CHAPTER 9

UP TO DATE
1952 - 1981

REV. F. L. McCONNELL

The congregation did not have long to wait for their new minister. The Rev. F. L. McConnell was installed in April 1952. Born in 1905 Mr. McConnell was a voluntary worker in the Church at an early age. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who were elders before him, he was ordained as a ruling elder in Cliftonville Church.

He went into business, but was also led to take up the course at Assembly's College for the training of lay agents. He was licensed as such by the Presbytery of Belfast and became lay assistant in Fisherwick, with charge of Laganvale Hall, and he later acted in this capacity in Joymount, Carrickfergus. He found time at first to study part-time at Assembly's College, and later after full-time study also, became assistant to the Rev. S. R. Jamison of Ulsterville. He was licensed as a probationer there, and on 26th April 1949 was ordained in Albert Street Church, Belfast.

Following a successful Ministry there, he and his wife and their two daughters, Freda and Yvonne, moved to Dromore. Mr. McConnell began an energetic Ministry which saw the formation of G.B. and B.B. Companies, a Children's Church, and the continuing work of the P.W.A. in which Mrs. McConnell took an active interest.

Now, all of this weekday activity took place in the old schoolroom, and, as time passed, it became obvious that it was no longer adequate to accommodate the work of the congregation. Some therefore proposed that a new hall be erected. There was opposition to this, but the advice . . . `Old houses mended, cost little less than new before they're ended,' . . . prevailed, and work commenced on the new hall which was opened by the Lord Chief
 

REV. F. L. McCONNELL. MINISTER 1952-1976.	MEMBERS OF SESSION & COMMITTEE WITH THE MODERATOR OF ASSEMBLY RT. REV. DR. A. MARTIN AND THE MINISTER REV. F. L. McCONNELL AT THE RE-DEDICATION SERVICE AFTER RE-DECORATION OF THE CHURCH IN 1966.

Justice McDermott in 1960, and dedicated by the Moderator of the General Assembly Dr. T. A. B. Smyth. A few years later the debt was cleared, the whole scheme costing �14.000. By the mid1960's the Church was in need of repair, and in 1965 extensive redecoration work was carried out, and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Alfred Martin, Moderator of the General Assembly, re-opened the building for worship in September 1966.

In 1966 also, the Session gave permission for a Youth Fellowship to be held on Sunday nights. This organisation is still going strong, and over the years has exercised a healthy evangelical ministry on the lives of the young people. A varied weekly programme, with outings, and an annual Easter Weekend away, have helped to foster interest and fellowship.

During this ministry, the Session Minutes tell us that the Church was involved in two evangelistic campaigns. The first was a united campaign with the other main denominations in the town, and it was held in 1955. Then, in 1972, it was decided to hold a congregational Mission which ran from 18th February to 4th March, and there was much preparation for it. Sub-committees, drawn from the eldership, were set up . . . for, prayer, praise, visitation, transport, etc., the whole plan being guided by the Missioner, the Rev. John Girvan of Immanuel, Belfast (now Minister of Hill Street, Lurgan and Moderator of the General Assembly, 1981-1982). The Gospel was faithfully proclaimed and some harvest was reaped. In 1974 the congregation also took part in the Flame '74 project, a plan for the renewal of the Church. Meetings were held, led by various speakers, and discussion groups formed to help people to a better understanding of the Christian Faith, and the disciples responsibilities to his Lord.
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REV. W. D. PATTON
THE PRESENT MINISTRY

In March 1976, Mr. McConnell and his wife retired to Newcastle and the congregation set about the task of selecting a new Minister. A Hearing Committee was appointed, and in October they recommended the congregation to call the Rev. W. D. Patton, B.S.Sc., B.D. This was agreed, and Mr. Patton was installed on February 16th 1977. Born in Warrenpoint 30th May 1950, Mr. Patton received his education at Portadown College, Queen's University, Belfast, and The Assembly's College, Belfast. He was a student assistant in Cregagh Congregation 1973-1974. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Armagh in June 1974 in his home congregation of Armagh Road, Portadown, and became Assistant to the Very Rev. Dr. J. T. Carson in Trinity Bangor in August of that year. There, he was ordained in January 1975 and remained assistant until his call to Dromore.

Since 1977 the congregation has further developed its work and witness. In October 1979 a large extension to the Hall was opened and dedicated by the Moderator of Assembly, the Rt. Rev. Dr. W. M. Craig, Minister of First Portadown congregation, at a cost of �62,000. This extra accommodation has allowed many more meetings to take place through the week, and has facilitated the organisations in their activities. Much of the emphasis is on Youth Work. A Saturday night Youth Club was begun in 1979, and has about 60 names on the rolls. Then a Junior Christian Endeavour Society was formed in October 1980. Opening with an attendance of 11, this has built up to 30 over the first winter's work, and already, some members have signed active members cards. In May 1981 some of the members entered the all Ireland Junior C. E. Talent competitions, and some of these gained 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, places.

The Boys' Brigade celebrated its Silver Anniversary in 1979 under the Captaincy of Mr. Trevor Patterson, and the Girl's Brigade (with their Captain Mrs. I. Wilson) held their Silver Anniversary celebrations in 1978. In the past few years both these organisations have gained distinction in the Scripture examinations set annually.

The congregation has also been involved in a wider sphere of service through the work of three of its young men. Mr. Victor Patterson was called to the Ministry, and, having completed his course of study at Assembly's College, he was licensed by the Dromore Presbytery in June 1977. He served as assistant Minister to the Rev. Brian Moore in West Kirk, Belfast, and was installed as Minister of Kingsmills and Jeretzpass in 1979. One of his brothers, Jim, and his wife are at present working on an engineering and language project with T.E.A.R. Fund in Benin, Africa. Also, Lawrence Wallace, has worked with T.E.A.R. Fund in Bangladesh, and is now engaged on building work for refugees in different parts of Africa.
 

REV. W. D. PATTON	SESSION MEMBERS, 1981 Back Row-Mr. George Osborne, Mr. Sam Carlisle, Mr. Roy McClune, Mr. Victor Martin, Dr. K. O. Patterson. Centre-Mr. Henry Adams, Mr. Hugh Scott, Mr. R. J. Robinson, Mr. James Thompson, Mr. F. McCarroll. Front-Mr. Andrew Kelly, Mr. John McGrehan (Clerk), Rev. W. D. Patton, Miss S. K. Stronge, Mr. Carson Cardwell.

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EPILOGUE

So, the congregation continues its life and work. Over more than three centuries all kinds of challenges have been met, and many storms weathered, in faith. In this Church, so beloved by our people, much Divine work has been achieved, the worth of which will be known only in eternity. Here, the Gospel has sounded forth, and countless numbers have responded to the call of Jesus Christ to deny themselves, take up His Cross, and follow Him.

What does the future hold? Humanly speaking no-one knows, but the purposes of God for First Dromore will be fulfilled, and we may be confident the hand of God will continue to guide His flock, and that the young people will take their place in that future work.

The words of Edward Plumptre's hymn express our faith, in saying . . .

Thy hand O God has guided Thy flock from age to age; The wondrous tale is written, Full clear on every page ;
Our fathers owned thy goodness, And we their deeds record, And both of this bear witness,
One Church, One Faith, One Lord. Thy mercy will not fail us,
Nor leave thy work undone ; With thy right hand to help us, The victory shall be won ; And then by men, and angels, Thy Name shall be adored, And this shall be their anthem, One Church, One Faith, One Lord.
 

CHURCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS 1981 Back Row-Harold Gibson, James Cochrane, Joseph Thompson, John McMillan, Henry Poots, Thompson Howe. Centre William Gibson, George McCandless, John Humphreys, David Walker, Sidney Stronge, Will Gamble, Francis Martin. Front Row-John A. Shannon, William Patterson (Treasurer), Rev. W. D. Patton, John McGrehan (Secretary), James Stronge, Norman Biggerstaff.

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SOURCES

PRESBYTERIANISM IN IRELAND - GENERAL AND LOCAL

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