Douglas Presbyterian Church
DOUGLAS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH·SATURDAY, 4 APRIL 2020·
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! The church is the people and also the church is the building in which it meets. There has been a church meeting in and around Douglas Burn since Plantation of Ulster times. The older generation talked about the old Meeting House in Douglas being a Plantation Church and
there is no evidence to disprove this theory. This little Presbyterian Meeting House or Church was situated on a hillock occupying a pleasing situation amidst sylvan surroundings above the village of Douglas Bridge. It is unknown as to when exactly this Meeting House was built but an old Ordnance Survey map of 1775 AD shows a Church on this site. At this time only the established Anglican Church was allowed to be called a church and so it was known as a meeting house. There was a charge with Clady Presbyterian Church (also Alte Clady) in the townland of Clady Blair, Ardstraw. The original Douglas Meeting House was built of stone and was planned in a cross or T shape. The church also had a school connected with it and a residence for the head master. The Rev Dick had his Ministerial Jubilee on 24th May 1918 AD. In 1957 AD the congregation, under the wise guidance of the then young minster Rev D A G Milligan, prepared for the task of building their new church. Sunday 1st September 1957 AD was the last service in the Meeting House before demolition. A new church in attractive modern style and more suitably adapted to the size of the congregation was built on the site of the original T-shaped building and was dedicated on 10th April 1958 AD. The 5oth Anniversary of the Church building was marked on Sunday 20th April 2008 AD with a special thanksgiving service. The church is a joint charge with Ardstraw Presbyterian Church and is in the Presbytery of Omagh, situated in the townland of Knockroe, Douglas Bridge and the Minister is the Rev David Reid. A church has been meeting on this site for some time and the congregation continues to meet faithfully to give thanks, praise and worship. Douglas Presbyterian Church meets for worship on a Sunday at 1015hrs. Sunday School 1030hrs. We invite you to all that goes on here. Church connection or not, you would be more than welcome to join us for worship. Ministers of Douglas Presbyterian Church:- Rev D W Reid BD Dip Min (2000-present) Lic Clogherney. Rev Robin L Brown Bsc BD (1990-1999) Lic Rathcoole. Rev D A G Milligan BA (1946-1986) Lic Templepatrick. Rev D Morton (1936-1946) Newtownstewart. Rev R Dick BA (1868-1936) Lic Strabane. Rev Alexander (1831-1867) Lic Strabane.
