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Former Moderators

The Moderator is the senior office bearer and principle public representative of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The current Moderator is the Right Reverend Dr Sam Mawhinney, the minister of Adelaide Road Presbyterian Church in Dublin. Selected as Moderator-Designate on the first Tuesday in February each year by PCI’s 19 regional presbyteries meeting across Ireland, Moderators serve for one year having been formally elecected by the General Assembly in June. Dr Mawhinney is the first Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland to come from a congregation in the Republic of Ireland since the year 2000, when Rev Dr Trevor Morrow of Lucan Presbyterian Church in County Dublin was elected.

Seven Moderators have, however, served two terms of office:

  • Rev Henry Cooke: 1841-1842 & 1862-1863
  • Rev John Rogers: 1863-1864 & 1864-1865
  • Rev David Wilson: 1865-1866 & 1866-1867
  • Rev Richard Smyth: 1869-1870 & 1870-1871
  • Rev William Johnston: 1872-1873 & 1873-1874
  • Rev W Todd Martin: 1893-1894 & 1894-1895
  • Rev Dr David Bruce: 2020-2021 & 2021-2022

While all Moderators are ordained ministers of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, some have come from a position outside of parish ministry, having served the Church in a senior administrative capacity as Clerk of the General Assembly, principal of PCI's theological college, or some other recognised role. Since 1840 two Moderators have been missionaries: Rev Robert Montgomery, who was in India from 1842-1877 and elected in 1867, while Rev John Davey was called to India from 1932-1967, and served as Moderator from 1962 to 1963.

In recognition of their nomination to this high office, before each General Assembly Moderators-Designate are honoured by the Presbyterian Theological Faculty, Ireland with an honorary doctorate of divinity. While in office, each Moderator is styled the 'Right Reverend Dr', abbreviated to 'Rt Rev Dr'. Following their year in office they are styled 'Very Reverend Dr', abbreviated to 'Very Rev Dr'.

The following is a list of all Moderators of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland since the establishment of the denomination in 1840.

Meeting

Year

Name and Residence
of Moderator

Date of Decease
Belfast 1840 Rev. Samuel Hanna, D.D., Belfast April 23, 1852
Belfast 1841 Rev. Henry Cooke,  D.D., LL.D., Belfast Dec. 13, 1868
Belfast 1842 Rev. John Edgar, D.D. (LL.D.), Belfast Aug. 26, 1866
Belfast 1843 Rev. Robert Stewart, D.D., Broughshane Sept. 26, 1852
Londonderry 1844 Rev. John Brown, D.D., Aghadowey Mar. 27, 1873
Dublin 1845 Rev. James Carlile, D.D., Dublin Mar. 31, 1854
Belfast 1846 Rev. James Morgan (D.D.), Belfast Aug. 5, 1873
Belfast 1847 Rev. William McClure, Londonderry Feb. 22, 1874
Belfast 1848 Rev. Henry Jackson Dobbin, D.D., Ballymena April, 15, 1853
Belfast 1849 Rev. John Barnett, D.D., Moneymore Jany. 4, 1880
Belfast 1850 Rev. William Bailey Kirkpatrick (D.D.), Dublin Sept. 23, 1882
Belfast 1851 Rev. John Coulter, D.D., Gilnahirk May 26, 1877
Armagh 1852 Rev. John Bleckley, A.M., Monaghan Dec. 1, 1873
Belfast 1853 Rev. Henry William  Molyneux, D.D., Larne Aug. 23, 1871
Belfast 1854 Rev. David Hamilton, Belfast Jan. 13, 1860
Dublin 1855 Rev. Robert Allen, A.M., Ballina April 1, 1865
Belfast 1856 Rev. Robert Wilson, D.D., Belfast Oct. 11, 1859
Belfast 1857 Rev. Alexander Porter Gowdy, D.D., Strabane Dec. 14, 1858
Londonderry 1858 Rev.  John Johnston, A.M., (D.D.)., Tullylish Oct. 16, 1862
Dublin 1859 Rev. William Gibson, D.D., Belfast June 7, 1867
Belfast 1860 Rev. Samuel Marcus Dill, D.D., Ballymena May 11, 1870
Belfast 1861 Rev. John Macnaughtan, A.M., Belfast May 27, 1884
Belfast 1862 Rev. Henry Cooke, D.D., LL.D., Belfast Dec. 13, 1868
Belfast 1863 Rev. John Rogers (D.D.) Comber July 4, 1886
Belfast 1864 Rev. John Rogers (D.D.) Comber July 4, 1886
Belfast 1865 Rev. David Wilson, D.D., Limerick Dec. 4, 1898
Belfast 1866 Rev. David Wilson, D.D., Limerick Dec. 4, 1898
Dublin 1867 Rev. Robert Montgomery, Surat, India Nov. 3, 1880
Belfast 1868 Rev. Charles Lucas Morell (D.D.), Dungannon Jan. 20, 1896
Belfast 1869 Rev. Richard Smyth (D.D.), Londonderry Dec. 4, 1878
Belfast 1870 Rev. Richard Smyth (D.D.), Londonderry Dec 4, 1878
Dublin 1871 Rev. Lowry Edmonds Berkeley, Lurgan Dec. 10, 1882
Belfast 1872 Rev. William Johnston (D.D.), Belfast Jan. 10, 1894
Belfast 1873 Rev. William Johnston (D.D.), Belfast Jan. 10, 1894
Belfast 1874 Rev. William Magill (D.D.), Cork June, 15, 1892
Londonderry 1875 Rev. Josias Leslie Porter, D.D., LL.D., Belfast Mar. 16, 1889
Belfast 1876 Rev. John Meneely (D.D.), Belfast Jan. 23, 1887
Belfast 1877 Rev. George Billis (D.D.), Belfast Aug. 17, 1885
Belfast 1878 Rev. T. Witherow, D.D. (LL.D.), Londonderry Jan. 25, 1890
Belfast 1879 Rev. Robert Watts, D.D., (LL.D.), Belfast July 26, 1895
Belfast 1880 Rev. Jackson Smyth, D.D., Armagh Oct. 11, 1890
Dublin 1881 Rev. William Fleming Stevenson, D.D., Rathgar Sept. 16, 1886
Belfast 1882 Rev. Thomas Young Killen, D.D., Belfast Oct. 21, 1880
Belfast 1883 Rev. Hamilton Brown Wilson (D.D.), Cookstown Nov. 18, 1907
Londonderry 1884 Rev. James M. Rogers, M.A. (D.D.), Londonderry Jan. 31, 1895
Belfast 1885 Rev. James Weir Whigham (D.D.), Ballinasloe July 3, 1890
Belfast 1886 Rev. Robert Ross (D.D.), Londonderry July 1, 1894
Belfast 1887 Rev. John Henry Orr, D.D., Antrim Jan. 23, 1895
Belfast 1888 Rev. Robert John Lynd, B.A. (D.D.), Belfast Nov. 17, 1906
Belfast 1889 Rev. William Clarke, B.A., Bangor April 26, 1892
Belfast 1890 Rev. William Park, M.A. (D.D.), LL.D., Belfast June 5, 1925
Belfast 1891 Rev. N. McA. Brown, D.D. (LL.D.), Limavady June 2, 1910
Dublin 1892 Rev. R. McCheyne Edgar, M.A. (D.D.), Dublin Feb. 22, 1903
Belfast 1893 Rev. W. Todd Martin, M.A., D.D., D.Litt., Belfast Oct. 20, 1915
Belfast 1894 Rev. W. Todd Martin, M.A., D.D., D.Litt., Belfast Oct. 20, 1915
Belfast 1885 Rev. G. Raphael Buick, M.A.,  LL.D., Cullybackey April 28, 1904
Belfast 1896 Rev. Henry McIlree Williamson, D.D., Belfast Dec. 28, 1898
Belfast 1897 Rev. Matthew Leitch, M.A., D.D., D.Litt., Belfast April 30, 1922
Belfast 1898 Rev. William Beatty, B.A., (D.D.), Knock Nov. 16, 1923
Belfast 1899 Rev. David Alex Taylor, M.A. (D.D.), Belfast Oct. 8, 1941
Dublin 1900 Rev. John McC. Hamilton, A.M., (D.D.), Dublin Jan. 17, 1915
Belfast 1901 Rev. James Heron, B.A., D.D., Belfast April 18, 1918
Belfast 1902 Rev. John Edgar Henry, M.A., D.D., Londonderry Feb. 13, 1911
Belfast 1903 Rev. John MacDermott, M.A., (D.D.), Belfast Mar. 10, 1927
Dublin 1904 Rev. Samuel Prenter, M.A., D.D., LL.D., Dublin Jan. 1, 1920
Belfast 1905 Rev. William McMordie, M.A., D.D., Kilkeel Feb. 26, 1928
Belfast 1906 Rev. William McKean, D.D., Belfast Nov. 2, 1917
Belfast 1907 Rev. William Davidson, M.A., D.D., Glennan Mar. 17, 1922
Belfast 1908 Rev. John McIlveen, B.A., D.D., Belfast Aug. 31, 1914
Belfast 1909 Rev. John Courtenay Clarke, B.A., D.D., Galway Oct. 22, 1917
Belfast 1910 Rev. John Howard Murphy, M.A., D.D., Cork Jan. 1, 1923
Belfast 1911 Rev. John Macmillan, B.A., D.D., Belfast Dec. 19, 1934
Belfast 1912 Rev. Henry Montgomery, M.A., D.D., Belfast Feb. 17, 1941
Belfast 1913 Rev. William J. Macaulay, B.A., D.D., Portadown Sept. 21, 1940
Belfast 1914 Rev. James Bingham, M.A., D.D., Dundonald Nov. 20, 1930
Belfast 1915 Rev. Thomas M. Hamill, M.A., D.D., Belfast Feb. 17, 1919
Belfast 1916 Rev. Thomas West, B.A., D.D., Antrim Dec. 27, 1920
Belfast 1917 Rev. John Irwin, M.A., D.D., Belfast Nov. 24, 1932
Belfast 1918 Rev. James McGranahan, B.A., D.D., Londonderry April 5, 1940
Belfast 1919 Rev. J.M. Simms, C.B., C.M.G., D.D., LL.D., K.H.C., N'ards April 29, 1934
Belfast 1920 Rev. H. Patterson Glenn, A.B., Bray Sept. 12, 1923
Belfast 1921 Rev. W.J. Lowe, M.A., D.D., LL.D., Belfast Mar. 18, 1931
Belfast 1922 Rev. W.G. Strahan, D.D., Newry Jan. 27, 1933
Belfast 1923 Rev. George Thompson, D.D., Belfast Sept. 1, 1946
Belfast 1924 Rev. R.W. Hamilton, M.A., D.D., Lisburn Oct. 12, 1935
Belfast 1925 Rev. Thomas Haslett, M.A., D.D., Ballymena Aug. 1, 1947
Belfast 1926 Rev. R.K. Hanna, M.A., D.D., Dublin April 29, 1947
Belfast 1927 Rev. James Thompson, B.A., D.D., Londonderry July 13, 1938
Belfast 1928 Rev. T.A. Smyth, M.A., LL.B., D.D., Belfast Feb. 17, 1936
Dublin 1929 Rev. J.L. Morrow, M.A., D.D., Dublin May 6, 1940
Belfast 1930 Rev. Edward Clarke, M.A., D.D., Strabane Mar. 12, 1951
Belfast 1931 Rev. James G. Paton, M.C., M.A., D.D., Belfast Feb. 22, 1936
Belfast 1932 Rev. James J. Macauley, B.A., D.D., Dublin Feb. 7, 1951
Londonderry 1933 Rev. William Corkey, M.A., D.D., Belfast Feb. 20, 1964
Belfast 1934 Rev. T.M. Johnstone, B.A., D.D., Belfast Aug. 21, 1961
Belfast 1935 Rev. A.F. Moody, M.A., D.D., Belfast Dec. 2, 1961
Belfast 1936 Rev. F.W.S. O'Neill, M.A., D.D., Belfast Oct. 7, 1952
Belfast 1937 Rev. John Waddell, M.A., D.D., Belfast Feb. 26, 1949
Belfast 1938 Rev. W.J. Currie, B.A., D.D., Bangor June 2, 1959
Belfast 1939 Rev. Prof. James Haire, M.A., D.D., Belfast Oct. 12, 1959
Belfast 1940 Rev. J.B. Woodburn, M.A., D.D., Belfast Sept. 26, 1957
Belfast 1941 Rev. W.A. Watson, M.A., D.D., Belfast Jan. 19, 1953
Belfast 1942 Rev.  W.M. Kennedy, B.A., D.D., Londonderry July 17, 1945
Belfast 1943 Rev. Phineas McKee, B.A., D.D., Newry Nov. 9, 1943
Belfast 1944 Rev. Andrew Gibson, M.C., B.A., D.D., Cork April 24, 1952
Belfast 1945 Rev. Prof. Robert Corkey, P.C., M.A., Ph.D., Belfast Jan. 26, 1966
Belfast 1946 Rev. Thomas Byers, M.A., D.D., Dublin Oct. 22, 1964
Belfast 1947 Rev. Robert Boyd, B.A., D.D., Belfast Oct. 14, 1957
Belfast 1948 Rev. Alfred W. Neill, M.A., D.D., Armagh Oct. 31, 1948
Belfast 1949 Rev. Gordon D. Erskine, B.A., D.D., Belfast Oct. 24, 1957
Belfast 1950 Rev. J.H.R. Gibson, O.B.E., M.A., D.D., Belfast Sept. 23, 1989
Belfast 1951 Rev. Hugh McIlroy, B.A., D.D., Ryans Dec. 3, 1970
Belfast 1952 Rev. John K.L. McKean, M.A., D.D., Comber Mar. 26, 1964
Belfast 1953 Rev. Principal J.E. Davey, M.A., D.D., Belfast Dec. 17, 1960
Belfast 1954 Rev. John Knowles, B.A., D.D., Tullylish Dec. 9, 1957
Belfast 1955 Rev. James C. Breakey, B.A., D.D., Belfast June 26, 1970
Belfast 1956 Rev. T.M. Barker, M.A., D.D., Donegal Aug. 19, 1967
Belfast 1957 Rev. Principal R.J. Wilson, M.A., D.D., Belfast April 29, 1981
Dublin 1958 Rev. Wm. McAdam, M.A., D.D., Newry Feb. 21, 1969
Belfast 1959 Rev. T.A.B.  Smyth, B.A., D.D., Dublin Jan. 15, 1990
Belfast 1960 Rev. Austin A. Fulton, M.A., Ph.D., D.D., Belfast Aug. 15, 1986
Belfast 1961 Rev. W.A.A. Park, M.A., D.D., Ballygilbert Feb. 10, 1992
Belfast 1962 Rev. John H. Davey, B.A., D.D., India Sept. 20, 1984
Belfast 1963 Rev. W.A. Montgomery, M.A., D.D., Londonderry July 6, 1985
Belfast 1964 Rev. James Dunlop, M.A., D.D., Belfast June 8, 1980
Belfast 1965 Rev. S. James Park, M.A., D.D., Kingstown March 21, 1986
Belfast 1966 Rev. Alfred Martin, B.A., D.D., Belfast May 21, 1987
Belfast 1967 Rev. William Boyd, M.A., D.D., Lisburn July 8, 2003
Belfast 1968 Rev. John H. Withers, B.A., D.D., Belfast Feb. 21, 1992
Dublin 1969 Rev. John T. Carson, B.A., D.D., Bangor March 15, 1990
Belfast 1970 Rev. Principal J.L.M. Haire, M.A., M.Th., D.D., Belfast July 1, 1985
Belfast 1971 Rev. F. Rupert Gibson, B.A., D.D., Belfast Dec. 20, 1971
Belfast 1972 Rev. R.V.A. Lynas, B.A., D.D., Larne June 20, 2015
Belfast 1973 Rev. J.W. Orr, B.A., D.D., Belfast March 30, 1990
Belfast 1974 Rev. G. Temple Lundie, M.A., LL.B., D.D., Armagh Nov. 6, 1992
Belfast 1975 Rev. G.F.H. Wynne, B.A., D.D., Derry July 23, 1975
Belfast 1976 Rev. A.J. Weir, M.Sc., D.D., Belfast Sept. 18, 2000
Belfast 1977 Rev. T.A. Patterson, B.A., D.D., Portaferry Sept. 28, 1991
Belfast 1978 Rev. David Burke, B.A., D.D., Bangor March, 8, 2011
Belfast 1979 Rev. W.M. Craig, M.A., B.D., D.D., Portadown Feb.  10, 2017
Belfast 1980 Rev. R.G. Craig, B.A., D.D., Carrickfergus June 1, 2009
Belfast 1981 Rev. John Girvan, B.A., D.D., Lurgan Aug. 21, 2002
Belfast 1982 Rev. E.P. Gardner, B.A., D.D., Ballymena Apr. 06, 2007
Dublin 1983 Rev. T.J. Simpson, M.A., LL.B., Dip.Ed., D.D., D.Litt., N’ards Feb. 26, 2009
Belfast 1984 Rev. Howard Cromie, M.A., B.D., D.D., Lisburn Oct. 6, 2017
Belfast 1985 Rev. R. Dickinson, M.A., B.D., Ph.D., Th.D., D.D., Tobermore Dec. 13, 1996
Belfast 1986 Rev. Prof. John Thompson, B.A., B.D., Ph.D., D.D., Belfast May 30, 2010
Belfast 1987 Rev. Wm. Fleming, B.A., D.D., Belfast Dec. 17, 1999
Belfast 1988 Rev. A.W.G. Brown, B.A., B.D., Ph.D.,  Litt..D., D.D., Ballycastle    
Belfast 1989 Rev. James A. Matthews, B.A., B.D., D.D., Lurgan July 19, 2015
Belfast 1990 Rev. Principal R.F.G. Holmes, M.A., M.Litt., D.D., Belfast July 14, 2008
Dublin 1991 Rev. Rodney Sterritt, B.A., D.D., Newtownards    
Belfast 1992 Rev. John Dunlop, C.B.E., B.A., B.D., D.D., LL.D., Belfast    
Belfast 1993 Rev. Andrew R. Rodgers, M.A., D.D., Dungannon June  29, 2022
Belfast 1994 Rev. David J. McGaughey, B.A.,D.D., Kilkeel Feb.  1, 2021
Belfast 1995 Rev. John Ross, B.A., D.D., Holywood Aug. 31, 2015
Belfast 1996 Rev. D.H. Allen, M.A., B.D. D.D., Coleraine June 21, 2023
Belfast 1997 Rev. Samuel Hutchinson, B.A., B.D., M.Th., D.D., Lisburn Nov. 19, 2021
Belfast 1998 Rev. S. John Dixon, B.A., D.D., Antrim    
Belfast 1999 Rev. J.W. Lockington, B.A., B.D., M.Th., Ph.D., D.D., Larne    
Belfast 2000 Rev. T.W.J. Morrow, M.A., B.D., M.Th., Ph.D., D.Litt., D.D., Lucan    
Belfast 2001 Rev. H.A. Dunlop, B.A., B.D., D.D., Knock    
Belfast 2002 Rev. R.I. Birney, B.A., B.D., D.Min., D.D., Ballymena    
Belfast 2003 Rev. I.A. McKay, B.A., B.D., D.D., Dundonald    
Belfast 2004 Rev. K.N.E. Newell, B.A., B.D., M.Th., D.D., Belfast    
Belfast 2005 Rev. R.E.H. Uprichard, B.A., B.D., M.Th., Ph.D., D.D., Ahoghill    
Belfast 2006 Rev. David Clarke, LL.B., B.D., D.D., Coleraine    
Belfast 2007 Rev. J.M. Finlay, B.A., B.D., D.D., Ballymena    
Belfast 2008 Rev. W.D. Patton, B.S.Sc., B.D., Ph.D., D.D., Randalstown    
Belfast 2009 Rev. J.S. Carson, B.Sc., M.A., MAR., M.Th., D.D, Portadown    
Belfast 2010 Rev. T.N. Hamilton, O.B.E., B.A., B.D., D.D., Belfast    
Belfast 2011 Rev. I.J. Patterson, B.A., M.Th., D.D., Newcastle    
Belfast 2012 Rev. R.A. Patton, B.A., B.D., D.D., Ballygilbert    
Londonderry 2013 Rev. R.L. Craig, B.A., B.D., D.Min., D.D., Kilfennan    
Belfast 2014 Rev. M.A. Barry, B.A., B.D., D.Min., D.D., Newry    
Belfast 2015 Rev. D.I.J McNie, B.D., D.D., Ballymoney    
Belfast 2016 Rev. F.P Sellar, B.A., B.D., P.G.C.E., M.Min., D.D., Belfast    
Belfast 2017 Rev. J.N.I McNeely, B.Ed., B.D., D.D., Holywood    
Belfast 2018 Rev. C.J.C McMullen M.A., M.Lit., B.D.,D.D., Bangor    
Belfast 2019 Rev. W.J Henry B.Sc., B.D., D.D., Maze    
Cancelled* 2020 Rev. D.J Bruce B.Sc., B.D., D.D., Lisburn    
Belfast 2021 Rev. D.J Bruce B.Sc., B.D., D.D., Lisburn    
Belfast 2022 Rev J.A Kirkpatrick Dip. Th.,B.Sc., D.D, Portrush    

 

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