GlenavyHistory.com

The other Church in the Parish is St. Andrew's, Tunny, on the shores of Lough Neagh, almost five miles from Glenavy. It was dedicated as a chapel-of-ease and opened for worship on 25th March, 1855. Improvements in 1893 included the addition of a chancel, lancet windows and a heating system. For the, centenary celebrations in 1955 the church was completely renovated and. redecorated within and without, a calor gas lighting system installed, windows replaced and many gifts presented. The erection of a bell-tower over the porch and vestry marked the most striking change in the appearance of the church.The bell was a gift from Castle Connell Parish from the disused church at O'Brien's Bridge, Co. Limerick, Diocese of Killaloe.

St. Andrew's Tunny.

St. Andrew's Tunny was built in 1854, although one report states it was opened for worship in 1857. It was consecrated on Monday the 31st of July 1893 at 2.45 p.m.

The building cost £209, and was rather plain when first erected. However, over the years it has greatly been improved. The Report of 1883 states: ‘Feumore Church has been put into a complete state of repair. The church has been entirely re-seated in the new, and the house all finished in the best way. Sir. Richard Wallace liberally subscribed towards the funds for this purpose the sum of £30.’

In 1893 this is recorded: ‘The contemplated improvements at Feumore have been successfully carried out. The changes made comprise the addition of a chancel, fifteen feet long, in which the choir and the harmonium have been placed with all the necessary furniture, the insertion of lancet windows with tinted glass, the enlargement of the porch, new entrance gates and lamps.’

From the 1904 Report we learn that ‘St. Andrew's Church, Feumore, kept its fiftieth anniversary last year and in commemoration of this milestone a very handsome marble and caen stone font was placed in the aisle of the church with a suitable inscription. The members of the Bible Class very quickly raised the money to purchase the font.’

St. Andrew's: On Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday, 18th October, the Lord Bishop of Cashel, Emly, Waterford, and Lismore, the Rt. Rev. J.W. Armstrong, B.D., dedicated the entire interior renovation of the Church and the new doors of the porch. With the exception of the making and hanging of the doors, the entire work was carried out voluntarily by some member of the congregation led by Mr. R. Yarr and Mr. Jim Totten. Funds have been raised by direct giving at the usual special services and by a further afternoon and evening on Ram's Island. It is hoped to undertake exterior renovation as soon as possible.

St. Andrew's Church, Glenavy

Completely Restored

A special service was held in St. Andrew's Church (Glenavy Parish), Tunny, on Sunday evg., 18th inst. Following complete renovation of the building. The preacher was Canon J S Taylor, MA, rector of Lisburn Cathedral, and a congregation of 120 people attended, filling the small church to capacity.

At the conclusion of an impressive sermon on thanksgiving for another harvest, Canon Taylor impressed on the congregation the necessity of giving not only their money but themselves to the service of the Kingdom of God.

The offertory, which was in aid of the renovation fund, realised the creditable sum of £34 10s, which, together with collections made by Mr D Johnston, brought the total for this object up to £66.

The Vicar (Rev W J Chambers) is most grateful to the generous subscribers and especially to Mr D Mairs, JP, Mr D Johnston, Mr Mayes and Mr S Buchanan, JP, Roses Lane Ends, who never fail to help any good cause.