Rev. Archibald Maclaine M.A.

Born in Scotland; the son of the Rev. Alexander Maclaine, of Kilmaglass, Argyleshire and also Bute. Before coming to Ireland, Rev. Maclaine seems to have been Episcopally ordained in 1685. He was an eminent minister of the Church of Scotland where he suffered severely for his attachment to Presbyterianism in the persecuting times during the reign of Charles II. On 6th August 1690 he resigned, adhering to Presbyterianism and admitted into communion by Synod. He was installed in Kilbride, Arran on 7th July 1692, resigning in 1698. He came over to Ireland and was installed by the Presbytery of Tyrone in Markethill. Mr. Maclaine had the serious distinction of having been one of the first Presbyterian ministers in Ireland to be prosecuted by the Bishops Court for celebrating marriages according to the Presbyterian form. In his day he was considered one of the best masters of the Irish language. He was Moderator of the Synod of Ulster during 1711-1712.He died on 20th July 1734, and was buried in the graveyard at Mullabrack Parish Church.

Rev. George Ferguson

Born in County Down, educated in Scotland, licensed by Bangor Presbytery in 1736 and ordained in Markethill 10th March 1741. During his ministry a memorable and historic occurrence took place, in 1739, some of the congregation seceded and formed a congregation at Portnorris (Tullyallen and Mountnorris). Also, in 1745, others seceded and formed the Secession congregation (2nd Markethill). He retired during 1780 and for some time before his death on 6th June 1782, was a confirmed invalid.

Rev. Samuel Sloane

The second son of Andrew Sloane, farmer, near Rathfriland, was educated in Glasgow, licensed by Dromore Presbytery in 1780 and ordained in Markethill 18th June 1780. He seems to have been a man of considerable literary distinction. At the funeral of his predecessor he preached a sermon, which was published in 1782. The text was taken from the Book of Job, chapter fourteen, and verse fourteen. The sermon when published, in 1782, consisted of thirty-one closely printed pages. After a brief ministry of thirteen years he died 15th March 1793.

Rev. William Charlton

The first son of John Charlton, a farmer of Emyvale, was educated at Glasgow and licensed by Monaghan Presbytery in 1792. He was ordained at Markethill on 19th March 1794; but alas he was not long ordained when a grave moral neglect of duty on his part took place and the congregation laid specific charges against him at a meeting of the General Synod on the 24th June 1794. Fourteen years after his ordination, Armagh Presbytery "dissolved the connection between Rev Charlton and congregation" on the l5th June 1808. He continued to live a precarious life in the district for some time after his suspension. On the 4th June 1833 he was deposed for celebrating marriages irregularly. The date of his death is not recorded.

Rev. Paul Boreland

The fourth son of Matthew Boreland, farmer, of Kilraughts, he was born in 1774, educated at Glasgow 1798, licensed by Route Presbytery 1806. and on 26th September 1809 ordained in Markethill. Nothing is recorded of his ministry, which came to an abrupt end when he became infirm and retired during 1828. He died at Hamiltonsbawn on the 15th July 1831.

Rev. John Fisher

Born near Donacloney, educated at Old College, Belfast 1822, licensed by Dromore Presbytery 1824 and ordained in Markethill on 23rd. June 1828. Again the congregation had a minister with whom their relations were far from happy. For a time he was Clerk of the Presbytery of Armagh. On 25th March 1842, the long series of quarrels came to an end, as he was suspended by the Presbytery. From here he emigrated to United States of America where he died of cholera at St. Louis on 2nd August 1850.

Rev. Alexander Goudy Ross B.A., M.A. A son of James Ross, merchant, Monaghan, he was educated in Glasgow, licensed by the Presbytery of Monaghan in 1840 and was ordained in Markethill on the 5th February 1843. He married Miss Mary Anne McClure of Millmount, Derrycughan, Markethill, in 1843. He died 24th February 1858 and was the first minister of the congregation to be buried in the graveyard surrounding the Meeting House.

Rev. Hillis Kyle B.A., LL.B.

He was the son of John Kyle of Maghera, educated at Queen’s College, and Assembly’s College, Belfast. Licensed by Belfast Presbytery in 1857 and ordained here 29th September 1858. Mr. Kyle’s ministry came to an abrupt end when he died 24th November 1860, a period of just over two years in the congregation. He was buried at Maghera Old Graveyard.

Rev. George Nesbitt He was the son of William Nesbitt of Drumshannon, Newbliss, County Monaghan. He and his cousin Rev. Joseph Nesbitt emigrated to America after having completed their education in Ireland and Scotland. He returned to Ireland, owing to the failure of his health and was ordained at Tartaraghan 29th June 1853, and moved to this congregation on 29th May 1861. Mr Nesbitt lived for a period at Kilbracks, where he owned nine acres, later moving to to the new Manse built at Edenkennedy. Mr. Nesbitt laboured with much acceptance for a quarter of a century, beloved by the congregation and respected by all who knew him. He died 7th February 1886 and was interred in the graveyard attached to the Meeting House.

Rev. Henry William Morrow M.A.

Born 11th December 1857, a son of William Morrow, Magherascourse, Ballygowan, licensed at Comber on 26th May 1884 and ordained here on 30th June 1886. The Rev. Morrow, in 1904, after a ministry of eighteen years, accepted a call from Second Omagh (Trinity) where he was installed on 16th November. Rev. Morrow’s name will ever be associated with the congregation, for our beautiful Upper Meeting House owes its existence almost entirely to his efforts. For years his energies were devoted to its erection and it was built under his personal supervision. He even went to America and there received a large amount of money to pay for the erection of the Church. During his ministry in Second Omagh, in 1919, the Doctor of Divinity degree was conferred on him. Dr. Morrow retired 4th October 1926 and went to live in Finaghy, where he helped in Church Extension. Amongst his writings were, Questions asked and answered by our Lord; The War and Immorality; and The Shadow of God. He died 19th October 1934, in his 77th year.

Rev. Hugh Henry Moore M.A.

He was born in 1859, licensed by Belfast Presbytery on 4th September 1883; was ordained at Kells, County Meath, 17th October 1883, installed minister of Hilltown on 30th June 1885 and installed as minister of this congregation on 25th January 1905. Rev Moore retired as minister of First Markethill on 1st November 1919, to facilitate the Union of First and Second Markethill. It is from his little book "Three Hundred Years of Congregational Life" that many of the facts contained in this web were obtained. In 1928, he sold the Manse and went to reside at Newcastle, where he died 23rd October 1940.