THE STORY OF SAINT JOHN'S
EARLY
DAYS |
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1839 |
THE REVEREND ALEXANDER ORR ministers to a new congregation formed in the pleasant countryside of MALONE ('MAGH LUBHAN - the plain of the lambs’).
These meetings were probably held in some
temporary structure. |
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1842 |
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NEW CHURCH BUILDING is consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Connor and the REVEREND JOHN WRIXON is instituted as the first incumbent of the Parish. This building, demolished in 1968, was used in later years by McCracken Presbyterian. |
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1872 |
THE REVEREND WALTER RIDDALL succeeds JOHN WRIXON who has completed 30 years ministry. |
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1880 |
THE REVEREND ALFRED HORATIO GRAY
is instituted as incumbent |
GROWING
UP |
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1886 |
Belfast
has begun encroachment on the 'Plain of the lambs', the church
building is too small for a rapidly increasing congregation. In this
year a parish controversy rages as to whether to enlarge the old church
or erect a new building - an argument which is to continue for
some six years. |
1890 |
THE REVEREND RICHARD WHITCHURCH SEAVER succeeds Mr Gray. Under new guidance the contending parties became reconciled so that in |
1892 |
A PROPOSAL FOR A NEW CHURCH is enthusiastically approved at a Parish Meeting held on the 9th day of June. A free site had been offered – the present site in Osborne Park. |
A
NEW CHURCH IS BUILT |
|
MR. HENRY
SEAVER, the Rector's brother and
local Architect of repute, has prepared designs and in this year THE
FOUNDATION STONE IS LAID.
This can be seen in the north-east
porch. It was envisaged that the building would proceed in stages as
funds became available - the chancel, organ chamber and transepts, then
the nave extended, and
finally the tower, |
1894 |
THE
NEW CHURCH IS CONSECRATED on the 21st day of April by the Right Reverend
T J Welland Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore. At this Service the
preacher was the Reverend J H. Bernard (later Archbishop of Dublin). |
1906 |
The Nave is extended, but the proposed tower was, and still remains, uncompleted. |
MORE
BUILDING |
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1908 |
A NEW CHOIR VESTRY AND MEETING ROOM
is erected to serve the need for more
ancillary accommodation. |
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1921 |
THE MINOR HALL is formed by extending the choir vestry. This building was later demolished. |
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1929 |
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THE REVEREND FREDERICK HENRY PAGET L'ESTRANGE
is appointed
Rector. |
1938 |
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THE SEAVER HALL
is built to accommodate ever
increasing
expansion of organisations, especially youth. |
1953 |
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THE REVEREND EDWARD WILLIAM LOUIS GARRETT
becomes
Rector on the retirement of Canon L'Estrange |
1964 |
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THE L'ESTRANGE HALL
is erected to cater for yet more parish activities. |
1972 |
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THE REVEREND EDWARD FLEWETT DARLING
becomes Rector following the death of the Reverend E. W. L. Garrett. |
1974 |
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THE EDWARD GARRETT MEMORIAL CHAPEL,
formed by conversion of the South
Transept, is dedicated by the Lord Bishop of Connor on the Feast of
Saint Michael and All Angels, the 29th of September. |
198O |
|
A NEW BAPTISTRY AND HISTORICAL CORNER
is dedicated by the Lord Bishop of
Connor on Saint Peter's Day, 29th June, in memory of Richard Maxwell
Finlay a devoted member of the church. |
1985 |
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THE REVEREND EDWARD FLEWETT DARLING
elected Lord Bishop of Limerick
and Killaloe on 9th September. Consecrated in Christ Church
Cathedral Dublin on 30th November. Enthroned in Limerick
Cathedral on 8th December. |
1986 |
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THE REVEREND ALAN EDWIN THOMAS HARPER
instituted rector. |
1993 |
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CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
of
the Church of St John the Evangelist, Malone. |
1996 |
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THE REVD CANON ALAN EDWIN THOMAS HARPER
made
Archdeacon of Connor and Precentor of St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast. |
2000 |
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MILLENIUM CELEBRATIONS
and
burial of Time Capsule. |
2001/2 |
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ARCHDEACON ALAN EDWIN THOMAS HARPER
elected Lord Bishop of
Connor on 17th December 2001; Consecrated in St Anne's
Cathedral Belfast on 18th March 2002; Enthroned in Christ
Church Cathedral, Lisburn on 25th April 2002. |
2002 |
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THE REVD CANON JOHN OWEN MANN
instituted
as Rector on 12th September 2002. |
2003 |
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REFURBISHMENT
OF THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS. |
2011 |
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THE REVD CANON JOHN OWEN MANN |
appointed to be Dean of Belfast on 9 June 2011, Instituted to St Anne's, Belfast and Installed as Dean of Belfast on Tuesday 30 September 2011. | ||
2012 |
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THE REVD ROBERT WILLIAM JONES Dean of Clonmacnoise and Rector of Trim & Athboy Group instituted as Rector on 13 May 2012; appointed Rural Dean for South Belfast In February 2013 installed as Canon of Connor in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast on 11 September 2013. |
2015 | THE SEAVER HALL | |
Entrance hall and toilets refurbished | ||
2016-2017 | REFURBISHMENT OF CHURCH STONEWORK | |
Sandstone blocks dressed and replaced as necessary as a gift by the Finlay family in memory of Catherine Iris Finlay - dedicated by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Revd Alan Abernethy, on 10 December 2017 | ||
2017 | NAVE ALTAR | |
is dedicated by the Bishop of Connor on10 December 2017 | ||
2017 | THE SEAVER HALL | |
Main hall refurbished. Stage area converted to store rooms and new heating and lighting installed. Made possible by the generosity of the late Miss Jean Cochrane. Dedicated by Canon Jones on 10 December 2017 | ||
2018 | THE REVD ROBERT WILLIAM JONES | |
appointed to the Kiltegan Group of Parishes in the diocese of Leighlin in Cashel, Ferns and Ossory 9 Nov 2017
instituted to the Kiltegan Group on Friday 9 March 2018. |
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2018 | THE REVD CANON STEPHEN FIELDING | |
appointed to the Incumbency of the Parish of Malone 3 May 2018 |
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