SPECIAL SERVICES AND EVENTS
During the lifetime of Armagh Methodism many special services and events were held. These occasions were always seen by local Methodists as integral to the witness of the Gospel for the whole person – Body, Mind and Spirit.
Home Mission Services
Annual Sermons for the Methodist Home Missions were special occasions with visiting preachers and a collection for mission work in Ireland.
Harvest Thanksgiving
The tradition of giving thanks to God in Harvest Thanksgiving Services was very important throughout the Circuit and the tradition continues to this day. Churches are decorated with flowers and harvest provision. Abbey Street Church was particularly well laid out for the service in 1918.
Sunday School Excursions
Sunday School Excursions were a major feature in the Church calendar. An interesting account is recorded of the annual Armagh Methodist Sunday School Excursion in the Armagh Guardian of 29 June 1888 (the year prior to the Railway Disaster) when 1,000 travelled on the train that day. The newspaper gives a detailed account of the organisation involved with over 1,000 travelling to the seaside for a day’s enjoyment. This was a ‘cross community’ excursion with all denominations joining the Methodist families on the trip to Warrenpoint.
Armagh Guardian 29 June 1888
War Memorial Tablet (World War 1)
Members of the Armagh Methodist Circuit joined the Army in 1914 to fight in the First World War. The 1914 Circuit Report lists their names:
Armagh Guardian 17 June 1921, dedication service of WW1 Memorial Tablet in Abbey Street Methodist Church
The following men who lost their lives on the first day of the Battle of the Somme 1st July 1916 are amongst those inscribed on the tablet of the Church:
Sergeant Adam D. Moore of the 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers
“For a considerable time Sergeant Moore had charge of the tailoring and ready-made department in Mr. W.J. Lennox’s Market Street, Armagh and was very highly esteemed both by his employer, his fellow assistants and the customers of the firm. He was in pre-war days a member of the Armagh Company of Ulster Volunteers Force and joined the colours in September 1914. His promotion was rapid and he went to France with the Ulster Division at the beginning of October 1915. Having been sent back to this country for a slight operation, which was successful, he was for a short time in charge of drafts at Newtownards and was then sent back to France. His death is keenly regretted by a wide circle of friends.” (Armagh Gazette, 23rd June 1917)
Sergeant Adam D. Moore
9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers
Lance Corporal Robert Wilson of the 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers
“L/Cpl Robert Wilson 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers, who has been officially reported killed, was a son of the late Mr. Edward Wilson, Callan Street, Armagh. Previous to joining the army in September 1914, he was employed as a painter by Mr. James Maxwell, Lower English Street, Armagh.
He was one of the best signalers in the Battalion. His abilities being favorably often commented on by the commanding officer, Col S.W. Blacker. Writing to his sister, Miss Mary Wilson, Callan St, Armagh, the Rev W.J. Robinson writes: It is with very real sorrow that I write to assure you of my deep sympathy with you in the loss of your brother Lance Corporal Robert Wilson. He was a very fine young fellow and a good soldier. He and his brother Edward (who is missing) were very loyal friends of mine and were very regular in attending services. Your sorrow will be very great and I pray that God may comfort and uphold you. I trust that some good news may be forthcoming of Edward. The Division has done nobly and has lost many gallant lives. They have been given in a righteous cause, but alas for the dear ones at home.” (Armagh Gazette, 29th July 1916)
Lance Corporal Robert Wilson
9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers
Sergeant Edward Wilson of the 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers
“Rev F.J. Halahan, chaplain of the 9th Battalion writing to Miss M. Wilson, Callan Street, sister to Sergeant E. Wilson states: I received a telegram from Mr Irwin this morning in reference to your brother, Sergeant E. Wilson and have just written to him. I am very sorry to say that his name is amongst those who are missing and wounded. One of the men who passed through the dressing station told me that he had seen him in ‘no man’s land’ and that he was wounded in the legs. There is the possibility of his being taken prisoner as he was not far from the German trenches. I cannot tell you what sense of loss one feels now that so many of our gallant comrades have fallen. They acted nobly and in accordance with the best tradition of the regiments. I need not say that if we receive any further news of him I shall write and let you know. The most painful thing was to know of some of our gallant men being wounded and left out on the ground and we not able to help them.” (Armagh Gazette, 29 July 1916)
From the 9th Battalion files: “14815 Sergeant Edward Wilson Born Armagh. A Company. Killed in action at Hamel, 1 July 1916.”
Surgeon-Lieutenant T.A. Peel, R.A.M.C.
The 1915 Circuit report records that from the Armagh Circuit, “Surgeon-Lieutenant T.A. Peel, R.A.M.C. son of one of our most honoured Members, died from wounds received at Sulva Bay in August last”
Love Feasts
Congregational Meetings
Sabbath and Weekly Services
Services 1913
The Love Feast (or Agape Meal) is a Christian fellowship meal recalling the meals Jesus shared with disciples during his ministry (Methodist Book of Worship ©1992). Love feasts were a particular feature of the 19th century Methodists and Armagh Circuit held quarterly Love Feasts.
Vital to a Love feast was praise with hymn singing, testimonies, scripture, which may include formal readings or bible quotes that are considered appropriate, and mostly unprompted prayer, which was considered to be most important. All of this took place in anticipation of the presence of the ‘Holy Spirit’, providing a spontaneity and informality. Most Love Feasts included the sharing of food and it was generally kept separate from the Communion Service (the Lord’s Supper). Early Methodists commonly passed a loving cup with two handles from person to person usually containing water, but later the water was served in individual glasses. The food was served quietly without interrupting the service. For the Armagh Circuit the Love Feast following the ‘1859 Revival’ meetings seemed to be one of the most memorable with the Church unable to contain the numbers.​
Annual Congregational meetings were big events and reported in the local press. Armagh Methodists often referred to these as annual 'Tea Meetings'. The local newspaper records the detail of one held in January 1896. In the Chair was Surgeon-Major John Lynn, to the fore were the constant leaders, Robert Gillespie JP and Mr T G Peel. John Lynn is happy to report that 'the circuit was not going back, but going forward.' In reference to the need for money for improving the manse, he urged all to contribute liberally to it, for he said 'the liberal soul shall be made fat'.
As reported in the newspaper on 16 January 1896 referring to John Lynn 'In a very earnest and vigorous address he urged them all to cherish a thankful and courageous spirit'.
Robert Gillespie, Sunday School Superintendent, reported that a growing number attend. Mr Peel, Divisional Steward, said that over £4,000 had been spent on Church property improvements over the last 5 -6 years. In 1896 this was quite a considerable sum. The minister, Rev Cole, reported on the spiritual work on the Circuit. Throughout the meeting there was much singing with several solos rendered. In the best traditions of Methodism, tea was provided for all, and 'a hearty vote of thanks' to the ladies was offered by Mr William Somerville. Congregational Meetings are still held each year to receive a report of the ‘Work of God’ on the circuit.
Local church historical records show that after the birth of Methodism in the city following John Wesley’s visit 250 years ago, the Armagh Church and Circuit reached a high point from the late 19th century to the early part of 20th century. In 1913 the Armagh Circuit was much larger than now with 6 Churches – Armagh, Richhill, Markethill, Caledon, Killylea and Killymaddy. The printed Services Schedule for the Circuit a hundred years ago indicate that there were many more services and that two Ministers and a Circuit Evangelist were required to undertake the ‘Work of God’ – there were up to 40 Officers appointed.
Office Bearers 1913
Funeral Service for James Burns 1887
In 1887, the Armagh Methodist Church laid to rest James Burns, who had been a member for 47 years.
The Circuit minutes’ record resolutions on the deaths of prominent members of the congregation, in particular, Surgeon-Major John Lynn, Robert Gillespie J.P. and TG Peel. All of whom left in their wills significant sums to the Church. There was an amount in each case bequeathed for work ‘in the Sabbath Schools.’
