The Church

The first thing people notice is the date, 1777, above the entrance into the Church. However that is the date the present church building was completed, as the Congregation dates back to 1658. Alexander Hutcheson, who was born in Ayrshire, was ordained in Saintfield (then called by its Irish name Tonaghneave) some fifteen months after he had commenced preaching and organising the Congregation in 1658. Mr Hutcheson has the rare distinction of being on the ministerial roll of the Parish Church as well as First Saintfield as for three years he occupied the pulpit of the disused parish Church until deposed in 1661 by the newly appointed Bishop Jeremy Taylor. Presbyterians continued worship in their meeting house, a humble building with a thatched roof, clay floor and a gravelled aisle leading from the door to the pulpit, by tradition believed to have been situated at the Fair Green.

On entering the vestibule one's attention is drawn to the tablet on the wall with its cautionary advice "Consider that ye here worship in the presence of him who seeth your actions and will shortly be your judge". Thomas Ledlie Birch was the minister who, a year after his ordination, had prompted the building of the Church at a cost of £700, an appreciable sum in those days. Exterior stone steps led to the gallery above; the vestibule being an addition in 1840. On either side in wall cabinets are the communion vessels in use since 1922 when separate cups were first used replacing the common cup. The three windows facing Main Street are war memorial windows put in place after the First World War. Other stained glass windows in the Church's interior were erected by members of the Congregation to the memory of deceased relatives. In 1890 new pews replaced the existing ones, and a new pulpit built by a local craftsman was installed replacing the original one.

In 1921 the organ was first installed, where previously a precentor with his tuning fork led the choir. Also where previously only psalms were sung, the new hymnbook came into use. At this time eight circular windows were added to allow more light to the gallery; each window depicting a Biblical plant. The old ceiling was taken down and replaced by the present panelled design.

At the foot of the Graveyard are two graves of United Irishmen who died at the 'Battle of Saintfield' in the 1798 rebellion. Among the trees beside the river lies York Island, the communal grave of many of the Yorkshire Fencibles killed in that battle on a Saturday afternoon, 9th June 1798.

The Guildhall

In the 1890's during Rev. Stewart Dickson's ministry it became evident that there was need of a Church hall for Sunday School and social meetings that were becoming more common.

The Church Committee bought and demolished some small houses in Comber Street adjacent to the Church and work commenced on building the Church hall in 1900. The building was completed in 1901 and was declared open by Mrs Hanna, Knock, Belfast on 20th November 1901. Earlier in 1892, a Congregational Guild was established, its aim being to foster and stimulate fellowship among its members, to be educational and to afford an opportunity for exchange of views on matters religious and secular. Some consider the name Guildhall to be derived from this Guild, but older members of the congregation state that Mr Dickson liked the name Guildhall and the Congregational Committee gladly acceded to his wish.

The upper assembly hall was originally called the flag room where many flags were hung on each side; the flags being of St. Patrick, St. George, St. Andrew and the Union flag, and British Empire flags. In the upper hallway, facing the kitchen is a cabinet in which a musket retrieved after the Battle of Saintfield in the 1798 rebellion, and a sword from the early 1800's are displayed.

On the ground floor is a suite of rooms that are suitable for smaller groups, and a lift to aid disabled people to reach the upper assembly hall - a thoughtful provision made in extensive renovations carried out during 1998 - 1999.

Since it was built the Guildhall has had three major renovations. In 1957 adding a kitchen, vestibule with a clock to the southern end extended it. Later in 1977 old buildings on the main street in front of the Church and Guildhall were demolished, the area being landscaped and enclosed by a low wall and railings. The kitchen was also modernised at this time. Finally during 1998 - 1999 a major renovation and extension of the Guildhall was completed, leaving the Congregation with a Church and Guildhall to take us into the new millennium with strong faith in the future.

Much credit must be given to the members of successive Property Committees who have maintained the buildings in such fine condition over the years.
James McIlhinney