Seagoe Parish Magazine.
AUGUST, 1924.
Rev. Robt. W. Johnston, L.Th.
(By kind permission of the Portadown News." )
We present our readers this month with a photograph of the Rev. R. W. Johnston, now one of the
Curates of Seagoe. Mr. Johnston was ordained for the Curacy in St. Aidan's Church, Belfast, on Sunday„ July 6th. This photograph was taken in 1916 when Mr. Johnston was a Lieutenant in the 9th Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. He served with the Battalion from the end of July, 1916, until the fatal Sixteenth of August, 1917, when so many of those who had survived the disastrous July 1st, 1916, were wounded or killed. On that day Colonel Somerville, who had succeeded Colonel Blacker in command of
the Battalion, was killed' and also Lieutenant Shillington.
Royalty in Seagoe.
It is not often that Royalty visits the Parish of
Seagoe, but on Tuesday, July 22nd, the Duke and
Duchess of York alighted from their train at Portadown
Station and spent a busy 15 minutes receiving
an Address, inspecting the guard of honour, and
smiling at the hearty welcome from the children
and their parents. Seagoe Parish was well represented
in the crowd. The Duke and Duchess seemed
to be greatly pleased with their reception. The
Station was beautifully decorated with flags and
banners, and everything passed off with great success.
Edenderry
Now that the Rev. R. W Johnston has come to
help us in our work in the Parish we hope to see
a great development of Church life in Edenderry.
Every Church home in that great district should be
a centre of loyalty to the Church and the Divine
Head of the Church. There. are 205 Church house-
holds in the District. The Afternoon Sunday School
is now very large, and quite fills the Parochial Hall
In our next issue we hope to give an outline of our
special work arranged for the coming winter months.
In the meantime we ask all our Edenderry people
to help us by prayer and work so that our efforts
may have the Divine blessing.
SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.
Seagoe at Wembley.
A large number of the Parishioners have already
visited the great Empire Exhibition at Wembley and
have enjoyed this wonderful picture of the activities
of the British Empire. Two of the pupils of Seagoe
.School have e successfully passed the examination
held last month for free passes to London and the
Exhibition ; they are Willie Livingston and Jack Hill.
We congratulate them on their success and wish
them a very pleasant holiday in London.
Weekly Freewill Offerings.
It is very important that all those who have taken
sets of Envelopes should bring or send in their
offerings without delay. The success of the system
depends upon punctual payments by each contributor.
Do not get into arrears with your payments,
and, if you have, please pay in the arrears as soon
as possible. The proper way is to bring the Envelope
with you to the Parish Church each Sunday
and place it reverently in the collection so that it
may be offered up with the other offerings on the
Holy Table. It is your gift to God for His work.
Read carefully the. verse of Scripture which is printed
on each Envelope. It will help you to give in
the right spirit, and from the right motive.
Portadown Station.
Important work is being undertaken at Portadown
Station by the G.N.R. It was necessary to undertake
extensive excavations at the upper end of the town
to provide room for new engine sheds, and the
surplus earth is being brought down to the
neighbourhood of the Station to enable additional lines to be
laid so as to give more accommodation for carriages
and trucks. Perhaps at some future date when
Portadown grows—as it will grow—the Bann meadows
will provide a space for the rolling stock necessary
for increased traffic. The same process of development
has taken place in Belfast, where the extensive
Bog Meadows have been annexed by the Railway
Company. Portadown is gradually obtaining a
stronger position in Northern Ireland owing to its
central position. The visit of the Duke of York will
help to strengthen this position.
Edenderry Parochial Hall.
The New Heating apparatus for the Parochial Hall
will in a short time be installed. The underground
Furnace chamber is now finished and the drain connecting it
with the main sewer completed. It is a
good piece of work, but the expense will be considerable.
Those who are disposed to help would oblige
by sending a subscription to Miss Atkinson, Eden
Villa, who is Secretary of the Parochial Hal) Committee.
The Urban Council have now completed the
paving of the footpath outside the Hall, and the
appearance of the place is greatly improved.
From Canada.
The Archdeacon of Ontario writes to the Rector as
follows :—
St. James' Rectory,
Ontario, May 7th, 1924.
Reverend and Dear Sir,—Your letter to hand. I
have twice called on them and shall do my best to
interest them in the Church. J shall strive to have
them prepared for Confirmation. Thanking you for
your information, and with best wishes,
I am, sincerely yours,
ROBERT H. FERGUSON, Rector.
The Canadian Church is alive and active, and
looks well after our Emigrants. We thank them
for all they have done.
A Curates' House.
As Seagoe Parish has now a staff of two Curates
the need of a suitable residence for them within
the bounds of the Parish becomes more than ever
a necessity. Such a residence should be situated
near the Church so that the work of the clergy may
be centralised as much as possible. It has not been
found possible for the assistant clergy to get lodgings
within the Parish, and so they have had to find
shelter in a neighbouring Parish. At a recent
meeting of the Select Vestry the, subject was discussed,
and it was suggested that such a house might be
erected on the plot of ground belonging to the Select
Vestry between the School and the Teacher's Residence.
Seagoe School.
The term " National " is no longer to be applied
to our Day Schools. The new name is to be "Public
Elementary School." The School will re-open (D. V.)
on Monday, August 11th, at 9.30 a.m. sharp. The
Select Vestry are repairing and cleaning the School
premises during the holidays. Seagoe School has
had a wonderful record of health. It possesses a
splendid playground. The rooms are well lighted
and well ventilated, and the danger from fast traffic
is reduced to a minimum owing to its being situated
off the main road. In wet weather the children
can use a roomy shelter in the playground. A
thorough and up to date education is imparted to
the children as is evidenced by the recent record of
the School in winning Scholarships and Prizes. The
Senior Pupils are taught gardening in a special
School garden, working under the supervision of
Mr. Bignold, the Inspector of Agriculture and
Gardening under the Government of Northern Ireland.
The clergy of the Parish visit the School once a
week to give Religious Instruction. Each day the
School is opened with Prayer. Religious Instruction
is given to the children daily from 9.50 a.m. to
10.20 a.m. Parents are asked to see that their
children are punctual in attendance.
SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.
New Houses.
Building operations are again after the cessation
caused by the Great War, becoming noticeable in
the Parish, chiefly in Edenderry. A large Villa has
been built in Stewart Avenue, Mr. Shanks has built
two pretty houses in Carrickblacker Road, and two
other roomy houses have been built beside Mr. Wm.
Sherman's. We hear of other houses in contemplation.
People who have built houses are anxious to
give them nice names, but there are now so many
Edens in Edenderry that it has begun to be called
the Garden of Eden. Edenderry House, Edengarth,
Eden Mount, Eden Bank and many others are now
in use. We would suggest that as far as possible
the names of new houses and of new streets should
embody the history and the natural features of the
Parish. We have one example in Edenderry—Goban
Street, which was so named by the Rector on the
invitation of Mrs. Hamilton Robb when the street
was first made. Goban or Gobhan was the founder
of Seagoe in the 6th century A.D. Tydba was the
name of Seagoe Parish in medieval times. As
possible names we would suggest Carrickville, Blacker
Avenue, Saurindale, Forde Street (after the Rev.
Arthur Fforde, a former Vicar of Seagoe in the 18th
century), Bannvale, Campbell Drive (after the Rev.
John Campbell, Vicar of Seagoe, who brought a
party of Scagoe men to the Siege of Derry and was
also present at the Battle of the Boyne). The
"derry" in Edenderry means an oak tree. Derry
might be used as Derryville or Oaktree Cottage,
OakFarm, Oaklands, Oakley. These are but a few
of the names which are suggested by the history
and surroundings of the neighbourhood
Seagoe Churchyard.
Again we would ask holders of grave plots to
please keep their grave plots tidy. Some have very
kindly done so already in response to our request,
but some of the plots are a wilderness of weeds.
Where our dead rest should he the best kept bit of
ground in the Parish. It is God's acre.
Seagoe Men's Class.
The Seagoe Men's Bible Class will resume work
(D. V.) on Sunday, August 3rd, at 10 a.m. The Class
Will be held in Seagoe Church. We invite to this
Class all the old members who in pre war days were
so regular in attendance and enjoyed so much the
instruction in God?s Word which they received. The
Class will be held each Sunday. Thy Word is a
lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
Parish Register for July.
Baptisms.
The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish Church on 5th July, 1924
Abraham—Robert Henry, son of Samuel John and Mary Elizabeth Abraham, of Breagh.
Sponsors—Samuel John Abraham, Margaret Mayes.
Partridge—William, son of Benjamin and Olivia Partridge, of Portadown.
Sponsors—Maria Jane Fcrd, Olivia Partridge.
Atkinson—Jane Anna, daughter of Gardner and Sarah Jane Atkinson, of Belfast.
Sponsors—Mary White, Sarah Jane Atkinson.
M'NeilI—Victor, son of Samuel George and Anna M'Neill, of Ballymacrandle.
Sponsors—Edith Kilpatrick, Anna M'Neill.
Porter—July 2nd, 1924—Martha Georgina, daughter of Robert John and Margaret Anne Maud
Porter, of Lower Seagoe. Sponsors—Margaret Porter, Margaret Ann Maud Porter.
Johnston— July 27th, 1924—Norman Charles, son of James Alexander and Helen Mary Johnston,
of Kernan. Sponsors—William Duncan, James Alexander Johnston, Mary Elizabeth Johnston.
Marriage.
White and Ruddy June 28th, 1924, Ephraim White, of Lylo, to Ellen Jane Ruddy, of Lurgan.
Burials.
M'Kee—June 29th —Mary M'Kee, of Tarsan, aged 47.
Wright—July 11th,1924-—Mary Alice Wright, of Tamnificarbet, aged 42 years.
Hewitt—July 18th, Samuel Hewitt, of Edenderry, aged 37 years.
M'Cu110ugh—July 28th, Richard M'Cu110ugh, of Balteagh, aged 1 year.
Interred at Donaghcloney.
Obituary.
We had not space, last month to comment on the
long list c! those whose names appeared in the roll
of Burials. It is seldom that within a short month
we have lost so many of our Parishioners. Especially
sad was the death of Mrs. Whiteside of Lower
Seagoe. In the prime of life and after a very brief
illness she was taken from among us. Another
name in our list, Thomas M'Crory, recalls to mind
the great interest he took in Edenderry Men's Bible
Class, which he attended without missing single
Sunday for over nine years. He was always very
proud of the Medals and Certificates he had won-
Some of those whose names appear, John Hickland,
David Rainey, Emma Jane Malcomson and Harrison
SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.
Gracey had been in weak health for a long time,
while Mrs. Eliza Hughes passed away after a brief
illness: Joseph Craig, though advanced in years,
had been active until quite recently. The names of
two children appear in the list—Myrtle Elizabeth
Simpson, an infant, and Irene Gladys Ruddell, whose
death occurred quite suddenly from septic scarlatina.
In this month's list there, are fewer names,
but still four have been called away. Mary Alice
Wright, who had been in weak health for many years;
Samuel Hewitt, well known and very popular in
Edenderry, had a long and ,trying illness, as had
also Mrs. Mary M'Kee, of Tarsan. Mr. and Mrs.
M'Cullough of Balteagh have lost their little son, aged
only 12 months. A specially sad thing was the death
of one who had only been in the Parish a month.
Lavinia Michel came from the Parish of Innisrush
in the County Derry and was a maid at the Manse,
Lurgan Road. Her illness was very sudden. She
passed away a few days after her admission to the
Infirmary. The Rev. J. and Mrs. Heney showed her
great kindness. She was interred at Innisrush on
Sunday, June 29th, the Rector, the Rev. J. O'Connor,
M.A., officiating at the grave. Our prayerful sympathy
goes out to all in the Parish who have suffered bereavement.
Father in Thy gracious keeping,
Leave we now our loved ones sleeping."
ITEMS.
The continuance of wet weather has made hay
making very difficult this year.
Seagoe Choir is practising for the Choral Festival
to be held in Maralin Church on Saturday, September
6th. The Rev. Dr. Aldwell, LL.D., Rector of
Ballylesson, is acting as Trainer and Conductor of
the Choirs.
A glance through our advertising columns is
recommended to those who desire in their purchases
to get full value for their money.
Shankill Parish Magazine is keeping up its high
standard of interest. Its local news is crisp and
brightly written. The present issue has a
complimentary reference to our new Curate, the Rev. R. W.
Johnston.
At the July Anniversary Service held in Seagoe on
Sunday evening, July 6th, the collection for the
Enniskillen Orphan Fund amounted to £10 5s 10d.
The Teachers in Seagoe Afternoon Sunday School
presented Mr. W. E. Dickson with a Fountain Pen
on the occasion of his leaving the Parish.
A large number of Seagoe people have already
visited the great Exhibition at Wembley.
An enlarged copy of an interesting snapshot of our
1924 Sunday School procession taken by Mr. Twinem,
U.S.A., has been kindly presented to the Rector. We
hope shortly if possible to print it in the Magazine.
We print here the addresses of the Curates or
Seagoe—The Rev. W. T. Wilson. M.A., 21 Edward
Street ; the Rev. R. W. Johnston, L. Th., The Cottagey
M'Gredy's Nursery, Portadown.
The Lurgan Road is still under repair. One piece
of the road at the Lurgan end is in a disgraceful
and most dangerous state. Some serious accident
may happen at any moment. As we write there is
a large and deep hole at the point where the Urban
and Rural Portadown boundaries meet. Who is to
blame? The sturdy frame of a B.S.A. motor cycle
snapped the other day on Lurgan Road. Fortunately the cyclist escaped injury.
A lady in Utah, U.S.A. (we hope she is not a
Mormon) is making a collection of all the Baptismal,
Marriage, and Burial entries of all the families of
Best and Robinson in the Parish of Seagoe from 1672
to the present day.
If you are in arrears with your Weekly Envelopes
please bring them in and you will greatly help the
Parish Funds.
Mr. George Wilson, of Lower Seagoe, hag been
appointed Hon. Sec. of the Finance Committee.
Some of the young men in Seagoe are negotiating
for the rental of a field for recreation purposes.
You are invited to attend the midweek Service„
which is held in the Parish Church every Wednesday evening at 8 p.m.
Miss Isabel Best is on holiday from the Training
College, and has kindly taken a class in Seagoe
Afternoon Sunday School each Sunday. Willie Best
has been elected to the Masonic Orphan Boys' School
in Dublin and goes there in September.
Mr. M'Dowell, U.S.A., has arrived at Killicomaine
for his usual Trans-Atlantic holiday. He never forgets the old Parish.
Mr. Victor Walker has purchased a house at,
Broadstairs, Kent, and has named it " Seagoe."
Some of those who had intended emigrating to the
States have found it difficult to get permission owing
to the restrictions introduced by the American
Government.
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