St James Road, Ballymoney,

County Antrim BT53 6BJ

Minister : Rev. Hugh Cubitt BA BD

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About us …….

Service Recordings …..

11.30am

(July & August at 11.00am with  no Evening Service)

Tuesday:

Prayer Meeting @ 8.00pm

House Groups:

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Email: hcubitt@presbyterianireland.org

Rev. Hugh Cubitt BA BD

Manse: 028 2766 3217

Mr Brian Hueston (Treasurer)

Home: 028 27664598

Mobile: 078 4164 3610

Mr Jack Gault (Clerk of Session)

Home: 028 2766 5014

Rev. Ussher

Under the faithful ministry of Mr Ussher, and with the help of zealous elders and other office-bearers, the church grew and prospered. By 1857 the seating accommodation was insufficient, and it became necessary to provide further seating. Accordingly in the next year a gallery was erected.

This enlargement of the church building came at the right time. The year which followed brought that strange and wonderful movement known as the 1859 Revival. As a consequence the church was filled to overflowing. The Coleraine Chronicle tells of a Revival Soiree, held in the church on Tuesday, 10 April 1859. The church was filled to capacity. After tea the meeting became a service of worship, and addresses were given by several local ministers. The presence of the Holy Spirit was manifest, and there were many who expressed repentance and renewal that night.

The ingathering of souls in this and succeeding years led to increased pastoral responsibility, and Mr Ussher and his co-workers did not fail to meet the needs that arose. For forty years the minister served his people faithfully. When his health declined, he resigned his charge, and shortly afterwards, on 23 December 1874, he died at Portrush.

Mr Ussher's was a pioneer ministry. The members of the congregation erected a mural tablet in the vestibule of the church with an appropriate inscription, to perpetuate his memory. His son, Mr J A Ussher, BA, retained his interest in the congregation until his death, and generously bequeathed house property to the congregation for the benefit of the minister.

1986 Church Outing

1986 Church Outing

1986 Choir Members

Rev Thompson

On the resignation of the Rev James Ussher, the congregation immediately sought a successor. They chose Rev Thomas A Thompson, BA, and he was ordained on 24 November 1874. Under Mr Thompson's ministry the congregation continued to prosper. There was no manse at this time, but in the year after Mr Thompson's ordination the manse was built on the road now designated Coleraine Road.

Encouraged by the success of the venture, the congregation in 1887 set about the complete renovation of the church. With a view to raising money to help to pay for this undertaking Mr Thompson visited America. His quest was successful and the debt was liquidated. As some money still remained, it was decided to built a church hall, and this was completed in 1889. Six years after this, Mr Thompson concluded his ministry in Ballymoney, and he died some years later.Towards the end of Mr Thompson's ministry certain problems arose in the congregation.

1987 Girl’s Brigade

1987 Castlewellan Trip

1988 Church Outing

Rev Boyle

It was necessary for the future welfare of the church to secure as minister a man of wisdom and enthusiasm. The choice fell on the Rev D D Boyle MA, who was ordained on 28 January 1896. He was a man worthy of the occasion. The members of the congregation gave loyal support throughout his ministry; and, though it suffered considerably through emigration, its numbers continued to increase.

In 1905 the congregation memorialised the General Assembly to have its name changed. The memorial was approved, and the church now became St. James's church.

Early in 1908 a thorough-going renovation of the church was begun, and was completed the next year. In the meantime,however, on 7 April 1908, Mr Boyle accepted a call to Downshire Road Church, Newry, and brought a very successful ministry in Ballymoney to an end. Shortly before he died, on 29 April 1938, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him.

Rev Johnstone

The Rev T M Johnstone, BA, was called to succeed Mr Boyle, and was ordained on 17 November 1908. His ministry was brief, for on 17 January 1910, he accepted a call to Newington Church, Belfast and until his retirement he remained minister of that congregation. Though Mr Johnstone's stay in Ballymoney was short, it was full of promise. In 1934 the church honoured him by calling him to the Moderatorial chair.

Rev Campton

Rev S J M Compton, BA, BD, was the next minister. He was ordained on 2 August 1910. His ministry also was of short duration; but he too served with distinction. On 6 February 1912, he accepted a call to St. Andrew's Church, Kingston, Canada, where he exercised a successful and fruitful ministry.

There was an evident restlessness in the congregational life at this time. No doubt this was largely due to the termination of three ministries within the short period of four years. It was a challenging situation for a new minister.

Rev Wilson

The Rev R H Wilson, BA, minister of Brookside Church, Ahoghill, courageously accepted the challenge and was installed on 28 May 1912. Then began a long and stable ministry, the kind of ministry the congregation very much needed

Under Mr Wilson's ministry the congregation flourished.

A number of material improvements were effected, e.g., the installation of electric light, and the enlargement of the church hall. The lively, and at times acrimonious debate about instrumental music, which went on throughout the whole Church, had a no less lively, but much more friendly, counterpart in St James's. The members of the congregation,though divided, showed exemplary patience and tolerance, and without undue fuss, an organ was installed in 1927.

Sometime later the ladies of the congregation presented the church with an individual communion service.

Throughout these years the congregation continued to play a worthy part in the religious life of Ballymoney, ably led by their pastor. Towards the end of his ministry Mr Wilson's health gave cause for alarm. The congregation engaged first, the Rev Graham Smith, BA, and then the Rev I C Faulkner, BA, to fill the post of assistant minister.

In spite of this help, Mr Wilson's health continued to deteriorate. Accordingly, in 1945, he retired from the active ministry. He died on 8 January 1950. As a token of the high regard in which he was held, the congregation provided a beautiful mahogany communion table in his honour. It fittingly commemorates a gracious ministry.

Rev Mulree

The Rev John Mulree, BA, BD, after some years of service in the united charge of Irvinestown and Pettigo, was installed in St James's on 4 December 1945.

In recent years the congregation has continued to show its interest in the welfare of the sanctuary. Among many improvements one or two must be mentioned. A fine pipe organ has been installed in memory of the many members who served their country during the two world wars, not a few of whom laid down their lives. The organ was brought into use on Sunday 16 March 1952, and dedicated by the Rt Rev H McIlroy, BA, DD, Moderator of the General Assembly.

The congregation had been aware for years that a new hall was needed for the use of the Sabbath School and other organisations. A certain amount of preparation had already been made. In 1956 it was decided to proceed with the building, and in May 1957, the foundation stone was laid by the Very Rev T M Johnstone, BA, DD. The hall was opened in March 1958, by Lord MacDermott and dedicated by the

Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt Rev R J Wilson, MA, BD. The hall is large and of a pleasing design and is well equipped for all congregational activities.

The members of St James's, past and present, have always been generous in their remembrance of their church.

Numerous donations and bequests show unmistakably the deep affection which inspires the congregation. Though it is impossible here to mention every gift or every name, the congregation is conscious of how greatly it has been esteemed by its friends and its appreciation of the kindness of its benefactors is real and enduring. Perhaps it is sufficient for our present purpose to mention the gift of two beautiful stained-glass windows, the one presented by Mrs E K Currie and the other by the late Mr C Pollock, in memory of their parents: of a lovely baptismal font, given by the Stinson family in memory of their father; and of a matching reading desk given by the Rev Dr James Millar in memory of his mother. These and many other gifts which the congregation has received instil a humble sense of gratitude to generous friends, and above all, a sense of thankfulness to Almighty God.

'Goodwill to all peoples' is the motto of Ballymoney Borough and throughout the ministry of the Rev John Mulree, St James's continued to foster this spirit and members of the congregation were very involved in every aspect of community life.

A significant step in promoting fellowship occurred in 1959 when the old pew-letting system was terminated.

Coupled with a new heating system in the sanctuary this helped to bring greater warmth in different ways.

In the same year special services were held to commemorate the 125th Anniversary. Both services on Sunday 24 May were conducted by Rev H.L. Henry, Minister of Cloughey and Portavogie, son of the Clerk of Session, William Henry.

In February 1968 the Congregational Committee circulated the congregation informing them that their Minister, Rev John Mulree had been offered an exchange of pulpits with an American Minister. Consequently Rev Frank C. Cothrell, a Minister from Oregon with his wife, son and daughter came for almost one year in what became a mutually refreshing experience for both congregations as well as for the ministers and their families.

1990 Sunday School

1990 Youth Club

1990 Social Evening

One of the highlights of Mr Mulree's ministry was the Gala Week in 1976, a most ambitious week-long fund-raising effort (14-23 May). This began shakily with only nineteen attending the initial planning meeting. It soon fired the imagination and gathered enthusiasm resulting in a great community fun week with an event every night - barbecue, variety concert, treasure hunt, country fair and all-day auction

- all carried out in a spirit of friendship and cooperation. The Gala was hailed an outstanding success throughout the community - partly due to the secretary, Jack Pollock's imaginative advertising in the local Press.

Altogether a total of £16,000 was raised which went far to paying off the cost of £21,000 for the new John Mulree Rooms which were opened in June 1978, crowning a steady and scholarly ministry.

Mr Mulree's retirement was marked by a social function in the lecture hall on Wednesday, 3 January 1979. Presenting Mr Mulree with his retirement gift, the Clerk of Session said:

In addition to the church in Ballymoney and the wider church beyond, Mr Mulree took an active interest in the affairs of the community, particularly education, health and welfare, and had voluntarily shouldered more than his fair share of responsibility in those fields.

He always gave himself unstintingly to the task in hand.

The sick and elderly were his special care; he was most faithful in his visitations. He gave devoted service to the congregation and exercised an influence for good on all who knew him'

1991 Girl’s Brigade

1992 Harvest Service

1994 Castlewellan Outing

1994 Castlewellan Outing

1995 Christmas Nativity

2005 Sammy Twaddle’s 90th

2006 Harvest

2006 Choir Celebration

2008 Choir Party

Rev Magowan

It was almost a year before St James's called their eighth minister, the Rev Trevor Magowan, BA, BD, from Loughbrickland and Scarva who was installed on 12 December 1979.

He continued the same inclusive, tolerant spirit of his predecessor, ably assisted by members of the calibre of Wilson Ross, the clerk of session who was a pillar in St James's. He gave himself unsparingly to the church and to the community he loved. As one of the local funeral directors he was a caring father-figure to many. In all this he was constantly supported by his wife, Kathleen, who was fifty five years in St. James's choir, exceeding the forty-two years of the gifted organist and choir-master, Cecil Thompson. For the thirty choir members the Friday night practice was unmissable, a time to enjoy music and fellowship.

The choir took a leading role in the 150th anniversary celebration in 1984. Goodwill was evident in the planning of this event when the special guests were the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Right Rev Dr Tom Simpson and his wife.

They joined four hundred parishioners and their guests for a congregational meal followed by a pageant prepared by the choir in nearby Dalriada School which illustrated the history of St. James's.

Another highlight of this celebratory year was the first of several annual Fun Runs attracting almost two hundred runners aged between fourteen and sixty four who later were treated to supper in the church hall. During the long years of the Troubles, the spectre of terror hung over the Province.

One member of the congregation, Constable Noel Davis,RUC, had been killed in 1976.

However, the Ballymoney district experienced less of the Troubles than other flashpoints. After the horrendous deaths of three British soldiers in Belfast in 1988, Mr Magowan brought different denominations together in Good Friday

Worship, held annually in the Methodist Church which became an ongoing feature. This was supplemented by a "Sing Carols" each Christmas when the different protestant and roman catholic churches went round each other's places of worship carolling and sharing supper in the local Town Hall. Approximately four hundred participated at this time of peace and goodwill.

Another encouraging development in the life of the congregation was the willingness of some members to dedicate themselves to missionary and Christian ministry.

Raymond Shaw and his Dutch wife, Wilna went as missionaries to Albania (1995-2007) while the Rev Samuel Torrens was ordained into the ministry of the Church of Scotland in 1994 serving in parishes in the Black Isle and then in Edinburgh. Tim Magowan served as Christian Aid's first Youth Officer and later became Director of Tearfund, another relief agency to the developing world.

At the start of the new millennium the congregational committee realised the need for additional personnel by appointing a full-time Family and Youth Worker and also a part-time Pastoral Visitor. They were fortunate to acquire the services of the Rev Ronald Wilson, the minister emeritus of Portstewart.

A Care Group had been started in the 1990's to support and visit senior members while a Tuesday Group provided a meeting place for the more mobile who were free to meet during the day.

The church organisations have remained steady with sterling service given by leaders in both Boys' Brigade and Girls' Brigade.

In a secular age and competing with so many other attractions, there has been a decline in Sunday School attendance while numbers at morning worship have dropped to 250 and on alternate Sunday evenings there are now 35.

Despite the fact that numerically St. James's is the biggest congregation in the Route Presbytery with over 530 families, it is regrettable that almost one third are nominal in their allegiance to its life and work and both minister and session realise the need to reach out and relate to them in the community and in their own homes.

During this time (1960-2007) significant construction projects were undertaken after the construction of the large hall in 1958. The presbytery Visitation in 1967 pointed to dampness in the manse, leading to a decision to build a new manse at the specially convened congregational meeting (16 September 1968). Mr and Mrs Mulree moved into their new home on 21 May 1971 This was built by Hugh Taggart and Sons Ltd., Ballymoney at a cost of £20,000 which was paid off by 1977.

By this time plans were being drawn up for a new suite of rooms - the present John Mulree Rooms, built largely by voluntary labour and opened by the Very Rev Dr A. J. Weir, Clerk of the General Assembly on 19 June 1978.

A larger asphalt-surfaced car park was constructed in September 1980 costing almost £7,000 and the main church building was re-slated in May 1981 at a cost of almost £16,000.

St. James's has been a notable historic building. To quote from the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (1972):- 'St James's is a handsome well-proportioned squared basalt church. It has round-headed windows in the upper storey and rectangular in the lower. The Façade has corner quoins, string course and high-gabled pediment.' A major interior renovation had however to be effected in 1985 with a new heating system, new windows, new carpeting, decoration of all surfaces - walls, ceiling, pews. All this cost £100,000 and was dedicated by the Very Rev Dr Ronald Craig on Saturday 12 October 1985. Again members of the congregation were very generous with gifts and donations.

IIn 1987 gates and railings were replaced and in 1987 there was a new central heating system for the halls with a new boiler house together with renovations to the minor hall - all costing £35,000.

The War Memorial Organ was renovated in 1990 costing €30,000.

There was a need for a Crèche and more facilities. Consequently a new suite of rooms was built in 1994/5. They were dedicated by the Very Rev Dr David McGaughey to the memory of Denis Taggart, a beloved servant of St James's - known as the Denis Taggart Suite.

The fine state of the property was largely due to the willing and able work of Harry McKendry, the building convener for over 25 years, ably assisted by another ruling elder, Victor McConaghie who succeeded him.

Altogether through its different organisations and committees, St James's has over a hundred volunteers doing a range of jobs, some of them occasional but significant, while others are engaged in time-consuming work The present members of Session are: James Beatie, William Campbell, Sean Carey, Ivan Ellison, David Fleming, Jack Gault, Derek Gilmour, Maurice Gowland, Jim Graham, Robert Guy, Peter Hatton, Harry Holmes, Kennedy Lyle, Ronnie McConaghie, Frank McNeilly, Leslie McQuigg, Mervyn Morrison, William Morrison, David Murray, David Murray, Wilson Pollock, Terry Shawe, David Smyth, Eric Tate and Bertie Johnston (Clerk).

The minister and kirk session are aware that the greatest human resource of the church is the willingness of her people.

They are grateful to all who have generated 'peace within its walls' and gone into the community refreshed and inspired to demonstrate Christ's goodwill to all people.

Original chapter by the Rev John Mulree Revised chapter by the Rev Trevor Magowan

From “The Presbytery of Route 1657-2007 Publication”

2014 Angel Festival

2013 Christmas

2014 Connect Pudding Party

2015 Girl’s Brigade

2018 Big Breakfast

2019 Coffee Morning

ST JAMES'S CHURCH, BALLYMONEY - 1835

During the early years of the nineteenth century, the Presbyterian population of Ballymoney and district had become so large that there was no room for many of the people in the existing church, connected with the Synod of Ulster. In the fifty years from 1777 the number of presbyterian families had more than doubled, and by 1830 there was a strong demand for increased church accommodation. With a view, therefore, to the foundation of a new congregation to meet this urgent need, services of public worship were begun in the Ballymoney Court House. These were conducted by neighbouring ministers.

A committee was formed to organise the new congregation. The minute book of this committee contains the record of a meeting held in Balnamore on 3 May 1834, at which it was resolved to forward a memorial to the Presbytery of Ballymena, asking that the pulpit be supplied.

This memorial was proposed, adopted and signed. After showing the need for a new congregation, and claiming that already there were 137 families within the fellowship, it requested the continuation of gospel ordinances, until such time as a minister might be called.*

At a meeting of the General Synod of Ulster, held in Londonderry in the following month, the presbytery reported that they had formed a new congregation in Ballymoney. The name given to the congregation was The Second Presbyterian Church. However, in 1840, on the union of the Synod of Ulster with the Secession Synod, the existing Secession Church in Ballymoney (now Trinity Church) received the name, "The Second Presbyterian Church," and the new congregation, owing to its later foundation, became known as 'The Third Presbyterian Church.

1985 Girl’s Brigade

1985 Church Party

Rev. Magowan & Rev. Mulree