ONE of Ireland's oldest Presbyterian congregations is celebrating its 350th anniversary next week.
Armagh's First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1673, and will begin a four-day festival from Thursday entitled 350 years in Scripture, Stitches and Stone.
A special display will illustrate the history of the congregation over the centuries using illustrations of Bible verses, window displays, floral arrangements, patchwork quilts and more.
Co-organiser Elise Crean says the story of the church reflects the shared history of Ulster and contributions to society from Presbyterians since the 17th century.
“The original church was first established in 1673 in Armagh before moving to a new site in Abbey Street in the early 1700s and finally to this magnificent, Gothic revival edifice on the Mall in 1879,” she said.
With a 185ft spire, the church includes unique assets such as the 1905 pipe organ which was restored in 2019.
An unusual feature of the building is a monkey-faced chimera.
“The most common explanation is that a member of the congregation was pompously telling a stone mason how to do his job and this was the mason’s response,” she said.
The limestone church's interior also reflects the upheaval of the 20th century, with two marble tablets with the names of those who served in World War I, regimental flags from 1920 after the disbandment of the 7th and 8th Battalions of the Royal Irish Fusiliers and a brass tablet commemorating those who served in World War II.
The festival will begin with a special service on Thursday, May 4 at 1.30pm, led by Rev Graham Mullan, with special music by the Armstrong Primary School Choir.
Further details can be found at www.firstarmagh.co.uk.
