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"We thank you and praise you for all time to come' is the theme chosen by Presbyterians in Ballybay to celebrate 300 years of congregational life in the County Monaghan town.
'Rather than mark the occasion with one special event we have chosen to have a series of smaller events, some of which remind us of our history and others which carry our witness into the local community and beyond,' explained First Ballybay's minister Rev David Nesbitt.
Around 1690 Presbyterians began worshipping at Derryvalley, about a mile outside Ballybay and towards the end of the decade a congregation was formed and a minister called and worship and congregational life have continued since then, first in an old thatched building and then in from 1786 in the present church building.
During the 18th century the numbers of Presbyterians grew and a new congregation was established nearby at Cahans and in 1800 another church was established at Derryvalley. In 1972 Cahans and Derryvalley were united with First Ballybay to form todays congregation.
Outstanding members and ministers of the congregations include Hope Waddell who was the first known Irish Presbyterian missionary to Jamaica in 1829 and Rev William Gibson who subsequently a theological professor of high renown and Moderator of the General Assembly. Another notable event in the congregation's history was the Cahans Exodus when the first minister Rev Thomas Clark led 300 people from the area to begin a new life in America around 1764.
Celebratory events have already included a visit from the Moderator Dr Sam Hutchinson and a communion service held in the style of the 18th century. During the winter months a series of outreach events are taking place which will culminate with a series of Holy Week services conducted by Rev John Woodside.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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