New Row - Church History

The History of New Row Church

by Mrs Julia E. Mullin

In 1726 ninety families withdrew from 1st Coleraine Presbyterian Church due to dissatisfaction with the Rev. Robert Higginbotham's ministry there. The new congregation was known as "The New Erection", later as 2nd Coleraine. Although it was known locally as "New Row" it was not until 1959 that the name was officially changed to "New Row".

The first minister, the Rev. Charles Lynd, was installed on 27th February 1728. He was of Hugenot descent and had been ordained in Clondevaddock in County Donegal. Like some other Presbyterian ministers at this period he could preach in Irish. He lived at Hatton's Lodge, an old house on the same site as the modern Lodge Hotel. The first church, built in 1725, must have been very narrow as the strip of land which they obtained stretching from New Row Street to the Ramparts (now Society Street) was only 33 feet wide. This church had a gallery entered by stone steps on the outside and a session house at the back. Mr. Lynd died on 21st December 1751.

The second minister, the Rev. John Simpson from Keady, County Armagh was ordained on 17th October 1753. He was a gigantic man, bigger than any of his congregation and he was said to be a man rich in mental endowments and extensive learning. An early account book dating from 1774 has fortunately been preserved, giving the names of various people carrying out repairs and maintenance at the church and details of the congregation's finances. Mr. Simpson died on 4th March 1795.

The Rev John Glasgow, who came from Orritor, Cookstown, was ordained on 8th March 1796. His call has fortunately been preserved, signed by eight elders and 109 other members of the congregation. This early call is valuable for genealogists. Mr. Glasgow developed a fever when attending the Synod at Lurgan and died on 13th July 1801 aged only 32.

The Rev. John Whiteside was ordained on 27th July 1802. During the early part of his ministry the church and session house required such frequent repairs that in 1831 it was decided to build a new church. A waste site adjoining the original site was obtained from the Irish Society and a new church built on the enlarged site. It was opened on 21st October 1832 and cost £1600. This is the present church building, although the front was extended in 1891 by the addition of a new vestibule, allowing the original vestibule to be incorporated into the actual church. The gallery was now extended from the new upstairs landing instead of by two spiral stairs entering directly into the gallery. Church in 19th Century
New Row church in the 19th Century

A book containing a complete list of the congregation in 1831 and an early list of Sunday School scholars from 1837 have been preserved: these are also valuable to genealogists. Mr. Whiteside's long ministry had an unfortunate ending when he was forced to resign in 1840. He died on 14th April 1843.

Rev. Robert Knox The Rev. Robert Knox was installed on 10th June 1842. Previously he had been the Synod's missionary to the south and west of Ireland where he set up many mission stations. The Register of Baptisms (still in use) dates from 1842. Unfortunately after only nine months in New Row the Presbytery allowed Mr. Knox to accept a call from Linenhall Street congregation, Belfast. There he had a distinguished career.

Rev. Robert Knox

When the congregation was thus left without a minister, members of Presbytery were asked to assist at communion and when the Rev. Hugh Porter of 2nd Dunboe preached at the pre-communion service the congregation decided to call him to New Row. He was installed on 1st July 1843, but this also was a short ministry as Mr. Porter died on 9th July 1846 after a protracted illness. He was only aged 29. Rev. Hugh Porter

Rev. Hugh Porter

Rev. James Canning The Rev. James Canning, minister of Mourne, was installed on 11th April 1848. He was an experienced and accomplished minister and he was often asked to address the General Assembly on important topics. In 1863 a school house was built behind the church for the Sunday School pupils. Mr. Canning died suddenly on 9 June 1864.

Rev. James Canning

The Rev. Robert Wallace, minister of Attry, was installed on 15th March 1865. As well as his congregational work Mr. Wallace took a very active part in Presbytery and also gave valuable service to the local community. By 1894 Mr. Wallace was not in good health and Mr. W.A. Wilson, a licentiate of Belfast Presbytery was appointed to assist him. Mr. Wallace died on 19th January 1896. The congregation thought so highly of Mr. Wilson, then assistant for 15 months, that they gave him a unanimous call and he was ordained on 31st March 1896. He had a flair for words and his sermons and lectures were full of interest and charm. During the 1st World War he worked with the Y.M.C.A. in France where he was extremely popular with the troops. On 20th March 1918 he was involved in a fatal mortar accident. He was buried at Le Harve. Rev. Robert Wallace

Rev. Robert Wallace

The Rev. Thomas Doey, minister of Dromore, was installed in New Row on 7th November 1918. During his ministry the Freewill Offering scheme was adopted and individual communion cups purchased. In 1927 the Doey family were involved in a serious car accident and Mr. Doey was never again able to undertake the full work of the congregation so various licentiates were appointed to assist him. Mr. Doey retired in 1948 and died on 5th February 1958 aged 82.

Rev. Thomas Doey

The Rev. J.C. Parke, minister of Clogher, was installed on 8th April 1949. As the congregation increased in size the old schoolroom or lecture hall became inadequate, but the awkward shape of the space behind the church made the provision of modern halls difficult. However by carefully planning an excellent suite of rooms was completed in 1964. As Eastbourne on the Lodge Road was considered too large for a modern manse a new house was built at Grange Road in 1970.

In preparation for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the congregation renovations to the church, including a new roof, were carried out. A congregational history of New Row by Mrs. Julia Mullin was published at this time. Mr. Parke retired on 30th September 1978.

Rev. J.C. Parke

The Rev. D.H. Allen, minister of Main Street, Garvagh, was installed on 22nd November 1979. Mr. Allen has a very pleasant and friendly manner and was very popular with the members of the congregation. Dr. Allen became moderator of the General Assembly in 1996, the first minister of New Row to be so honoured. He retired on 6th September 1998.

Rev. D.H. Allen

The present minister is the Rev. Robert McMullan, formerly Director of Scripture Union in the Republic of Ireland. He was installed on 30th April 1999.

Rev. Robert McMullan

When the congregation was thus left without a minister, members of Presbytery were asked to assist at communion and when the Rev. Hugh Porter of 2nd Dunboe preached at the pre-communion service the congregation decided to call him to New Row. He was installed on 1st July 1843, but this also was a short ministry as Mr. Porter died on 9th July 1846 after a protracted illness. He was only aged 29.
	Rev. Hugh Porter

	The Rev. James Canning, minister of Mourne, was installed on 11th April 1848. He was an experienced and accomplished minister and he was often asked to address the General Assembly on important topics. In 1863 a school house was built behind the church for the Sunday School pupils. Mr. Canning died suddenly on 9 June 1864.
Rev. James Canning

	The Rev. D.H. Allen, minister of Main Street, Garvagh, was installed on 22nd November 1979. Mr. Allen has a very pleasant and friendly manner and was very popular with the members of the congregation. Dr. Allen became moderator of the General Assembly in 1996, the first minister of New Row to be so honoured. He retired on 6th September 1998.
Rev. D.H. Allen

The present minister is the Rev. Robert McMullan, formerly Director of Scripture Union in the Republic of Ireland. He was installed on 30th April 1999.
	Rev. Robert McMullan