 Rectors since 1805
 | Rev.Thomas E. Higginson
1805-1810 |
| Rev James Morewood
1810-1826 |
| Rev Robert W.Rowan
1839-1841 |
| Rev Canon Charles Lett
1841-1847 |
| Rev Alexander Orr
1847-1860 |
| Rev Thomas Cosgrave
1860-1871 |
| Rev Thomas Hobson
1872 (3 months) |
| Rev William S Ross
1872-1874 |
| Rev George Yeates
1874-1877 |
| Rev Chancellor B Banks
1877-1929 |
| Rev William J Parr
1930-1953 |
| Rev Canon R E W Thornton
1953-1959 |
| Rev Canon S H McElhinney
1959-1974 |
| Rev Canon R H Lowry
1974-1989 |
| Rev Kenneth McReynolds
1989-present |
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| Historians assure us that there were monastic foundations, in the vicinity of the
present Parish Church, dating from at least the fifteenth century and that a place of
worship was in existence possibly as far back as 1306.
However, the first definite mention of a Church is in 1598. A map of Ulster, made at that
date and now in the possession of the British Museum, has "Lambeg Church"
clearly marked. Besides this, a tombstone bearing the date 1626, has been discovered in
the Churchyard. The fate of the original small church is uncertain, but, it is reported to
have been in a ruinous condition before the beginning of the Civil Wars, which marked the
end of the reign of Charles 1 (1649).
The year 1737 is an important date in the history of the Parish. On September 25th of that
year, Dr Francis Hutchinson, Bishop of Down and Connor, consecrated "the Chapel of
Lambeg" and licensed a Mr Arthur to the curacy. The Church was an oblong building,
measuring sixty feet in length by eighteen and a half feet wide. It accommodated
a
congregation of less than 200. The only part of it remaining is the tower, which was then
surmounted by a wooden cupola complete with weathercock.
The Church was completely rebuilt, with the exception of the tower in 1849 in the
incumbency of the Rev. Alexander Orr. This was necessitated by the rapid growth of the
population with the expansion of the linen industry. The old church was too small and
could accommodate little more than one-fifth of the parishioners.
Just before the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland in 1870, the new church had to be
enlarged to a seating capacity of 480 by the addition of a South aisle. The
east end of
this aisle was used as a chancel up to 1902 when at that date the old chancel was brought
back into use.
The pulpit, sanctuary chairs and lectern were the gift of the then Rector, the
Rev. Chancellor Banks, whose long incumbency dates from 1877 to 1929. The present organ,
erected in the east end of the South aisle in 1903, is the work of Messrs.Conacher and
cost £418. The church bell, purchased from Ballymena Parish in 1895, was cast in 1866.It
weighs 12cwt. The Sexton's house was built at a cost of £210.
The Churchyard was extended in 1921 through a gift of land from Sir Milne Barbour. Over
one and a half acres were added and new paths laid. New entrance gates were erected in
1924 and later a second entrance with a broad avenue leading to the church was
made. There are many old graves and gravestones in the Churchyard, the oldest dating to 1626 and
reading "Here lyeth the body of Margaret Wilson, wife of Donnell Savage, who departed
this life the 24 April 1626".
In 1933, electricity was installed in the church and in 1949 the interior was redecorated.
The Parochial Hall, which was opened in 1937, was a fitting conclusion to a long series of
efforts, dating back to 1922, to raise funds for the project.
In 1946 the derequisitioned school at Tullynacross was presented to the Parish by Sir
Milne Barbour for to be used as a Sunday School as well as other Parish purposes. |
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Some other more recent developments.
|
| 1955 Old school at Church Hill demolished and car park constructed. |
| 1957 New Rectory constructed. |
| 1964 Parochial Hall extended. |
| 1967 Church roof re-slated and major refurbishment of interior of church. |
| 1969 New robing room added. |
| 1976 Major renovation of Church stonework. |
| 2000 Extensive refurbishment of the church interior. |
| 2001 The new Hilden Centre opened.
The industrial 'face' of the Parish has changed greatly in recent decades with the demise
of the linen industry and the disappearance of many of the mills and associated premises.
However, these have been replaced by modern light industry ranging from the manufacture of
soft drinks to Computers and business centres.
To-day Lambeg parish ministers to some 450 families, the majority of whom actually reside
outside the geographical boundaries of the parish.
Much has changed during the centuries of it's history, but it's task remains the same - to
extend God's Kingdom in the hearts and lives of it's people and to encourage worship in
His house.
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