Memorial window dedicated at First Lisburn


At the dedication ceremony of the memorial window in First Lisburn Presbyterian Church, in memory of Alexander and Eleanor Brownlee are (left to right): Perry Reid, Clerk of session, Desmond Brownlee, son, Doctor Gordon Gray, Minister Emeritus, Thelma Brownlee, daughter-in-law and, right, the memorial window.

A DEDICATION ceremony of a memorial window in memory of Alexander and Eleanor Brownlee has taken place at First Lisburn Presbyterian Church.

Gordon Gray, Minister Emeritus, recalled a little of Mr and Mrs Brownlee's contribution to the church, before the the prayer of dedication.

He said: "Mr Alec Brownlee was very well-known and highly respected in the town and surrounding countryside as a staff member and then

Director of JC Patterson's, where he served from 1925 until his retirement in 1984 - a businessman of integrity and unfailing good-humour and helpfulness.

"Rarely absent from church on Sunday, he served faithfully on the church committee for 30 years. Both he and his wife Nellie, as she was known to us, were keen members of the Indoor Bowls Clubs. Nellie was also for many years a loyal member of the church choir. After Alex's death in 1996 she continued until

recently to drive herself to church." Mr Gray continued: "Those of us privileged to know them will remember both of them for their warm personalities - Alec for his hearty laugh and Nellie for her lovely smile and dancing eyes."

He added: "This new window, bearing the symbols of the burning bush, the star of David, the dove and centrally, the Cross, proclaims the Easter theme, complementing the message of the Resurrection Window opposite."

Ulster Star
04/12/2009