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Parish Church of St. Patrick’s

Rev. Raymond Devenney Parish Church of St. Patrick, Drumbeg. The lower part of the tower is part of the original Church built on the present site in 1798. The spite was rebuilt in 1833 and incorporated into the design of the present Church, rebuilt in 1870.
Rev. Raymond Devenney
Rector		 Parish Church of St. Patrick

Upper Malone Road, Drumbeg.

Rector: Rev. Raymond Devenney

Telephone: 9061 0255

Sunday services:

Morning Prayer: 11.00am

Evening Prayer: 6.30pm

Website: www.downanddromore.org 

The Lych gate, built in 1878 by members of the Montgomery family, is a beautiful feature of Drumbeg Parish Church. Notice Board at the Parish Church of Drumbeg
The Lych gate, built in 1878 by members of the Montgomery family, is a beautiful feature of Drumbeg Parish Church. Notice Board

HISTORY

The following brief history is taken from “Recollections of The Parish of Drumbeg” Diocese of Down, by Matthew Neill: The earliest record, we know of, refers to the “Church of the Drum” being rated at one mark for a tithe of sixteen pence in the taxation of Down in 1306. However, as the Church is dedicated to St. Patrick and is situated on an ancient ford of the river Lagan, a much earlier date can be inferred for the first Church of Drumbeg. The lower part of the tower is part of the original Church built on the present site in 1798. The wooden spire of that Church was-blown down in the big wind in 1831. Rebuilt in stone in 1833 it was incorporated into the design of the present Church, rebuilt in 1870 and erected to the-cruciform design of Thomas Drew F.R.I.A. at a cost of about £2,500. In 1878 the members of the Montgomery family erected the Lych gate, which is such a beautiful feature of Drumbeg. The inscription on the archway tells of the bequest of this notable landmark. Since then many additions have been made to the fabric and grounds with each generation and each Rector moved to play a part towards making this church one of the most beautiful in Ireland.  The Yew trees were presented by Thomas Montgomery of Ballydrain in 1885.  The church hall was built in the late 1890s and an extension added in 1996.  Plans are at an early stage for the building of a new church hall. The present Rector, the Rev. Raymond Devenney, was instituted here in September 2000.

Matthew Neill’s book entitled ‘Recollections of the Parish of Drumbeg’ giving a full history of this church, has been added to this website.  To see Matthew Neill’s book, click on: Recollections of the Parish of Drumbeg, Diocese of Down

The Keightley family - Drum House, Drumbeg

A Select Vestry meeting in Magheragall Parish Church in late 2005 investigating the safety of gravestones uncovered an interesting history connection with Sir Samuel Robert Keightley and his son, Captain Philip Russell Keightley. The research work was compiled by the Rector, the Rev Nicholas Dark, who made contact with Maureen Rosenfield, (great granddaughter of Sir Samuel Keightley) and her son Charlie who live in America. Captain Philip Russell Keightley RGA, elder Son of Sir Samuel Keightley, Drum House, Drumbeg died on 2nd March 1919 (aged 24 years) after 3 years heroic service in France and is buried with his mother Lady Keightley in grave 314, St. Patrick’s Parish Church graveyard. In about 1920, his father, Sir Samuel Keightley - barrister, poet and novelist published, ‘Among the Guns, Intimate Letters from Ypres and the Somme’ written by Captain Keightley.To see an online article showing this research work into the Keightley family, click on: The Keightley family - Drum House, Drumbeg.Among the Guns, Intimate Letters from Ypres and the Somme

To read Captain Keightley’s book online, click on: Among the Guns, Intimate Letters from Ypres and the Somme.

Brief history as recorded in a book ‘Lisburn’s Rich Church Heritage’ by John Kelly

The earliest record we know of refers to the Church of the Drum being rated at one mark for a tithe of sixteen pence in the taxation of Down in 1306. However, as the church is dedicated to St Patrick and is situated on an ancient ford of the river Lagan, a much earlier date can be inferred for the first church of Drumbeg. The lower part of the tower is part of the original Church built on the present site in 1798. The wooden spire of that church was-blown down in the big wind in 1831. Rebuilt in stone in 1833 it was incorporated into the design of the present church, rebuilt in 1870 and erected to the-cruciform design of Thomas Drew F.R.I.A. at a cost of about £2,500. In 1878 the members of the Montgomery family erected the lych gate, which is such a beautiful feature of Drumbeg. The inscription on the archway tells of the bequest of this notable landmark. Since then many additions have been made to the fabric and grounds with each generation and each rector moved to play a part towards making this church one of the most beautiful in Ireland. The yew trees were presented by Thomas Montgomery of Ballydrain in 1885. The church hall was built in the late 1890s and an extension added in 1996. In September 2007, The Rt Rev Harold Miller, Bishop of Down & Dromore, dedicated a new digital organ, which replaced one dedicated in December 1967. The present rector, the Rev Raymond Devenney, was instituted in September 2000. Plans are at an early stage for the building of a new church hall.