Small Memorial Hall

On 6th April 1936, in the presence of a large gathering, which included Viscountess Craigavon and the Right Rev. Dr. A. F. Moody M.A., Moderator of the General Assembly, the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Viscount Craigavon opened the Robert Montgomery Small Memorial Hall, built in connection with our congregation. The late Robert M. Small in his legacy, that provided the money, with which the hall had been erected, stated, "........ and the ultimate residue of the [his] property for building, or assisting to build, a hall for public meetings in connection with the First Markethill Presbyterian Church, to be known as the "Robert Montgomery Small Memorial Hall" and on condition that the building should be completed within ten years of his death. Considerable delay was caused in negotiations for obtaining a suitable site, but in the meantime the cost of building materials decreased, while the interest accruing on the money swelled the funds at the disposal of the executors of the will, who were, William Small J.P., of Lattery, David Haire J.P., and Robert Wilson, both of Eleven Lane Ends.

The hall described in a local newspaper as "The Hall is well built and handsome. It was designed by Mr T. E. Houston, Belfast, built by Mr Thomas Whiteside, Kilbracks. It is capable of holding five hundred people, and embodies all the latest developments in architectural construction. Modern features in ventilation, lighting and heating have all been introduced. For the purpose of a Church hall, where facilities have to be provided for badminton, social re-unions and concerts etc., the building is one of the best equipped of its kind in the Province. The money available has been well spent, and the hall was constructed at a cost of two thousand three hundred pounds. A cash balance of fifteen pounds thirteen shillings and eight pence remaining, was handed over by Mr. W. Small, one of the executors and a second cousin of the donor, to the new trustees."

Captain Rev. T. H. Witherow received the distinguished guests Lord and Lady Craigavon at the entrance to the hall, and the architect, Mr. T. E. Houston of Belfast presented the Prime Minister with a set of pipes as a memento. The dedication ceremony took place inside the hall, the Moderator presiding. Included in the gathering were Mrs. Morrow, wife of the late Rev. Dr. Morrow, a former minister, and the senior minister the Rev. W. J. McConnell, who said he was happy to be present when his old congregation was being honoured by the heads of both Church and State.

Mr. W. Small performed the ceremony of handing over the deeds to the new trustees. Dr. Marshall accepted the deeds on behalf of his fellow trustees, Fredrick Mallagh, George Parr, William Loughlin, William Dalzell, John T Hamilton, John Lockhart and David Lyons. Lord Craigavon, who was received with loud applause, said he "hoped the young people who would use the hail, would think of the donor, and not think it had sprung up in the night. One was too apt to take things for granted, and not inquire how one became the recipient of benefits."

Major refurbishment of the Hall was undertaken and on Thursday, 29th May 1986, a Service was held in the Upper Church for the the Re-opening and Dedication of the Hall, by the Right Rev. Dr. Robert Dickinson, M.A., Moderator of the General Assembly.

Small Memorial Hall

On 6th April 1936, in the presence of a large gathering, which included Viscountess Craigavon and the Right Rev. Dr. A. F. Moody M.A., Moderator of the General Assembly, the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Viscount Craigavon opened the Robert Montgomery Small Memorial Hall, built in connection with our congregation. The late Robert M. Small in his legacy, that provided the money, with which the hall had been erected, stated, "........ and the ultimate residue of the [his] property for building, or assisting to build, a hall for public meetings in connection with the First Markethill Presbyterian Church, to be known as the "Robert Montgomery Small Memorial Hall" and on condition that the building should be completed within ten years of his death. Considerable delay was caused in negotiations for obtaining a suitable site, but in the meantime the cost of building materials decreased, while the interest accruing on the money swelled the funds at the disposal of the executors of the will, who were, William Small J.P., of Lattery, David Haire J.P., and Robert Wilson, both of Eleven Lane Ends.

The hall described in a local newspaper as "The Hall is well built and handsome. It was designed by Mr T. E. Houston, Belfast, built by Mr Thomas Whiteside, Kilbracks. It is capable of holding five hundred people, and embodies all the latest developments in architectural construction. Modern features in ventilation, lighting and heating have all been introduced. For the purpose of a Church hall, where facilities have to be provided for badminton, social re-unions and concerts etc., the building is one of the best equipped of its kind in the Province. The money available has been well spent, and the hall was constructed at a cost of two thousand three hundred pounds. A cash balance of fifteen pounds thirteen shillings and eight pence remaining, was handed over by Mr. W. Small, one of the executors and a second cousin of the donor, to the new trustees."

Captain Rev. T. H. Witherow received the distinguished guests Lord and Lady Craigavon at the entrance to the hall, and the architect, Mr. T. E. Houston of Belfast presented the Prime Minister with a set of pipes as a memento. The dedication ceremony took place inside the hall, the Moderator presiding. Included in the gathering were Mrs. Morrow, wife of the late Rev. Dr. Morrow, a former minister, and the senior minister the Rev. W. J. McConnell, who said he was happy to be present when his old congregation was being honoured by the heads of both Church and State.

Mr. W. Small performed the ceremony of handing over the deeds to the new trustees. Dr. Marshall accepted the deeds on behalf of his fellow trustees, Fredrick Mallagh, George Parr, William Loughlin, William Dalzell, John T Hamilton, John Lockhart and David Lyons. Lord Craigavon, who was received with loud applause, said he "hoped the young people who would use the hail, would think of the donor, and not think it had sprung up in the night. One was too apt to take things for granted, and not inquire how one became the recipient of benefits."

Major refurbishment of the Hall was undertaken and on Thursday, 29th May 1986, a Service was held in the Upper Church for the the Re-opening and Dedication of the Hall, by the Right Rev. Dr. Robert Dickinson, M.A., Moderator of the General Assembly.