Christ Church
Derriaghy, County Antrim
Some 6 miles south west of Belfast and situated in picturesque surroundings overlooking the Lagan Valley Regional Park to the east, Colin Mountain to the northwest and Black Mountain to the north.
A large, imposing rectangular building of 1779 with a hipped roof and Gibbsian details. The church may have been designed by Belfast architect Roger Mulholland. The congregation dates back to 1676 and this is the third building since that date. The interior is largely unchanged since the 18th century with a central pulpit along the long wall and box pews throughout the church, including the two side galleries.
All the windows are clear glass except for one window facing the pulpit which was unveiled in 1903 in memory of the McCance family. Designed by local artist Robert J Norman it was made by Campbell Brothers of Belfast and was clearly inspired by the work of Tiffany of New York. The McCance family had a long association with the congregation and were involved in the linen business. The image in the window depicts the journey from their home at Woodburn House to the church.
The congregation was particularly associated with the Rev Dr Henry Montgomery (1788-1865), the ‘Lion of Dunmurry’, 56 years minister to the congregation, a radical Presbyterian who was the founder of the Remonstrant Synod of Ulster in 1830. He is commemorated by a blue plaque installed in 2015 and by a contemporary memorial inside the church. His family mausoleum can be found at the back of the church in the graveyard which contains the burial place of many significant figures in the history of Belfast.
The pulpit was restored in the 1970s in memory of church member Miss Elizabeth Andrews (1910-1973), the daughter of Thomas Andrews, the designer of RMS Titanic. The pulpit is fronted by a seat for the precentor who would have led the singing of the Psalms in the 18th century with a tuning fork. This congregation would have been among the first Presbyterian churches in Ireland to move from the singing of the Psalms alone to the use of hymns accompanied by an organ.
The Glebe, which adjoins the Hall, now contains the church library bequeathed by the Very Revd William McMillan. The whole site is surrounded by extensive grounds which are a haven for wildlife.