GlenavyHistory.com

XXXIV Templepatrick Presbytery, congregaries, ministers & towns

Crumlin - Alexander G Canning, Crumlin

Ordination Service at Crumlin.

On Tuesday last, the Presbytery of Templepatrick met in the Presbyterian Church, Crumlin, for the purpose of ordaining Mr. J.A. Canning assistant and successor to his father, Rev. A.C. Canning, who, after a ministry of over half a century, has resigned the active duties of the ministry in connection with this congregation. There was a large congregation present. After devotional exercises, Rev. R.M. McBride preached an able and forcible discourse from the text "Dotli Job fear God for nought?" (1st chapter of Job, 9th verse). Rev. John McClure gave a lucid explanation of the Presbyterian form of Church government, after which the charge to minister-elect and people was delivered by the Rev. Thomas West. Mr. Canning was then solemnly set apart to the duties of the ministry by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, Rev. Mr. Canning, sen., offering up the ordination prayer. In this afternoon, the Presbyterian and a company of friends were entertained by the congregation at luncheon in the Courthouse. Rev. Arthur Pakenham, J.P. Presided.

PRESBYTERIANISM IN CRUMLIN DURING THE
LAST FIFTY YEARS.

[Contributed by the Rev. J. .A. Canning, LL.B.]

THE connection between Crumlin Presbyterians and the General Assembly was established in the year 1838, when, under its regime, fourteen families formed themselves into a congregation, and presented a call to the Rev. A. C. Canning, a licentiate of the Derry Presbytery. On the 13th of October of that year he was ordained in a circular group of trees still standing outside the village. The exertion of the young clergyman was then put forth to develop his small nucleus of a congregation, and to erect a church. An appeal was made to the lord of the soil, the Honourable General Pakenham, for a building site, and he, with the catholicity of spirit and practical generosity which have ever characterised his family, cheerfully granted the request, and gave as freehold the ground required, and in all the early struggles of the infant church uniformly proved himself the congregation's friend and liberal supporter. Through the exertion of the minister and congregation, and the hearty response made by their own and the sister churches, in the year 1839 the present building was opened for public worship by the Rev. James Morgan, D.D., of Fisherwick Place Church, Belfast. In the church records the following names appear as members of the first session :- "William Beattie, Robert Macauley, J. Ballantine, John Dickson, and Thomas English." Led by "the Kindly Light" of the Church's Great Head, cheered and strengthened by the good wishes and generous aid of many friends outside their own "communion," the zealous pastor and his devoted people soon found that "their lines had fallen in pleasant places," and they "had a goodly heritage." The germ of orthodox Presbyterianism continued to grow, and now, after the lapse of 50 years, with many an ebb and flood in its short history, there are in connexion with the congregation almost a hundred families. Having served that Master who had led him through many difficulties, and had crowned his efforts with success, Mr. Canning, after a faithful and fruitful ministry of fifty-one years, retired from the active duties of the pastorate, and was succeeded by his son, the Rev. J. A. Canning, who continues to work in a portion of the vine-yard breathed upon by the kindly and inspiriting influence of zealous co-operation in the congregation, and cordial sympathy on the part of the other religious communities.

Presbytery of Templepatrick

Crumlin

From Moore's Quay by road passing Aldergrove Cross Roads to river, by river to road through Randox; by road through Randox to Dundesert River; by River to road passing Springfield; by road passing Springfield, Heathery Hill, Ballymonymore to Glenavy, by road passing Pigeontown and Leap Bridge, by river to shore; by Coast to Moore's Quay.

Presbyterian Church, Crumlin. Situated north of Main Street, Crumlin. Townland - Ballytromery.