December 1925

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

DECEMBER, 1925.

The above photograph has been kindly lent to us by the "Portadown News."

It represents the unveiling of the War Memorial.

Portadown War Memorial

Last month was made notable in the annals of

Portadown by the unveiling of the War Memorial

in front of St. Marks’s Church. It took place on

Friday, November 13th. The weather was fine and

clear but cold. It was estimated that there were

8,000 people present. A large stand had been erected

behind the Memorial. The unveiling was performed

by Sir Travers Clarke, who had commanded the

Inniskilling Fusiliers during the War. There was a

splendid turn out of ex-service men, and the Rev.

R. W. Johnston, Curate of Seagoe and formerly a

Lieutenant in our 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers,

marched in uniform at the head of one of the

Platoons. The monument was dedicated by the Lord

Primate, whose scarlet hood and purple skull-cap

lent an interesting touch of colour to the assemblage.

Seagoe Choir helped in the singing, and at a very

impressive stage in the proceedings our own Willie

Whiteside, who lost his sight at St. Julien in April,

1915, was led up by Captains Menaul and Lutton

to place the first wreath at the base of the Memorial.

The whole proceedings were very well arranged and

reflected much credit on the Committee. The

Memorial is very handsome and appropriate. The

figure of the angel is especially graceful and

well-designed. It is a pity that the statue of Colonel

Saunderson had to be moved from its former position

for it is now somewhat dwarfed by the War Memorial,

but great difficulties as to a site confronted the

Committee. It is not inappropriate that Col. Saunderson

stands beside the Memorial, for his statue is a reminder

of the strenuous struggle which Ulster carried on to

final victory for many years under his capable leadership.

Through the kindness of the “Portadown News"

we are able to reproduce the photograph which appeared

in their very well arranged and finely executed Supplement

on the occasion of the unveiling of the War Memorial.

Mrs. Stothers lost three sons out of four who served in the

Great War. She has for many years resided in Bright Street,

Edenderry, and great sympathy was expressed for her in

her sad loss. A daughter of hers, Mrs. Joseph Freeburn,

lives in Florence Court.

We wish all our Readers at home and

abroad a very Happy Christmas and a

bright and prosperous New Year.

Christmas, 1925.

This year Christmas falls on Friday. The following

Services will be held (D.V.) in the Parish Church: —

8 a.m.—Holy Communion.

11-30 a.m.—Morning Prayer, Sermon and Holy

Communion.

The Offerings on Christmas Day will be given to

the Poor Fund of the Parish.

On the Sunday before Christmas Day, Dec. 20th,

at Evening Prayer Christmas Carols will be sung

by the choir.

We invite our people to attend the Services on

Christmas Day in the Parish Church. There is too

great a tendency to make Christmas a social Festival

and to forget that on that day we commemorate the

birth into the world of the Incarnate son of God, our

Lord Jesus Christ. If we keep this in mind, we will

be found worshipping in the House of Prayer and

kneeling at the Holy Table. Then our Christmas

will be a Holy Christmas as well as a Happy

Christmas.

We will remember at Christmas time the many

friends and Parishioners of Seagoe who are spending

their Christmas in distant lands, Australia,

Canada, The United States, Africa and New Zealand.

They also will, no doubts turn back in thought to

the old Parish. They will be one with us in spirit

as we worship in the old Church and gather in

our homes around the festive board.

Advent, 1925.

We are passing through the season of Advent,

when our minds and hearts are once again recalled

to the expectation of the second coming of our Lord

and Master. The season will be marked in the

Parish Church by Services having special reference

to the Second Coming. On Advent Sunday the

offertories were on behalf of Foreign Missions. The

Collect for the Sunday next before Advent may be

used during the season in private prayer with special

helpfulness.

Old Seagoe Trees.

The trees surrounding Seagoe Church and the

Glebe Lands and which are such a conspicuous feature

of the landscape will in 1926 have completed their

100th year. They were planted by Archdeacon Saurin

when he was appointed Vicar of the Parish in 1826.

They have made for the most part but slow growth.

The coldness and comparative dampness of the soil

retards development. Possibly the oldest trees in

Seagoe are four elms in the Rectory grounds; three

of them stand out conspicuously covered with

ivy. They are the only trees surviving from the

planting of great elms which Dean Blacker cut down

in 1819, and for which he was brought before the

Diocesan Consistory Court and compelled to pay

compensation. These four trees were probably

planted in 1740, and are more nearly approaching the

200th year of their age. In Carrickblacker there are

many trees of great age, one, the trunk of which

perhaps still survives, was reputed to have been

planted by King William when he was on his way to

the Boyne. If any of our readers know of any ancient

or curious trees in the Parish it would be of interest

to record them in this Magazine.

The Recreation Room.

The Room in Bridge Street is crowded every

evening with the men from Edenderry and other

parts of the Parish. During the past month many

matches have been shot off by the various air-gun

teams. Carne has so far kept on top under the

careful direction of its captain—David Murray. All

the teams have done well and there is a spirit of

healthy rivalry between them. The team that will

come out victorious at the end will have deserved

its laurels, for the competition is very keen between

the teams. It is very important that all the members

of the teams should pay up their dues punctually,

so that there may be no arrears. Prizes have been

very kindly given for the Friday competitions during

November. Messrs. Edgar gave a valuable purse;

Mr. Sandford, a box of scented soap; Miss Dawson,

a tin of peaches; Messrs. Hamilton & Rock, a tweed

cap. We thank very much all who have so kindly

helped us by gifts and they have been much

appreciated by the members of the room.

Edenderry Men's Class.

The men are invited to join the Bible Class

conducted by the Rev. R. W. Johnston in the Room

every Sunday morning at 10. Attendance at such a

class is a great help to the spiritual life. To know

and study God's Word, the Book of Books, is a

necessity if we are to lead the Christian life. An

increasing number of our young men are attending

the, services every Sunday in the Parish Church.

The Wednesday Evening Service.

We are glad to be able to record a gratifying increase

in the attendance at the Service in the Parish Church

on Wednesday evenings. We would ask those who

attend the Service to invite others to come with them.

In that way the congregation may be largely increased.

New Houses in the Parish.

A correspondent writes to us as follows: —" Nov.

14, 1925. Sir, —ln your report of the new houses in

Seagoe Parish you did not mention the four splendid

cottages in Lower Seagoe, built by the Rural Council."

We regret the omission. It is important when building

new houses to give them nice and appropriate names.

Among new houses in the Parish we should not omit

to mention the magnificent new house built by Mr.

Corbett in Killicomaine, one of the finest, we imagine,

in the neighbourhood of Portadown. In the naming of

houses we would suggest that they be called after some

notable natural feature in the neighbourhood or that

the name embody some historical person or event.

Carol Singers at Drumgor.

On Sunday, Dec. 13th, at 3-30, a special Carol

Service will be held in Drumgor Church Hall.

The choir has been trained by Miss Wilson, of

Knockmena.

Parish Register for November.

Baptisms.

The following were baptized in Seagoe Parish

Church on 7th November, 1925: —

Neill—Thomas Stephen, son of Thomas and Isabella

Neill, of Portadown.

Sponsors—Jane Neill, Isabella Neill.

Henry—Sophia, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth

Henry, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Mary Milligan, Elizabeth Henry.

Major—Gwyneth Patricia, daughter of William John

and Sarah Major, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Mary Devlin, Sarah Major.

Magee—Robert, son of Joseph and Sarah Margaret

Magee, of Lower Seagoe.

Sponsors – Anne Eliza Gordon, Sarah Margaret

Magee.

Marriage.

Kyle and Hoy—September 23, at St. Anne's Cathedral,

Belfast, by the Rev. A. G. Johnston, M.A.,

David Wilson Kyle, of Edenderry, to Julia

Hoy, of Clanrole.

Burials.

Collins—Oct. 31, Henry Collins, of Upper Seagoe,

aged 62 years.

Johnston—Nov. 15th, at Monasterevan, Co. Kildare,

Mrs. Minnie, Johnston, aged 51 years.

Forbes—Dec. 3rd, Sarah Anne Forbes, of Tarson,

aged 78 years

Regret.

We regret to announce the death, at an early age,

of Mrs. Johnston, of the Medical Hall, Monasterevan,

Co. Kildare, who, was a subscriber for many years

past to this Magazine. She was greatly interested

in it. Last August, through some postal mischance,

she failed to get her copy and at once wrote to the

Rector, saying how much she missed it and asking

for another copy. We sympathise very sincerely

with her relatives. Mrs. Johnston was a sister of

Mrs. Ruddell, Lurgan Road. This is a further proof

of how the Magazine keeps the many friends of

Seagoe in touch with the old Parish.

Edenderry Parochial Hall.

The Hall has undergone a notable change and

improvement in the last month. Electric light has

been installed. Four large electric lamps have

transformed the building. The recent sale held in the

Hall realised a gross result of £65 2s 8d, and the

expenses being small the nett profit amounts to £62

0s 8d. This is very satisfactory, and the Hall Committee

Has been able to pay all its debts (including the balance

due to Messrs. Musgrave for the heating apparatus)

and has a small balance in hand. With the new heating

system and the new lighting and the new steel railing

the Hall is very well equipped.

CLERGY:

Rev. Canon Archer, B.D., The Rectory, Seagoe,

Portadown.

Rev. R. W. Johnston, L.Th., 51 William Street

Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS:

Mr. Robert Price (Rector's).

Mr. Thomas Martin (People's).

Seagoe Mothers' Union.

The monthly meeting of the Mother's Union was held

in Seagoe School on Tuesday, Dec. 1st, at 7-30 p.m.

Tea was kindly provided by some of the members.

Mr. S. Rennix, Principal of Seagoe School, gave an

interesting and helpful address to the members, which

was listened to with close attention by those present.

Church Lads' Brigade.

The Brigade meets each Tuesday evening in

Edenderry Parochial Hall. Boys who wish to join

should enrol at once. The limit of age is 14, but

boys from 10 to 14 can enrol in the company of

Cadet Reserves. A large number of boys have

already joined up.

Seagoe Parish Almanac.

The Parish Almanac for 1926 is now on sale, price

2d. Only 250 copies have been printed off, so those

who wish to get a copy should do so at once. The

Almanac can be had at Mr. Vance's, Bridge St., or

from any of the Sunday School Superintendents.

The Almanac is a nice present to send abroad to

Seagoe of the Dispersion in Canada or elsewhere.

This year's Almanac is very pretty in design and

Colouring

Our Sunday Schools.

The new programme came into use last Sunday

(Advent Sunday) Nov. 29th. It is very complete and

carefully arranged. The Teachers' notes accompanying

it are "Genesis and St. Matthew" (price 1s 6d) by

Archdeacon Paterson Smyth, D.D., a former Curate

of Lisburn; and "Lessons on the Life of our Lord," by

Miss Hetty Lee (price 2s 6d). We ask all our Teachers

to get a copy of the book of Notes. Without it they cannot

teach the Sunday lesson efficiently.

Old Seagoe Graveyard.

The old Parish stable at the entrance to the grave-yard

is being removed to make way for the caretaker's new

house. The stable is a very ancient building, having

been built by subscription in 1744. The subscribers,

whose names are recorded in the Registers, gave a sum

of £7 6s 5 ½ d for materials, and did the building work

themselves. It is an old landmark, having been familiar

to the eyes of successive generations of Seagoe people

for 181 years.

A Jumble Sale.

Levaghery Sunday School intends to hold a Jumble

and Produce Sale in Edenderry Parochial Hall on

Friday, Dec. 18th, at 7 p.m. The proceeds are to go

to the Sunday School prize fund for Levaghery and

Seagoe Sunday Schools

Seagoe P.E.S. School.

Owing to an epidemic of measles among the

children of Portadown and district Seagoe School

has been closed by order of the medical authorities

for three weeks. Fortunately, the epidemic has not

been of a severe type, but great care is necessary

during the recovery from an attack of measles.

Weekly Freewill Envelopes.

We appeal to all those who have taken sets of

envelopes and have not yet sent them in to please

do so without delay as the accounts close on Dec. 31 ^st.

Envelopes for annual subscriptions are now being

circulated. A sum of £100 is needed before Dec. 31st.

We ask for an increase in these annual subscriptions.

SERVICES.

THE PARISH CHURCH.

HOLY COMMUNION—1st Sunday after Morning

Prayer; 3rd Sunday at 8 a.m., and on the Chief

Festivals.

HOLY BAPTISM—1st Saturday of Month at 3 p.m.,

and during any Service in the Parish Church

if notice be given; Two Sponsors at least are

required, and they must be Confirmed members

of the Church. Churchings are held at each

Baptism. Mothers are expected to bring a thank

offering. (See Book of Common Prayer.)

MORNING PRAYER—Sundays and Chief Festivals

11.30 a.m.

EVENING PRAYER—Sundays 7 p.m., Wednesdays

8 p.m.

EDENDERRY PAROCHIAL HALL.

EVENING PRAYER – Sundays at 7 p.m., Thursdays

at 8 p.m.

DISTRICT SERVICES.

Hacknahay —Last Sunday of Month at 3.30 p.m.

Drumgor —Second Sunday of Month at 4 p.m.

CLASSES. &c.

ADULT CLASSES - Sundays at 10 a.m.

For Men—Edenderry and Seagoe. For Women—

Seagoe School.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS—10 a.m. Edenderry Parochial

Hall and Seagoe School. 3 p.m. Seagoe, Edenderry Parochial

Hall, Levaghery, Hacknahay, Carne, Drumgor.

Girls' Friendly Society meets at Breagh (Miss.

Calvert's) on alternate Tuesdays at 7.

Seagoe Scouts in Seagoe School and in Edenderry

Parochial Hall, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30.

Seagoe Girl Guides meet in Seagoe School on

Saturday at 3.

Mothers' Union, Edenderry 1st Tuesday, at 4 p.m.

DAY SCHOOL—Seagoe, 9.30 a.m. Principal—Mr. Rennix.