Church of Saint John
_small.JPG "Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Dromara, restored in 1744 and re-constructed in 1811.") |
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| Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Dromara, restored in 1744 and re-constructed in 1811. |
Rev Canon Charlie Leeke Rector |
Colin Gee Diocesan Lay Reader |
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| Rita Fee Rector’s Warden |
William
Norris Peoples warden |
Banbridge Road, Dromara.
Rector: Rev Canon Charlie Leeke
Telephone: 92650178
Diocesan Lay Reader: Colin Gee
Sunday Services: 12 noon
Holy Communion: 1st Sunday
Morning Prayer: 2nd & 4th Sunday
Family Service: 3rd Sunday
Praise Service: 5th Sunday
Website: www.downanddromore.org
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| Notice Board |
HISTORY
The present church occupies the site of the early church, included in the 1306 taxation. This church is mentioned on various occasions during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and became the only Prebend in the charter of Dromore Cathedral in 1609. It was in ruins in 1622; the OS memoir (1834) states that it was burned in 1641 and remained in ruins until 1690. It was restored in 1744. However, in 1811, the walls were raised, a new roof was built and the church was re-constructed by Bishop Thomas Percy, as a lozenge above the door tells us. The work included the building of a belfry for which a bell was purchase. New pews and windows were added; all this was carried out with the aid of a loan of £200 from the Board of First Fruits. Apparently a gallery was built in 1828, but was removed by 1888. The chancel, transepts and a new pitch pine roof were added in 1896; the church was re-consecrated and dedicated by the Bishop, Rt. Rev. T.J. Welland, in the name of Saint John the Evangelist on 15th February of that year.
There was a previous grouping with Garvaghy from 1703 to 1717 but the present grouping dates from 1885. More recent additions have included an access ramp for wheelchairs and the extension of the vestry to accommodate a toilet for disabled persons.
The Rev Canon Charlie Leeke, former Development Officer for Reconciliation in the Diocese of Down & Dromore (Think Again Team) will be instituted here on Tuesday 23rd September 2008. He succeeds the Rev Alan Millar who moved to St Comgall’s, Rathcoole in September 2006. Mr Colin Gee was appointed Diocesan Lay Reader here in June 2000.
A book written by the Rev Canon Dr Ernest Long, a former Rector of Dromara and Garvaghy, (1956-1985), gives a more detailed history of the Church of St John, Dromara. To see the book, click on: A Short History of the Parish of Dromara Ireland.
Brief history as recorded in a book ‘Lisburn’s Rich Church Heritage’ by John Kelly
The present church occupies the site of the early church, included in the 1306 taxation. This church is mentioned on various occasions during the 15th and 16th centuries. It was in ruins in 1622; the OS memoir (1834) states that it was burned in 1641 and remained in ruins until 1690. It was restored in 1744. In 1811, the walls were raised, a new roof was built and the church was re-constructed. The work included the building of a belfry. New pews and windows were added and apparently a gallery was built in 1828, but was removed by 1888. The chancel, transepts and a new pitch pine roof were added in 1896 and the church was re-consecrated and dedicated in February of that year. More recent additions have included an access ramp for wheelchairs and the extension of the vestry to accommodate a toilet for disabled persons. Mr Colin Gee became Diocesan Lay Reader in June 2000 and the present rector, the Rev Canon Charlie Leeke, was instituted in September 2008 in succession to the Rev Alan Millar.
