Bangor Abbey
in Abbey St., near Newtownards Rd, Bangor

In 558 AD, St. Comgall founded a monastery near this site. From the 9th century, a university was here but was constantly attacked by Vikings. St. Malacy was appointed abbot in 1124 & built the church. It was rebuilt 13th century but the tower is 15th century & a spire was added in 1693. The vicar in 1720 was Rev. Robert Hamilton & in 1824 was Rev. George Armstrong. (POD).

The church was rebuilt in 1832 with plain architecture after workmen trying to do work on it found it unstable. Only the tower is old. .It cost £950 which was defrayed by subscription & assessment of the parish. It could hold 500 people. The rector in 1846 was Rev Henry Johnston with Rev John Watters as curate. There was a Church Education society Schoolhouse nearby in 1863.The church was closed in 1882 in favour of the new, larger Church of Ireland in the south of the town St. Comgall's before being renovated in 1917.

Newspaper articles from Newtownards Chronicle;
death notice 22 Jan 1876; fete and fair at castle 19 Jul 1879;

records in local custody; Baptisms, 1920-; marriages, 1923-; burials, 1941-; preachers’ books, 1901-.; North of Ireland FHS http://www.nifhs.org has baptisms 1803-1900 & marriages 1805-1900 & confirmations 1855-1873 & burials 1818-1900; PRONI (MIC583/1;CR/1/87 & in local custody) Baptisms, 1803-1981; marriages, 1805-1980; burials ,1815-1977; confirmations, 1851, 1855, 1858, 1861,1863, 1865, 1868, 1873 and 1877-1901; vestry minutes, 1788-1978; registers of vestrymen, 1870-1969.Preachers’ books, 1828; UHF has baptisms 1803-43 & burials 1814-1829 & 1841-1846 ; no graveyard; church memorials UHF Vol 17; http://www.rootsireland.ie have burials 1814-1829; 1841-1846 ; burials in the old Abbey; email me for a gravestone look-up

Graveyard inscriptions UHF Vol 17; photo in Vol 17; email me for a gravestone look-up; for gravestone photos try http://www.graves.homecall.co.uk/BangorAbbey/FrameSet.htm

This photo was kindly sent to me by Brian McCleary

Bangor Church of Ireland - St.Comgall's

corner Hamilton & Castle Sts, Bangor

1st Presbyterian Church, Bangor
in Main St., in Corporation townland in the south of Town

This congregation dates back to 1623 when Rev. Robert Blair was invited over from Scotland by Lord Claneboy. He was deposed and members of the church were involved in the rebellion of 1641. The next minister wasn't until 1646 when Rev. Gilbert Ramsay came over from Scotland. He was imprisoned and deposed in 1661 and after the Restoration his Meeting House was pulled down. by Lady Clanbrassil in 1669. The next minister was Rev. Archibald Hamilton from Scotland in 1672. He suceeded by his grandson Rev. Hamilton for one year. Then there was a long vacancy until 1704 when Rev. William Biggar from Scotland was installed. He returned in 1728. The congregatrion was again without a minister until Robert Blackwood Esq. formerly requested a new minister from the Synod. The next minister was Rev. James Mackay in 1732 but by 1747 the congregation was again vacant. Rev. Cochrane was appointed in 1748 until 1760. Next we have Rev. James Hull 1763-1793 when he became infirm and Rev. Daavid Taggart became his assistant. After Rev. Taggart drowned in 1808, he was suceeded by Rev. Hugh Woods who was instrumental in building 2nd Bangor, Groomsport, Ballygilbert, Ballybrainey & Conlig churches to suit the expanding population. After Rev. Woods retirement, Rev. Joserph C. McCullough took over in 1857. After his death in 1878, he was suceeded by Rev. Alexander Patton in 1879.

This was a smaller meeting house at the south end of town in Main Street, Bangor. It was built in 1829 at a cost of £846 which was paid by subscription. It holds 500 people. The minister in 1829 ,1846 & 1863 was Rev. Hugh Woods. (POD). There was a National School adjacent in 1863. The minister in 1910 was Rev. John Waddell with assistant Rev. Thomas Patterson & organist A.E.J. McCreary.

articles from Newtownards Chronicle newspaper;
death of Rev. J.C. McCullagh 7 Dec 1878; Rev. Alex Patton installed as new minister 21 Jun 1879; opening of Lecture Hall & School 22 Sep 1894; Armenian challenged by Police in church 17 Aug 1895

Records in PRONI MIC1P/23; CR/3/4 - Baptisms, 1852-88 and 1895-1923; marriages, 1808- 1932; index to marriages, 1808-45; title deeds and
leases, 1696-1868. No graveyard but memorials available; email me for a look-up;North of Ireland FHS http://www.nifhs.org has Baptisms 1839-1923; Marriages 1808-1932

2nd Trinity Presbyterian Church
in the centre of Bangor town, Main Street opposite Ballymagee Street

This congregation was erected by a Committee of the Synod of Ulster in 1828 as the population was expanding . The first minister was Rev. William Patterson who was appointed 5 Aug 1829 til Jun 1879. The original church in Ash Loanen (Brunswick Road,) was described as a large, fine building. It built in 1834 at a cost of £2,400 which was defrayed by subscription. It held 1,000 people. The minister in 1879 was Rev, William Clarke then in 1883 was Rev. D. Gordon. The newer church above was completed in 1889 to house the growing population. The minister in 1910 was Rev. R.J. Morrell.

Article from Newtownards Chronicle newspaper;
installation of Rev. W. Clarke 2 Aug 1879; death of Rev William Patteson, minister 3 Apr 1886; completion of building works 28 Jul 1888

Records in PRONI MIC1P/256- Baptisms, 1829-1984; marriages, 1829-44.

Bangor Catholic Church- St.Comgall's
27 Brunswick Rd, Bangor BT20 3DS

Catholics originally met in an empty house in Ballymagee Street then a small church was built in 1851 by Rev. William McAlea (parish priest at Newtownards) with the new church built beside the older one in 1890 and dedicated 23 Aug 1891. In 1901 there were only 424 Catholics in the parish.

Priests were ;Rev. Peter McKenna 1903- 1907; Rev. Richard Stroey 1907- 1909; Rev. Henry Boyle 1909- 1916; Rev. Patrick Scally 1916- 1940; Rev. Thomas MacGowan 1940- 1946; Rev. Michael Fullen 1946- 1959; Rev. P atrick McAtamney 1959- 1969; Rev. Gerard Brady 1969- 1978; Rev. Gerard Laverty 1979- 1985; Rev. Hilary Armstrong 1985-1995; Rev. Gerard Patton 1995- 2000; Rev. James Donaghy 2000+

records from 1855 are in the custody of the parish priest; no graveyard; Presbytery in Brunswick Road- Tel; 9146 3093 or 9146 5425

Groomsport Church of Ireland

at the SE end of the village

This Chapel of Ease was built in 1848.The rector in 1910 was Rev. S.S. Holmes.

memorial inscriptions UHF Vol 17; email me for a memorial look-up

Records in PRONI MIC1/350- [Earliest registers destroyed in Dublin]- Baptisms, 1876-1951; marriages, 1869-1968; Vestry minutes, 1871-; preachers’ books, 1852 & in local custody
This photo was kindly send to me by Rodger Stubbings.

Groomsport Presbyterian Church

This congregation was an offshoot from 1st Bangor church in 1828. Before this church in Main Street, Groomsport was built, Church services were held in the home of a parishioner at 17 Main Street then this site was acquired in June 1841. The Church was officially opened in 1843, with the bell tower and clock gifted a few years later. In 1841 there were 150 subscribers under its first minister, Rev. Isaac Mack, who was pastor for 37 years until 1877 then Rev. James Latimer was minister for 21 years until 1899. There was a National Schoolhouse adjoining in 1863. The Orange Hall was in Main Street in 1863. It was described in 1892 as being a credit to the congregation with the manse being the best in the Presbytery. The whole district was a Presbyterian stronghold with Scots Presbyterians settling 200 years before. The minister from 1878 was Rev. James Latimer & in 1910 was Rev. J.A. Mulligan .

Records from 1841; North of Ireland FHS http://www.nifhs.org has baptisms1841-1903& marriages 1841-1936; PRONI MIC1P/262 - Baptisms, 1841-1903; marriages, 1841-1936. ; no graveyard but 2 memorials available, ; email me for a gravestone look-up
Also try http://www.presbyterianireland.org/congregations/groomsport.html

Helens Bay Presbyterian

The minister in 1901 was Rev. R.J Morell.

Articles from Newtownards Chromicle newspaper;
speech by Lord Dufferin 31 Oct 1896; opening services 15 May 1897; installation of Robert Montgomery 26 Feb 1898;
There is a book written "History of Helen's Bay Presbyterian Church' by Margaret A.K. Garner

North of Ireland FHS ( http://www.nifhs.org) has Baptisms 1895-1950; Marriages 1898-1949

Ballygrainey Presbyterian Church

This congregation was an offshoot of 1st Bangor in 1828 as the population was expanding. This meeting house in Ballygrainey townland is called 'Bethel' and was built in 1837 by Rev. Abraham Liggate. The first minister was Rev. J.R. McAlister then Rev. Samuel Blair 1838-1844 then was Rev. Samuel Magaw 1845-1861 then Rev. William Clarke 1861-1876 then Rev. Samuel Morrison from 1877. It's where the six roads meet.

Newspaper article from Down Recorder;
lecture by Lord Dufferin 12 Aug 1865

Newspaper article from Newtownards Chronicle;
proposed amalgamation with Conlig Presbyterian 22 Mar 1884

Records from 1838; North of Ireland FHS (www.nifs.org) has baptisms 1838-1949 & marriages 1845- 1949 & burials 1861- 1999 ; the Presbyterian Historical Society, Belfast has Session Minute Books 1862–1972; PRONI MIC1P/230/6;MIC1P/407- Baptisms, 1830-1940; marriages, 1838-1912; deaths, 1861-4, 1877-1951 and 1962-74; marriage notices, 1879-1906. ; no graveyard;

Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church
2km SW of Crawfordsburn on the Belfast to Bangor road

This congregation was an offshoot of 1st Bangor in 1828 as the population was expanding.This church opened 19 Jun 1843. Some ministers were Rev. Abraham Light 1841-1851; Rev. John Quartz 1852-1901; Rev. William Dickson 1900-1909; Rev. W.J. McFarland 1909-1919; Rev. William Orr 1919-1922; Rev. Harry McMaster 1923-1934; Very Rev Dr. W. A. Park 1935-1972; Rev. Derek McKelvey 1973-

records from 1841; North of Ireland FHS (www.nifs.org) has baptisms 1841-1949& marriages 1845 -1949; no graveyard; church memorial inscriptions UHF Vol 17; PRONI MIC1P/392; T/2653/1- Baptisms, 1841-1901; marriages, 1843-1905; newcommunicants, 1845-55; autobiographical details on families in the congregation compiled in 1846.

Conlig Presbyterian Church
2km S of Bangor ,in the village

This congregation was an offshoot of 1st Bangor as the population was expanding. The first minister, Rev. Samuel Hamilton was appointed to the congregation in 24 Feb 1846. John Sinclair Esq. of Belfast was instrumental in establishing this congregation. The church was built entirely at his own expense in 1848 and serviced the lead miners in the area. Rev. Hamilton was succeeded by Rev. S. J. Hanson on 22 Aug 1854 until 1860 when Rev. William Craig was appointed. He died in 1872 and was succeeded by Rev. David Gordon on 7 Jan 1873 . He was succeded by Rev. Hugh Porter on 8 Oct 1884 until at least. 1900 .

Articles from Newtownards Chronicle newspaper;
lecture on the Press 10 Jul 1875; move to amalgamate with Ballygrainey church 22 Mar 1884

Records from 1845; PRONI MIC1P/94- Baptisms, 1845-1919; marriages, 1850-1935; committee minutes, 1848-1937; session and committee minutes, with lists of communicants, 1848- 1956; on MIC1P/230/6- Marriage notices, 1845-1941.

graveyard attached, only one pre- 1900 gravestone for John Sinclair in UHF Vol 17; email me for a gravestone look-up

This photo was kindly sent to me by Joe Montgomery.

Crawfordsburn village

There was a school here in 1863.

Newspaper articles from Down Recorder;
assizes 25 Feb 1843: garden outraged 20 Jul 1850; address to tenants by W.S. Crawford (?); David Morrow shot by Edward Bradley at Freemans Reunion at Crawfordsburn 27 Jun 1874 ; account of Tent life in Crawforsburn 1 Jul 1882+ ; improvements to town 22 May 1886; suspicious occurance 31 Aug 1889

Newspaper articles from Newtownards Chronicle;
Ards Bicycle Club, Crawfordsburn to Bangor run 2 Jul 1892