Brigh Presbyterian Church

Brigh Presbyterian Church, Stewartstown, County Tyrone Civil Parish of Ballyclog. Address: 11 Brigh Rd, Brigh, Stewartstown Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, U.K. BT71 5JR

The first minister of Brigh or Donaghendry (also Ballyclug) was Mr, Archibald HAMILTON, who was settled here in 1630 and ejected in 1661. He died in 1674. His tombstone is in the churchyard there. He was succeeded by Mr. John ABERNETHY, the ejected minister of Aghaloo or Minterburn, who continued here about 10 years and removed to Moneymore. He was succeeded by Mr. Alexander OSBORNE, who held this charge till Jan 1688, when he was removed to Dublin. He was succeeded by Mr. Robert HAMILTON in the end of the same year. In 1691 we find their commissioner, Mr. Richard SPIER, supplicating the Synod that Mr. HAMILTON may be permitted to remain with them, though they cannot give him above £20 per annum. It would appear that shortly afterwards he resigned the charge and removed to Bangor. The next minister was Mr. Thomas KENNEDY, son of the minister of Carlan, who was ordained here on the 6 Nov. 1700. In 1708 the people complained that they would be injured by a new erection at Coagh but the Synod deemed them still sufficient to support a minister. Mr. KENNEDY died in this charge on the 3 July 1746. He was succeeded by Mr. John WHITE, who was ordained here on the 23 Jul. 1747. He died on the 20 Oct. 1787. The next minister was Mr. Thomas M’KAY, who was ordained here on the 1st Aug 1788. He died in this charge on the 19 Dec. 1821, aged 66. After much disputing, Mr. James DENHAM, afterwards D.D., was ordained here by a Synodical Committee on the 11 Jul 1826. Receiving a call to Derry, he resigned this charge on the 20 April 1837 and was succeeded by Mr. Samuel H. ELDER, who was ordained here on the 1st Aug. 1837. Mr. ELDER died on the 11 Oct. 1844 and was succeeded by Mr. John MAXWELL, who was ordained here on the 30 Jun 1847. Mr. MAXWELL died on the 29 June 1883 and was succeeded by Mr. John Huey MORTON, who was ordained here on the 15 Jan. 1884.

Records at the General Synod 3rd session of the meeting held at Lurgan on the 24th June 1788.

Stewartstown- A Petition signed by more than one hundred persons (Twenty-three of whom formerly belonged to the congregation of Brigh) was presented to this synod, stating ‘That they were building a meeting house in Stewartstown & supplicating this synod to authorise & desire the Presbytery of Tyrone, in due time to ordain a minister among them, to whom they were willing to pay fifty pounds per annum and in the meantime to grant them supplies from the first Sab. of August next.’

Brigh – A supplication from the Congregation of Brigh was also presented to this Synod, in which they set forth That by granting the above petition, the peace & harmony of the cong. of Brigh, were in danger of being disturbed, & Interrupted; That it would be a bad precedent and that it was not inconvenient for the inhabitants of the town & neighbourhood of Stewartstown to attend at their usual place of worship.”

After hearing the commissioners on both sides at considerable length & reasoning on the subject, the Question was put, “Grant the petition or not? ” The Roll was called & it carried “Not.”

Records of the 2nd session of General Synod Meeting held at Lurgan 30 June 1789

Tyrone Presby. report That they Ordained Mr Thos. M’KAY in Brigh, Ordained 1st Aug. 1788. He subscribed to the W. Conf. of Faith & is a contributor to the widows fund. Also report that they have entered on Tryals Mr John KENNEDY. Have on the fund Mrs. PEEBLES, Mrs DUFFIN, Mrs CALDWELL & family of Mrs WHITE. And that Mrs ORR died since last Gen. synod, time not known.

And at the 6th session (Thursday) of the same synod meeting Brigh reports-
A petition signed John GRIER, in the name of the congregation of Brigh and a petition & remonstrance signed by thirty-six persons, members of the same cong., were also presented to this synod, by David DUFF & Robert MOFFAT, Comms (commissioners) stating, That the cong. of Brigh would receive essential Injury from the establishment of a new cong.

The Commrs. from both parties having been heard at considerable length & removed;

And the synod having reasoned on the subject; The question was put, “Grant the supplication of the inhabitants of Stewartstown or not? The roll was called and it carried “Grant.”

(an elder during the ministry of Mr. M’KAY was Robert ROBSON)

29 Jul 1784 Congregation of Brigh

The Committee appointed the Presbyterian Congregation of Brigh to inspect the building of their Meeting-house, near Mountjoy and Stewartstown, having received a benefaction of 20£ from the Hon. John FORBES, by the hands of George BOYD, Esq; and Mr. Jn. HUNTER and also a benefaction of ten Guineas from Colonel James STEWART of Killymoon, think it incumbent on them to express the sense they have of their obligations to these gentlemen, who have so very kindly and liberally assisted them, having this printed 3 times. Signed by order, John WHITE, minister. Dublin Evening Post

15 Sept 1848 Mark of Esteem

Monday the 4th instant, the superintendents and teachers of the Sabbath school in connection with the Brigh Presbyterian Church, met together, with other friends in the neighbourhood, for the purpose of presenting a gold watch and address to Mr. ANDERSON (Charles) in testimony of their affectionate regard and the value they place on his efficient and gratuitous labours among them. The chair was occupied by the Rev. Samuel M’CURDY who called upon the Rev. David MACKAY to conduct devotional exercises. The Rev. John MAXWELL, pastor of the congregation, read the address on behalf of the Sabbath school, at the close of which, a very beautiful gold watch was handed to Mr. ANDERSON. Mr. ROBINSON then read an appropriate reply and after prayer and praise by the chairman, the meeting separated, greatly gratified with the proceedings of the evening. Londonderry Standard

17 Jun. 1836 Antiquarian Sketch

We present to our readers Mr. M’KAY’S antiquarian sketch of his descent in his own words.

I was born at Brigh, near Stewartstown in the county of Tyrone, A.D. 1802, on the 4th of November. Having finished my collegiate course of education at Glasgow, I was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of Tyrone, in 1824, and ordained to the charge of the Presbyterian congregation of Portglenone in June, 1826, by the Presbytery of Ballymena. By my father, the late Rev. Thomas M’KAY, I possess Celtic origins his grandfather, Alexander M’KAY, of Convoy, was grand-nephew of the famous General M’KAY, who fought under King William 3rd and whom God employed to execute his vengeance upon Claver house, the bloody persecutor of the Scottish Presbyterians. This Alexander M’KAY was son to Hugh M’KAY of Rea, in the northern highlands of Scotland and being persecuted in Scotland for his attachment to Presbyterianism and suffering from the troubles in which he, in common with the other branches of that brave Highland clan, had been involved, by its opposition to the Cromwellian usurpation, he fled to Ireland in 1683 and settled at Convoy, in Donegal. But, by my mother, I possess Scottish and Irish descent conjoined, which associates itself with the BALLIES of Donaghendry, a branch of the house of LAMINGTON in Scotland; with the RICHARDSON’S of Augher, the LINDSAY’S of Loughren, the SAUNDERSON’S of Cavan, and the JACKSON’S of Coleraine; together with the family of DOBBS, MOORE and STUART of Stuarthall. These were conspicuous in the plantation of Ulster and zealous advocates of Presbyterianism in former days, save the family of LINDSAY, which always adhered to the Church of England.

I esteem it, however, useful for the illustration of my ministerial Mission. In the province of Ulster, to demonstrate my descent maternally through the line of the KENNEDY’S, as the mission and ordination of the Presbytery of Tyrone, by which I was licensed to preach the Gospel, is handed down through them.

Therefore I here state that my grandfather the Rev. William KENNEDY, 46 years minister of Carland, was son to the Rev. John KENNEDY, minister of Benburb congregation for 50 years. John KENNEDY, together with his brother, Thomas KENNEDY, minister of Brigh until 1742 who baptized the late Lord Castlestuart in the Brigh meeting-house, were sons to the late Thomas KENNEDY, 1st minister of Carland. With respect to him, I here state, that being empowered to preach by the Presbytery of Ayr, he came to Ireland by the appointment of the extraordinary commission of the Kirk in the summer of 1643; and being a nephew to John, the 5th Earl at’ Cassills and cousin-german to John, the 6th commissioner to the Westminster Assembly, whose family was by matrimonial alliance connected with that of the Earl of Stirling; he was appointed as chaplain under General Monroe and being ordained by the Presbytery with the army, was inducted by Archbishop Usher into the parish of Donaghmore in Tyrone, in 1646, and ejected in 1660; thence forward, he continued to preach as a nonconformist minister at Carland Bridge, enduring persecution and imprisonment for righteousness’ sake.

At the approach of Lord Galmoy with the advanced guard of King James’s army to Dungannon, he was forced to retire to the house of his brother, the Rev. G. KENNEDY, the elected and persecuted minister of Dundonald and Girvan,- and there having remained some time, he went to Glasgow in 1688, was received by the Presbytery,- and installed by it in the College Kirk, because of his singular gifts and eloquence, by the universal choice of the people; and in 1693 he returned to Ireland, and at the earnest desire of his Irish congregation, resumed his charge of them. The people of Glasgow parted with him with deep regret; but as he came to Ireland, at first with the design of propagating the Gospel, he felt bound to return to embrace the opening in God’s providence of doing more good in Ireland. He died in 1714, having preached the Gospel in Glasgow, Donoughmore and Carland 70 years.

I have now only to make two other remarks connected with this Thomas KENNEDY, the ejected minister of Donoughmore. The 1st refers to the family from which he was sprung and the 2nd to that of his wife. With regard to the first, I observe, that he was eldest son of Sir Alexander KENNEDY of Craigaoch, legal nephew to John the 5th Earl of Cassillis and great grand nephew of the celebrated William or Quintin KENNEDY, Abbot of Crossraguel, who opposed John KNOX at a controversial discussion on the sacrifice of the mass, at Maybole, which lasted 3 days. But though Quintin KENNEDY was the best disputar in Scotland, he was overcome by the reformer. This clrcumstance induced him and his brother Gilbert, the 3rd Earl of Cassillis, to forsake Popery and he, thenceforward, defended and patronised the Reformation. The Cassillis family are sprung from James KENNEDY, of Donure; his ancestors were Crusaders and derived their origin from Brian KENNEDY, king of Ireland, having retired from that kingdom, to Carrick, in Scotland, about 1160 .

Now, with regard to his wife, he was married to a Miss Mary O’BRIEN, only child and daughter to Captain O’BRIEN, of the Bawn, near Pomeroy, in Tyrone. This Captain O’BRIEN was of the same family with the Marquis of Thomond and traced back his descent to Cormac CUSH / CASK? and Oliol Olum, the former a king of Munster in 360, who professed Christianity 90 years before the mission of Patrick, according to its 1st Presbyterian establishment in Ireland and the latter was also king of Munster and a celebrated poet, and professed the Christianity of the same stamp in the year 200 after Christ, 244 years before Patrick.

From this account, it will appear that I derive my descent from a Gaulish, Scottish, and Irish-Milesian origin and that I have a right to the exercise of freedom to preach the Gospel among the simple or Milisian Irish, if God should call me to it, without being taxed by the lrish priesthood as an alien stranger, invading the privileges of the Irish and possessing no sympathy for them, as not of their kindred origin. I believe God sometimes casts the solitary in families, while rebels inhabit a dry and parched land and I rejoice that I am able to show, that the celebrated Beg-Mac-De also sprung from Connel and Cormac Cass, maintained the same principles in religion as I do, from 500 to 551 and that as an old Culdee, well skilled in the prophecy of scripture, imbued with attachment to past forms of Christianity, he foresaw the judgments of God coming upon Ireland in consequence of the apostacy from the pure principles of the Gospel and the Introduction of corruption that followed the change of government in the Irish Church concomitant to the Patrician mission. A relative of his descended from the Eachar Baldearg, went along with current in apostacy and became, by the name of BRENNAN or O’BRIEN, the 1st diocesan bishop of Clonfert; but his views were nearly the name as those of the Church of England. William Kennedy M’KAY (Belfast Newsletter)

William Kennedy McKAY’S death is recorded in the Historical and Literary Memorials of Presbyterianism in Ireland 1880, as 19 Dec. 1822

Some Births recorded at Brigh Presbyterian Church 1834-1840

Child’s Name	Birth Date	Parents
Letitia STEWART	11 Jul 1834	John STEWART
Margaret WICKLOW	15 Aug 1834	William WICKLOW
Rebecca HAMILTON	Nov 1834	William HAMILTON
Nancy IRWIN	11 Dec 1834	Thomas IRWIN
Ann SLOAN	5 Apr 1835	John SLOAN
Joseph MITCHELL	23 Apr 1835	John MITCHELL
William McKIBBIN	? May 1835	William McKIBBIN/ Sarah REYNOLDS
David McKEOWN	7 July 1836	Robert McKEOWN
Ann Jane IRWIN	5 Oct 1836	Thomas IRWIN
Ellen CONN	4 Nov 1836	John CONN
Eliza Sarah MITCHELL	25 Jan 1837	John MITCHELL
Robert Tees DUNN	13 Feb 1837	Andrew DUNN
William McNEELY	18 Feb 1837	James McNEELY
Isaac BELL	30 Jan 1837	Robert BELL
Barbara IRWIN	20 Feb 1837	Adam IRWIN
Joseph WOODS	19 Mar 1837	Joseph WOODS
Margaret Jane SLOAN	4 Apr 1837	John SLOAN
Nancy WICKLOW	7 Apr 1837	William WICKLOW
Eleanor FERGUSON	13 Apr 1837	William FERGUSON
Samuel Hamilton KIRKPATRICK	14 Apr 1837	Thomas KIRKPATRICK
Isabella WHITE	21 Apr 1837	John WHITE
John NORRIS	23 Apr 1837	William NORRIS
Margaret Jane FERGUSON	8 May 1837	John FERGUSON
George McCULLOGH	9 May 1837	George McCULLOGH
Sam’l ? HAMILTON	12 May 1837	James HAMILTON
Thomas McKAY	18 May 1837	Henry McKAY
James PORTER	31 May 1837	William PORTER
Margaret Jane ROWE	1 Jun 1837	Thomas ROWE
Eleanor WALLACE	18 Jun 1837	James WALLACE
James FAULKNER	28 Jun 1837	William FAULKNER
John IRVINE	8 Jul 1837	John IRVINE
John WHAM	10 Jul 1837	Samuel WHAM
William John GRAHAM	1 Aug 1837	George GRAHAM
James ALLEN	3 Aug 1837	William ALLEN
Matthew GREER	8 Aug 1837	John GREER
John CARSON	8 Aug 1837	John CARSON
John McKIBBIN	? Aug 1837	William McKIBBIN / Sarah REYNOLDS
Nancy HENDERSON	24 Aug 1837	Thomas HENDERSON
William KIRKPATRICK	28 Sept 1837	James KIRKPATRICK
Alexander LINDSAY	22 Dec 1837	Joseph LINDSAY
John JOHNSTON	day & month? 1838	Joseph JOHNSTON
John KIRKPATRICK	12 Jan 1838	Thomas KIRKPATRICK
Samuel LORIMER	15 Jan 1838	Robert LORIMER
Martha HENDERSON	21 Jan 1838	Thomas HENDERSON
Susanna McVEY	12 Feb 1838	Thomas McVEY
James NICHOL	20 Feb 1838	Gilbert NICHOL
James WALKER	1 Mar 1838	Joseph WALKER
Ellen GRAHAM	13 Mar 1838	William GRAHAM
Martha MEGAGHY	18 Apr 1838	Stewart MEGAGHY
Thomas Rollins FERGUSON	6 May 1838	Fergus FERGUSON
Margaret MEGAW	10 May 1838	William MEGAW
Rachel IRWIN	12 May 1838	Thomas IRWIN
Agnes Spear MEGAW	30 May 1838	William MEGAW
Margaret McKEOWN	12 Jun 1838	Robert McKEOWN
James MOORHEAD	13 Jun 1838	James MOORHEAD
John BELL	28 Jun 1838	Ross BELL
Margaret CONN	3 Jul 1838	John CONN
Jane HAMILTON	15 Aug 1838	Thomas HAMILTON
Robert MEGAW	25 Aug 1838	John MEGAW
Robert TROUSEL	27 Aug 1838	John TROUSEL
Eliza PARK	10 Sept 1838	David PARK
Mary Jane DUNN	18 Sept 1838	Andrew DUNN
William WRIGHT	13 Oct 1838	James WRIGHT
Thomas HARRIS	19 Oct 1838	Samuel HARRIS
Joseph GRAHAM	25 Oct 1838	Joseph GRAHAM
Palmer McCONNELL	11 Nov 1838	Hugh McCONNELL
Alexander LAYS	11 Nov 1838	Alexander LAYS
Sarah HARRIS	23 Nov 1838	John HARRIS
Mary Ann DONNELLY	14 Dec 1838	Thomas DONNELLY
Samuel John SLOAN	1 Jan 1839	John SLOAN
Alexander KIRKPATRICK	3 Feb 1839	James KIRKPATRICK
Mary Jane HAMILTON	14 Feb 1839	John HAMILTON
Eliza IRVINE	22 Feb 1839	John IRVINE
Ann Eliza Jane RAINEY	1 Mar 1839	Joseph RAINEY
Samuel ELDER	11 Mar 1839	John ELDER
Nancy RAY	17 Mar 1839	James RAY
Robert Thomas WHITE	1 Apr 1839	John WHITE
Esther VINCENT	4 Apr 1839	William VINCENT
Matilda SLOAN	13 Apr 1839	William SLOAN
James MARSHALL	14 Apr 1839	William MARSHALL
Robert DALLAS	24 Apr 1839	James DALLAS
Mary Ann MITCHELL	25 Apr 1839	John MITCHELL
Nancy MITCHELL	25 Apr 1839	John MITCHELL
Arabella Sophia SLOAN	18 May 1839	John SLOAN
Thomas DEVLIN	25 May 1839	Patrick DEVLIN
Robert FAULKNER	6 Jun 1839	William FAULKNER
Robert CRAWFORD	8 Jun 1839	Samuel CRAWFORD
Martha Anne RODDY	11 Jun 1839	Joseph RODDY
Samuel STEWART	6 Jul 1839	John STEWART
Charles WALLACE	18 Jul 1839	James WALLACE
Ann Jane BELL	27 Jul 1839	Robert BELL
Anne BARKLEY	22 Aug 1839	William BARKLEY
Elizabeth MACKAY	7 Sept 1839	Henry MACKAY
Andy Thomas BODEN	25 Sept 1839	Andrew BODEN
Robert James BROWN	27 Sept 1839	William BROWN
James KIRKPATRICK	? Oct 1839	Thomas KIRKPATRICK
Margaret McCULLOGH	16 Oct 1839	George McCULLOGH
John Henry ROWE	31 Oct 1839	Thomas ROWE
Eliza Ann FERGUSON	15 Nov 1839	John FERGUSON
Jane PORTER	22 Nov 1839	William PORTER
John Stewart NORRIS	25 Nov 1839	John S. NORRIS
Mary McCORD	27 Nov 1839	Thomas McCORD
James WRIGHT	18 Dec 1839	James WRIGHT
Margaret BEATTIE	28 Dec 1839	Hugh BEATTIE
Jane McKIBBEN	Day Month? 1839	William McKIBBEN / Sarah REYNOLDS
Eliza Sarah MEGAW	6 Mar 1840	William MEGAW
John HARRIS	8 Mar 1840	Thomas HARRIS
Elizabeth Eleanor WATTERS	14 Mar 1840	William John WATTERS
James FERGUSON	26 Apr 1840	Fergus FERGUSON
John NICHOLL	22 May 1840	Gilbert NICHOLL
Margaret IRWIN	1840	Thomas IRWIN
Martha MOORHEAD	13 Jul 1840	James MOORHEAD
William John LEMON	22 Jul 1840	John LEMON
Elizabeth WHAN	27 Jul 1840	Samuel WHAN
Agnes GRAHAM	16 Aug 1840	George GRAHAM
William James CARSON	22 Aug 1840	John CARSON
Eliza ELDER	22 Aug 1840	David ELDER
Ellen HENDERSON	18 Sept 1840	Thomas HENDERSON
Margaret RODDY	20 Sept 1840	Joseph RODDY
Elizabeth HARRIS	24 Sept 1840	Samuel HARRIS
Robert HAMILL	21 Oct 1840	Robert HAMILL
William White HARRIS	16 Nov 1840	John HARRIS
Eliza DEVLIN	15 Dec 1840	Patrick DEVLIN

Marriages at Brigh Presbyterian Church

1 Oct 1828 Rev. James DENHAM, Brigh to Eliza HANNA eldest dau. of Rev. Dr. HANNA.

30 Dec 1846. by Rev. John Maxwell, Mr John TAYLOR of Carlan to Eliza McVEY of Eavy, near Stewartstown.

30 Jan 1851 – On the 21st inst. in the Brigh Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. Stewart Fullerton, brother of the bridegroom, Mr James Johnston FULLERTON to Jane Olivia STEWART, dau. of the late Samuel STEWART Esq. of Gortnaskea.

3 Sept. 1852 – At Brigh Presbyterian Church on the 27th ult. by the Rev. T. W. Junk. brother to the bride, Mr. William MEGAW of Stewartstown to Jane eldest daughter of Robert Junk of Gortigal near the same place.

8 Jan. 1853 – Dec. 30, in Brigh Presbyterian Church Mr. Samuel MAY, Lower Back, near Stewardstown, to Mary eldest daughter of Mr. Isaac MEGAW, Linneyglass near Stewardstown.

18 Mar. 1861 – March 14, in Brigh Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. R. Holmes, Mr Thomas HAMILTON merchant, Coagh to Eliza daughter of late Mr John GEORGE, Mullagharory, near Coagh.

23 Jan. 1864 – January 12th in Brigh Presbyterian Church by the Rev. John Maxwell, assisted the Rev. Isaac Vance, brother to the bride, Mr. Thomas WHITESIDE, Killycolpy to Miss VANCE, Innevale.

3 Sept. 1864 – August 29, at Brigh Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. John Maxwell, Mr. James BRYARS, merchant, Dungannon, to Margaret, youngest daughter of the late Andrew KELLS Esq. (Londonderry Standard)

12 Jan. 1877 – January 6, in the Brigh Presbyterian Church, Stewartstown by the Rev. John Maxwell, John, third son of Mr. Ross BELL, Sherrygroom, to Mary Jane, youngest daughter of Mr. Ross BELL Gortigal, Stewartstown.

31 Aug. 1878 – At the Brigh Presbyterian church on the 27th inst., by the father of the bride, assisted by the Rev. Robert Wallace, W. J. BROWN Esq. M.A., Inspector of National schools, Longford, to Anna, elder daughter of the Rev. John MAXWELL Brigh Manse, Stewartstown, Co. Tyrone.

15 Aug. 1908 Co. Tyrone Estate

The tenants on the estate of Mrs. QUINN of Stewartstown, have agreed to purchase their holdings under the Land Act of 1903. ‘The estate consists of the townlands Brigh and Gortnaskea, situate within 2 miles of the town. The terms agreed upon are nonjudicial 21 years’ purchase; judicial, 24 years’ purchase and fee-farm rents 24 1/2 years purchase. Mr. John P. HARRIS, solicitor, Stewartstown, negotiated between landlord and tenant. (Weekly Irish Times)

29 Jul. 1908 Sad Occurrence in Co. Tyrone

On the 26th inst. an old and respected citizen of Stewartstown named Mr. Andrew JOHNSTON, who resided with his nephew at Curglasson, died suddenly while on his way to the morning service in Brigh Presbyterian Church. When nearing the church he took suddenly ill in the trap and was carried to Mr. MONTGOMERY’S, where restoratives were applied, but he died in a few minutes. The deceased had for some time been suffering from heart disease. He was agent for a number of estates and held many other important appointments. His death is generally regretted.

26 Mar. 1909 Memorial Stone laying at Brigh, Co. Tyrone.

On 16th inst., the ceremony of laying the memorial-stone of the new Presbyterian Church Brigh took place in the presence of a large number of clergy and laity. During the proceedings some heavy showers of snow fell.

During the last quarter a century the church, which has a long and chequered history, has had 5 ministers, all of whom are still living. They are

Rev. John H. MORTON now of Eglinton St., Belfast

Rev. James B. M’FEETERS. B.A., T.C.D., at present Principal of the Endowed School, Bangor

Rev. David H. MACONACHIE B.A., B.D., at present in Strean Church, Newtownards

Rev. David GRAHAM B.A., now Coagh

Rev. William M’lLHATTON B.A., the present much respected and highly energetic minister, who shortly after his settlement about a year and half ago, launched the project of building a new church. In order to complete the erection of the church it will be necessary to raise somewhere between 1700 and 1800£. An offer £500 from an anonymous donor has been made provided the remainder is raised within 12 months. The congregation subscribed over £700 in about a fortnight. The late Mr. Matthew John MEGAW has made a bequest of £500 to be invested on behalf of the congregation, also towards the building fund. The greater part of the outside subscriptions came from friends or people hailing from the neighbourhood, with the result that £100 will be required to complete the building and leave it clear of debt.

The new church takes the place of the original edifice, which was erected in the 18th century, and occupies a commanding site on a conspicuous hill, well elevated above the surrounding country.

The clergy present at the ceremony were –

The Rev. Dr. M’lLVEEN (moderator of the General Assembly) (In the chair)

Rev. John ENTRICAN B.A.
Rev. Isaac VANCE B.A.
Rev. J. B. SLOAN B.A.
Rev. William REID B.A.
Rev. J. W. SHARPE B.A.
Rev. R. ADAMS B.A.
Rev. R- MEARES M.A.
Rev. R. M’CAMMOND B.A.
Rev. J. FORSYTHE B.A.
Rev. T. GLASS B.A.
Rev. J. A. DONALDSON B.A.
Rev. E. SIMS B.A.
Rev. D. GRAHAM B.A.

Rev. William M’lLHATTON (pastor loci) reviewed the history of the church and referred at length to the generous donor who had subscribed £500 on the condition that the remainder of the amount to raise an edifice worthy of the Brigh congregation would be realised within 12 months. He thanked the congregation for the spirited and prompt manner in which they assisted him to carry out this condition. He was pleased to  inform them that the new church would be opened free of debt.

The Moderator of the General Assembly, in the course of his remarks, said this was an interesting occasion, taking them back over the history of the past 300 years. He understood this was the 5th place a church was erected for this congregation. He had seen the complete plans of the building now in course of erection and must heartily congratulate the congregation of Brigh in having such a beautiful church. The anonymous friend who had subscribed £500, which led them to the foundation of the whole scheme deserved every credit for the generous offer. The members of the congregation who subscribed the remainder, in such a short time, also deserved every praise. It gave him great pleasure in asking Mrs. MEGAW to lay the memorial stone.

Mrs. John MEGAW, Belfast, was then presented with a silver trowel and mallet (manufactured by Messrs. GIBSON and Co., Belfast), the former Messrs. YOUNG and MACKENZIE, architects, and the latter by Mr. William DOWLING, contractor, and declared the memorial-stone well and truly laid.

Mr. Thomas MEEK J.P. Moneymore, formerly a member the Brigh Church, proposed a vote of thanks Mr. and Mrs. John MEGAW for coming so far to lend their valued assistance on this occasion. Mr. John C. CHAMBERS, on behalf of the Committee. seconded the vote of thanks, which was put by the Moderator and carried with applause.

Rev. John ENTRICAN B.A., moved a vote thanks to the Moderator for adding dignity to the ceremony by his attendance. The Rev. J, W. SHARPE B.A., seconded and the proceedings, terminated with the doxology. The clergy, Committee, and friends were afterwards hospitably entertained by the ladies of the congregation.

5 Aug. 1909 Funeral of Mrs Joseph VANCE, Inevale House, Stewartstown

Great regret was manifested in the district at the announcement of the death of Mrs. Joseph VANCE, who died suddenly on Monday week at her husband’s residence, Inevale House, Stewartstown. The funeral took place on Wednesday, when the remains were removed for interment in the family burying ground at Brigh Presbyterian Church. Funeral services were conducted at the house and at the graveside by the Rev. Dr. M’ELHATTON, Brigh, assisted the Rev. R. DAVIDSON Derry. The coffin which was of polished oak suitably mounted bore the following inscription-

Annie Vance
Aged 67 years
Died 26th July, 1909,

The deceased was very highly respected and the funeral was attended by a large number of friends and neighbours. The chief mourners were –

Joseph VANCE (husband)
James W. and William J. VANCE (sons)
Samuel RUSSELL (brother)
Thomas R. KELLY, Samuel KELLY, Robert O. TURKINGTON (nephews)
Robert John RUSSELL and James REID (cousins)
Ezekiel DILWORTH, Nelson DILWORTH, John H. DILWORTH, Thomas E. HALL, Andrew DAVISON and James M’KENZIE (relatives).

The funeral arrangements were satisfactorily carried out by Messrs. E. M. ALLEN & Son, Cookstown.

page transcribed, extracted & compiled by Teena from Armagh Guardian, Ballymena Observer, Belfast Newsletter Londonderry Standard, Tyrone Constitution. (unless otherwise noted), along with-

History of Congregations of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland https://archive.org/details/historyofcongreg00kill

Records of the General Synod of Ulster 1691 – 1820
https://archive.org/details/recordsofgeneral03pres

Family Search Batch # C700191 LDS C700191 /0083 & /0165 FHL microfilm 0823750

Burials of Brigh Presbyterian Church are recorded in The Kabristan books of County Tyrone Graveyards (Index of names see Part V)

https://www.kabristan.org.uk/kabristan-indexes/ireland-indexes