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Installation of
Rev David J. Irvine,
B.Sc(Hons), M.Div, Dip.Min.
First Markethill Presbyterian Church was filled
to capacity last Friday evening (8th January) with congregation and family
and friends of the Rev David Irvine who was installed by Newry Presbytery
as minister of the congregation. The Rev Irvine, had been minister of
Albany, Brigh and 1st Stewartstown congregations in the Presbytery of
Tyrone.
The commission of the Newry Presbytery conducted
the service of installation. The Rev Stephen S. Johnston, Moderator of
Presbytery welcomed everyone and led the service.
The Introit, "May The Peace" was sung by
the Choir, after which the congregation sang the Hymn "Jesus is King".
After Prayer, by the Moderator, the Rev David Temple, minister of
Warrenpoint and Rostrevor, read the Scripture and preached the sermon. The
congregation then sang the Hymn "In Christ Alone".
The offering,
which was taken up for the Students Bursary Fund, will be used to support
those in training for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
After the Dedication of the Offering by the Moderator, the Choir sang the
Anthem "Come, People of the Risen King".
The ceremony of Installation was conducted by
Rev Stephen Johnston, Moderator of Presbytery and Rev Stuart Finlay, Clerk
of Presbytery.
After the Act of Installation, the congregation
sang the Hymn "May The Mind Of Christ My Saviour". The Rev Nigel
Reid, Convenor of the Vacancy, and minister of Tullyallen and Mountnorris,
read the Scripture and and give the Charge to the Minister and
Congregation.
The congregation sang the Hymn "Lord Your
Church On Earth", and the Moderator pronounced the Benediction.
After the completion of the service and formal
ceremony, the Rev Irvine was welcomed to the Presbytery of Newry by the
Moderator. The Clerk's of Session of Brigh and 1st Stewartstown
congregations paid tribute to the Rev Irvine’s warm, clear and logical
preaching, his caring pastoral work, his unassuming and modest manner and
his strong belief in the Gospel.
Edwin McWilliams, Clerk of Session, welcomed
everyone, including guests and members of Presbytery and thanked all who
had been so supportive during the vacancy and to Presbytery and the
General Assembly for their help in filling the vacancy. He looked forward
to working with Rev and Mrs Irvine and wished them and their family God’s
richest blessing.
On behalf of the other churches in the district,
the Rev Neville Hughes, Rector of Mullabrack and Kilcluney. welcomed the
Rev and Mrs Irvine and family to the area.
Arrangements of
flowers were presented to Mrs Irvine and Mrs Reid by Dr Pamela Marshall.
Congregational Secretary, Kenny Maclean, spoke
of the sterling work and pastoral care carried out by the Rev Nigel Reid
during the vacancy and presented him with a token in appreciation of his
Convenorship. The Rev Reid suitably replied.
The final speech was that of the new Minister
himself, the Rev David Irvine, who thanked the people for coming along,
saying how much he looked forward to getting started into the work in the
congregation and how comfortable the committee had made the manse a home
for his family.
The Moderator then closed the proceedings with
prayer and the Rev and Mrs Irvine and family led everyone over to the
Small Memorial Hall where the ladies of the congregation had prepared a
delicious supper.
A very historic evening was enjoyed by all and
the warmest welcome given on what was one of the coldest nights of the
winter to date.
 David
Irvine was born in Enniskillen on 30th September 1962, second son of
George and Anna Irvine. He grew up in the congregation of Cavanleck, near
Fivemiletown, where he was ordained as an Elder in 1989. After education
he worked as an accountant in practice and then spent several years
working as a financial director of a manufacturing company.
On 2nd August 1986 he married Pauline, daughter
of Rev and Mrs Arthur Curry. The wedding service was conducted by the
bride's father in Warrenpoint Presbyterian Church.
Sensing God's call to the Presbyterian ministry
David was accepted as a student for the ministry in 1999 and commenced
training at Union Theological College, Belfast the following year. He
graduated with a Master of Divinity (with distinction) from QUB in
December 2003. Serving his assistantship in Dungannon Presbyterian Church
under Rev Bob Allely, a former minister of Markethill.
David and Pauline have five children: Matthew
(born 1991), who, at present is in his first year at Queen's University,
Belfast, studying medicine; Naomi (born 1993) who is in lower sixth at the
Royal School, Dungannon; James (born 1995) is third year at the Royal
School, Armagh; Lois (born 1999) (P7) and Philip (born 2001) (P4), both of
whom are at Markethill Primary School. |
Mrs.
Madge Smyth, a member of Markethill Presbyterian Church, celebrated a
century of birthday’s on Saturday 22nd January with a party for family and
friends. Including those present was the Rt. Rev. Dr. Norman Hamilton,
Moderator of the General Assembly and her minister the Rev. David Irvine. 
“After
that we moved to an aunt’s house in lslandmagee to get away from the
bombs before returning to the Whitewell Road, where we lived until my
husband died 25 years ago. “After that I came to live in Markethill with
my daughter Betty Slane and I got a wee cottage of my own.” During her
time living at Keady Street in Markethill, Mrs. Smyth played an active
role within the community and her daily routine involved a walk up and
down the hill of the Market town every day. “We had a wee pensioners’ club
on a Wednesday afternoon and as well as that, I always enjoyed going to
concerts.” Madge was faithful in her attendance at Markethill Presbyterian
Church. 
