placenamesMagheramason
Machaire Measáin
The Presbyterian church grew from a local campaign that continued through repeated appeals before its opening in 1878.
The name
These Irish name elements are associated with this record in the Logainm glossary.
An element’s translation is a clue, rather than a complete explanation of the name. Its form and meaning depend on local history and the full Irish name.
Recorded forms
- Machaire Measáin · Irish · main form
- Magheramason · English · main form
Place & story
A meeting in 1875
At a public meeting in Magheramason on 15 January 1875, residents resolved to seek a Presbyterian church closer to their homes. William McCarter chaired the meeting; James Crawford proposed the resolution and Robert Mathers seconded it. Their recorded concerns included the long journey to worship for older people, children and poorer families, alongside the arrival of new residents in the district. [2]
Building before recognition
The campaign encountered resistance from the church authorities. Glendermott Presbytery initially recommended a preaching station, and appeals to the General Assembly were unsuccessful in 1875 and 1877. Nevertheless, local supporters began building in August 1877 on land granted by the Duke of Abercorn. The congregation was recognised in 1878, and the new meeting house opened on 17 November that year. [2]
The first minister and later buildings
Thomas Boyd became the congregation's first minister when he was ordained on 18 June 1879. He served until 1884 and returned to preach during the jubilee celebrations in January 1928. The manse had been built in 1889; a new hall followed beside the church in 1959. These additions extended the buildings associated with the original meeting house. [2]
Geographic information
Sources & further reading
- Logainm.ie — Magheramason. Place names and geographic record, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
- Church History; A Synopsis of the Struggle · Magheramason Presbyterian Church; Ivor McNeely
Name record retrieved 2026-10-25 · Source record modified 2009-01-27. How this page was prepared.