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Craigavon Presbyterian Church
Oxford Island
Oxford Island
How the Church was Founded


During the 1960,s the N Ireland Goverment decided to build a new City in North Armagh called Craigavon
At the same time the Presbyterian Church Extension Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
took the decision to build a Presbyterian Church in the centre of the new City.
The new building was erected and officially opened on the 3rd of May 1973.

The first meeting of the Kirk Session  was held in Hill Street Presbyterian Lurgan and the Kirk Session
welcomed their first Minister the Rev A P McComb who was installed as minister of Craigavon in  Lurgan
Presbyterian church on Friday 5th of January 1968.
The first church Sunday meeting was held in the home of Mrs Erwin 62 Moylinn Craigavon on the 3rd of
February 1968 the services were then moved to the new Manse at 9 Moylinn Craigavon.

The first sod for the new Church was cut on Monday 14th June 1971 by the Rev Jack Weir and the
building contract was awarded  to  Messers R Heathwood and Sons. The Contract price was £53,000.

The Foundation Stone was laid by the Rev Rupert Gibson on Saturday 9th October 1971.

The Rev McComb was minister of the church for 11 months but thought it was too small a congregation
for one minister to look after and accepted a call to to 1st Dromara Presbyterian church.

A new Minister the Rev James Campbell was appointed  to share Craigavon and Newmills Presbyterian
Churchs.
In 1971 the Rev J H Harrison was called as  minister to Craigavon Presbyterian Church and was installed
on Tuesday 20th April 1971. The next  minister of the Church was the Rev Bill Shaw
then followed by The Rev Andrew Thompson. Our present Minister is the Rev Bob Allely

A booklet by Mr Alan Ince called A Short History of Craigavon Presbyterian Church is available