404; Killyleagh Library holds baptisms 1812-1854, marriages 1812-1854 ; LDS have baptisms 1813 -1837 & marriages 1812 - 1842 on film #823877; & Film #822877; North of Ireland FHS (www.nifhs.org) has baptisms1812 -1923 & marriages 1813 -1922; burying ground attached; gravestones inscriptions in UHF Vol 6 ; email me for a gravestone look-up
This photo was kindly sent to me by Bruce McCullough

Presbyterian Non Subscribing Church (Remonstrant)

in Balloo townland, on the Killinchy to Saintfield road

This Non Subscribing Meeting House was built when they split with the 1st Presbyterian over doctrine. Firstly a wattle church was built in 1670 and the next in 1711 with another in 1740 & another church during the ministry of Rev.George McEwen. The minister in 1797 was Rev. Samuel Watson. In 1836 it was described as being built in the form of a cross and capable of holding 700 people. The congregation was turned out after seven years of litigation with the Synod of Ulster but they then took only a week to build another wooden structure which held 700 people. The present church was built in 1846. Rev. John McCaw was minister for 29 years until his death in 1884. The minister in 1910 was Rev. D.J. Williams.

Records at PRONI CR/4/7; North of Ireland FHS (www.nifhs.org) has baptisms1812 -1923 & marriages 1813 -1922; graveyard attached. It is said that , families cut hollows in the earth to define their burying space