FIRST DROMORE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (1918-Present)
A short vacancy followed before Rev. Andrew Thompson was called. During his years of service the life of the congregation was extended. There were district prayer meetings and two district Sunday schools. The average Sunday morning attendance was 500.
It was during Mr. Thompson’s time that musical accompaniment was introduced. Firstly a piano was used at the Monday evening Harvest service in October 1921. At a congregational meeting in September 1924 it was agreed that it be used in all worship services. Between 1935 and 1936 a pipe organ was installed at the cost of £1,100. The organ is still in use today and was completely overhauled in 1998 at a cost of £64,000. Mr. Thompson retired in November 1951.
In April 1952 Rev. F.L. McConnell was installed as minister. During his ministry the congregation saw the formation of both a G.B. and a B.B. company. All the weekly activities took place in the old school house. It became clear that it could no longer accommodate this work and it was proposed that a new church hall be built. This was opened by Lord Chief Justice MacDermott in 1960 and was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Dr. T.A.B Smyth, Moderator of the General Assembly.
During the mid 1960’s, the Church building was extensively redecorated and was rededicated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Alfred Martin, Moderator of the General Assembly in September 1966.
The halls were extended in the late 1970’s and the extension was opened and dedicated by the Moderator of the General Assembly Rt. Rev. Dr. W. M. Craig. This extra accommodation allowed more meetings to be held during the week and also facilitated the other organisations in their activities. The G.B. celebrated its silver jubilee in 1978 and the B.B. its silver jubilee in 1979.
In August of 1983 Rev D Patton received a call to Greystone Road in Antrim. The Rev R Crooks was installed in September 1984 in succession to Mr Patton.
A major repair programme was carried out on the exterior of the Church during 1988 and
in 1992 the graveyard was remapped and re-registered, with the pathways within the graveyard being tarmaced.
During 1996, extensive renovations were carried out to the south wall under the gallery and once this was completed the pipe organ was completely refurbished. A special rededication service was held on 22 February 1998 after this refurbishment. The speaker was the Clerk of Assembly Rev. Dr. S. Hutchinson and the guest organist was Mr. David Drinkell.
The Rev. R. Crooks accepted a call to Belvoir congregation in 1997 and there followed a lengthy vacancy during which Rev. Dr. Roy Magee was appointed stated supply.
The congregation negotiated the sale of some land adjacent to the graveyard and this was agreed to in 2000. In the same year the congregation on the recommendation of the Committee decided to demolish the old manse and construct a new manse on the same site. In March of 2000 Rev. Keith Duddy was installed as minister. A temporary manse was purchased in Church Meadows and work on the new manse on the Dromara Road began in February 2002. The new manse was officially opened by the Moderator of Presbytery on Saturday 23rd November 2002
