A History of Railway Street Presbyterian Church, Lisburn 1860 to 2008

At the book launch are L to R: Lisburn Mayor, Councillor Ronnie Crawford, Mrs Kathleen Cromie, Councillor Andrew Ewing, The Very Rev Dr Howard Cromie, Mr Victor Hamilton, John Kelly, Noel McMaster (Bakerloo Junction), The Rev Brian Gibson, Mrs Jean Gibson and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson MLA.

A book written by John Kelly entitled 'Footprints on the Sands of Time - A History of Railway Street Presbyterian Church, Lisburn 1860 to 2008' was launched on Thursday 4th December. Launching the book, former moderator The Very Rev Dr Howard Cromie, Minister Emeritus of Railway Street, paid tribute to Mr Victor Hamilton who sponsored the book; Victor is the grandson of the late Very Rev Dr R W Hamilton, third minister of Railway Street Presbyterian Church, 1885-1935, and Moderator of the General Assembly, 1924-1925.

Conducting the formal part of the evening, the minister, the Rev Brian Gibson gave a powerpoint presentation showing pictures from the book, which charts the history of Railway Street Presbyterian Church since the formation of the congregation in November 1860. Also taking part were Lisburn Mayor, Councillor Ronnie Crawford and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson MLA and The Rt Rev Dr Donald Patton, Moderator of the General Assembly. Dr Patton, a former minister of First Dromore Presbyterian Church, spoke affectionately of John's late father, who was a faithful elder of the church where the family worshipped for many years.

John thanked Dr Robin Coulter, the Congregational Secretary who, assisted by grammar school English teachers Carolyn Gowdy and Margaret Artt, proofread the manuscript in preparation for its publication. In his endorsement of the book, Jeffrey Donaldson jokingly spoke about John's fussiness in relation to photographs; picking up on this, John referred to Robin's fussiness in relation to grammar. Describing him as 'his mentor' he said, 'When Robin checks something - you could send it to the Queen'. John continued, 'My meticulous attention to photographs and captions and Robin's meticulous attention to grammar, together with the expert input of learned historians Victor Hamilton and Dr Cromie - all combine to make the book what the Lisburn Mayor described as an interesting and most informative read'.

Noel McMaster of Bakerloo Junction recalled days of linen thread manufacture as he performed (for the first time in public) his new song 'Barbour Mill' reminding us of the liberality of the Barbour family in the erection of both the church and the EMB Hall at Hilden. Noel pointed out that he was singing the song just a few feet away from the seat occupied by William Barbour JP, who died in September 1875. A marble tablet close to the seat describes William Barbour as 'one of the first members and the most munificent contributor to the funds of the Church.' Noel also sang two other songs he wrote entitled 'Winds of Change' and 'My Lagan Softly Flowing' the words of which were greatly influenced by his childhood days at Ivan Street Lisburn, close to the River Lagan.

The formal part of the evening concluded when Valerie Henderson accompanied by Dr Bertha Cowan sang, 'How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place' reminding us of the beauty of the recently refurbished church.

Other distinguished guests at the launch included former mayors Councillor Trevor Lunn MLA, Councillor Jonathan Craig MLA and Alderman Ivan Davis OBE, Lisburn Town South Councillors Andrew Ewing and Jennifer Palmer, Derek Alexander (Presbyterian Historical Society); and many local clergy including the Rev David Porter (Moderator of Dromore Presbytery), The Very Rev Dr Samuel Hutchinson (Moderator, 1997-1998) and the Rev Dr Gordon Gray, Minister Emeritus of First Lisburn and former organist Mr Peter Wilson both of whom travelled from the North Coast to be present.

Ladies of the congregation served a delightful supper in the church hall. The signing of books was interrupted as Noel announced John's recent 60th birthday and led the singing of Happy Birthday as Catherine O'Reilly, the band secretary, presented John with a birthday cake.

The book is available for �5 from Vic-Ryn, Faith Mission (Lisburn) bookshops and Smyth Patterson Ltd and can also be obtained through Railway Street Church Office, Tuesday to Friday 10.00am to 12.30pm (Tel: 028 9260 2766) or ordered by post for �6 inc. p&p (�9 to Ireland) from The Church Office, Railway Street Presbyterian Church, Railway Street, Lisburn. BT28 1XP. John will be available to sign copies of the book at the close of morning and evening worship at Railway Street.
 

History The Rev Brian Gibson is pictured giving a powerpoint presentation showing pictures from the book.	Launching the book Launching the book is former moderator The Very Rev Dr Howard Cromie, Minister Emeritus of Railway Street.	Endorsing the book Endorsing the book is Lisburn Mayor, Councillor Ronnie Crawford.
Entertainment Noel McMaster of Bakerloo Junction sings his new song 'Barbour Mill' a few feet away from the seat occupied by William Barbour JP, who died in 1875.	Enjoying the entertainment The Rt Rev Dr Donald Patton, Moderator of the General Assembly, who was accompanied by his wife Florence, is pictured with other distinguished guests as they enjoy the entertainment at the book launch.	First and Second Lisburn At the book launch are the Rev Dr Gordon Gray, Minister Emeritus of First Lisburn and the Rev Brian Gibson and The Very Rev Dr Howard Cromie Minister Emeritus of Second Lisburn (now Railway Street). Included in the photo is John Kelly.
Former Tool Engineers Lisburn Mayor, Councillor Ronnie Crawford peruses the book. Looking on are former Tool Design Engineers John Kelly and former Lisburn Mayor, Councillor Jonathan Craig MLA, who worked in the same department at Bombardier Aerospace.	Sons of the First Mayor of Liburn At the book launch are Bobby and Stanley Howard sons of the late James Howard JP, OBE, a member of Railway Street Church, who when Lisburn was raised to the status of Borough in 1964, was elected the first Mayor of Lisburn.	Old B&W photos Getting a book signed is Iris Levett, a member of 422 and Helping Hands. Iris supplied two B&W photos for the book - a 1932 photo of Brownlee Primary School children and a 1939 photo of her at a Girl Guide camp.
Electrician Raymond Spence, a member of Congregational Committee, gets a book signed. Former electrician Raymond donated and installed floodlighting at the front of the church in 1996 greatly enhanced the beauty of the church building on dark evenings.	Covenant Scheme Secretaries Railway Street Covenant Scheme Secretary Ian Barron and his wife Heather get a book signed.	League of Church Loyalty John Martin, who was League of Church Loyalty Secretary at Railway for over 40 years, is pictured with John Kelly.
	Elder Church Elder Gladys Brown and John Kelly enjoying the fun.

Singers and Musicians At the book launch are singers and musicians L to R: Noel McMaster, Valerie Henderson, organist Dr Bertha Cowan and formerorganist Peter Wilson.	Family John Kelly pictured with his brother George, sister Marjorie and her husband Allen, son Chris, daughters Emma and Laura and Laura's boyfriend John (left)
Helping Hands May Griffin a member of Helping Hands, gets a book signed.	Bakerloo Junction fans At the book launch are Bakerloo fans L to R: John and Margaret McFarlane, Noel McMaster, Lillian McFarlane, John Kelly, Catherine O'Reilly, Norman McMaster and Peter O'Reilly.
Happy 60th Emma and Laura Kelly help their old Dad blow out the candles on a cake presented by Catherine O'Reilly, Secretary of the Bakerloo Junction fan club.	Mayor's teenage days Dr Bertha Cowan and John Kelly look at a photo (B&W of course) in the Ulster Star showing Mayor, Councillor Ronnie Crawford at the first BCM camp at Carnlough in August 1966.

Ulster Star
06/12/2008