Annahilt Church of Ireland
Church of the Ascension
north of the village

There was a church founded on this site in 8th century by St. Molibba called Enaceilte. It was rebuilt in 1422 and again in 1741.Only the ruined tower of the medieval church remains in the graveyard. 100 families attend here in 1836 when the rector was Rev. Mr. Faloon.The present church , above, was built 1856. The rector in 1859 was Rev. W.H. Pelcher & in 1875 was Rev John Frederick Gordon & in 1910 was Rev. Francis Matchett.

Baptisms from 1842, burials from 1857; graveyard attached ,gravestone inscriptions UHF Vol 18; email me for a gravestone look-up

Annahilt Presbyterian Church
Windmill Rd, Annahilt
in Ballykeel- Ednagonnel townland; 1/2 km N of the Hillsborough to Ballynahinch road

This congregation was often called Hillsborough because if its location. The first known minister was Rev. John McBroom from Scotland who arrived 1663 and ministered until his death in 1682. He was succeeded by Rev. James Ramsay until his death in 1708 then Rev. Charles Seaton who ministered until his death in 1737. Next was Rev. Samuel Simms until 1746 then Rev. John Semple 1749 until his death in 1758. His successor was Rev. Robert McClure from 1760 with the assistant of Rev. William Wright M.D. who succeeded him in 1802 & when he also became infirmed Rev. Thomas Greer assisted from 1839 & stayed for 47 years. The present church was built in 1889 to replace at least two older churches, during the ministry of the minister in 1910 was Rev. Josias Mitchell who retired in 1925. He was followed by Rev. Hugh McKinty in 1926 , who installed a new organ, electric lighting & heating. After his death in 1950 Rev. David Joshua Irwin installed new windows & a new organ. After his retirement in 1973, Rev. John Scott Martin was installed & sold the manse & the old Ballykeel-Ednagonnell School/church hall in 1975 . The congregation was united with Drumlough (Dromore) in 1974 and Rev John Scott Martin was the first minister of the united churches. He retired in 1997 and was replaced by Rev. Gary Glasgow in 1998 .

baptisms from 1780, marriages from 1824; gravestones UHF Vol 18; email me for a gravestone look-up

This photo was kindly sent by Ken Stacey

Cargycreevy Presbyterian Church

on the Ballynahinch to Lisburn road in Annahilt Parish

This meeting house was rebuilt in 1847 by Rev. Robert Scott Erwin, minister for 40 years until his death in 1887.

Newspaper articles from Down Recorder;
reopened, article 19 Aug 1854

Records from 1779 ;records held at PRONI under MIC/1P/358; graveyard attached; gravestone inscriptions UHF Vol 18 , oldest stone 1848; previous burials in Killaney old graveyard; email me for a gravestone look-up

Loughaghery Presbyterian Church
in Cluntagh/ Cargygray townland- just south of Loughaghrey Road,Hillsborough
Co. Down
Northern Ireland
BT26 6DB; phone 028-97564291

The congregation started when the minister was away. This new congregation was started by Rev John Semple in 1750 and the meeting house was built 1755 near Loughaghery & rebuilt 1761 in Cargygray townland near the earlier one.It was rebuilt again in 1775 & replaced later by present building. In 1836 it was described as a stone, roughcast, whitewashed building with the inside fitted with 130 pews and 3 galleries. The roof was not ceiled and the lighting was bad. It was capable of seating 800 people with the average attendance then at 300 .

The ministers were Rev. William Moorehead 1786-1829, his son Rev. Robert Moorehead 1829-1877 & his son Rev. John Nesbitt Moorhead 1877-1938.

Newspaper articles from Newtownards Chronicle;
dispute about a grave 27 Jan 1894;

Baptisms from 1801 , marriages from 1830, graveyard attached, gravestone inscriptions UHF Vol 18; oldest stone 1807; email me for a gravestone look-up