Bryansford Church celebrates 300 years
Rector of Castlewellan and Kilcoo, the Revd Brian Cadden, welcomed a large congregation to Bryansford Church on Thursday 8 November for a special service of thanksgiving to celebrate the church’s 300th Anniversary.
Bishop Harold Miller was the preacher and he also dedicated some anniversary thanksgiving gifts including a a locally crafted Holy Table. A group of young people gave the Bible readings and prayers – Emma, Rebecca and Laura Parker – and Alex Patterson returned from Nottingham to play the organ. The choir performed a setting of “Psalm 23” and Carol Anne McKay sang Mozart’s “Laudate Dominum”.
Afterwards the parishioners, family relatives from far and near and many others from the community enjoyed refreshments together as they celebrated an enduring Christian witness in the village.
Pictured above fron left to right: Jayne Parker (People’s Churchwarden), Bishop Harold, Revd Brian Cadden and Robert Parker (Rector’s Churchwarden)
History
The church was built as a Chapel of Ease for the farmers, tenants and estate workers of Tollymore in 1712. It was the initiative of Anne Hamilton, widow of the late James Hamilton of Tollymore who died in 1700. Alterations were carried out in 1812 when the windows were enlarged and four panels of early 16th century Flemish stained glass added, probably gifted by the Roden family. A tower was erected and slate plaque placed above the entrance engraved with a quotation from Psalm 26:8 and the year 1712.
The church was enlarged in 1833 with the addition of a small chancel and south transept which today houses the choir. An all purpose room, kitchen, and toilet facilities were built in 2000 to replace a small vestry originally built in 1841.