December 1926

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

DECEMBER, 1926

The Saurin Centenary.

A notable date in the history of Seagoe

occurs this month, for it was on

18th, 1826, just 100 years ago, that the

Rev. James Saurin, then a young clergyman,

28 years of age, was appointed

Vicar of Seagoe, and he continued in

the Parish as Vicar and Rector for the

long space of 53 years, until his death

in May, 1879. The Saurin family were

of French origin. Jean Saurin, who was

born in 1632, settled Geneva, having

left Nismes, in France, where he formerly

resided. His second son, Louis,

became eventually Precentor of Christ

Church Cathedral, Dublin, and Dean of

Ardagh. He married Madlle. Le

Bretonnier. He died on the 19th Sept.,

1749, and left one son, the Rev. James

Saurin, who became Vicar of Belfast.

He married Jane, daughter of Wm.

Johnston, of New Forge, Co. Antrim.

His fourth son, James, was ordained at

Lisburn on Feb. 2nd, 1781, and was consecrated

as Bishop of Dromore on 19th

Dec., 1819. In January, 1796, he married

Elizabeth, daughter of Wm. Lyster (died

19th July, 1853). He had two sons,

James and Lewis. James was born in

December, 1796, He was ordained in

1820, and in 1826 became Vicar of

Seagoe. His tenure of the Parish of

Seagoe covered more than half of the

19th century. When the Archdeacon (or

VEN. ARCHDEACON SAURIN, Rector and Vicar

of Seagoe 1826 - 1879.

as he was affectionately called by the

Parishioners, the " Deacon") came to

the Parish only 11 years had elapsed

since the Battle of Waterloo. No railways

had yet been made, and the only

method of travelling was by stage

coach or private carriage. The town of

Portadown was only beginning to shape

itself, and St. Mark's Church had just

been built and consecrated. The Parish of Seagoe then extended to within 200 yards of Old Shankill

Graveyard. It also included within its bounds a good half of what is now known as the Parish of

Knocknamuckley, the site on which the Church was afterwards built at Knocknamuckley being within the boundaries of Seagoe Parish. The Rector of Seagoe depended for his income on the rents received from the two Glebe townlands of Lower Seagoe and Kilvergan. The Parish was regarded as one of such importance because of its size and population and also because it formed part of what was known as the Corps of the Archdeaconry of Dromore. When Archdeacon Saurin became Vicar of Seagoe the present Church had only recently been built. The interior was whitewashed, a great gallery extended half way down the Church, the pews were of the old square kind, and the Church grounds were in very unfinished condition. The Rectory was not in a habitable condition. It had been pronounced in 1819 as unfit for further habitation. Dean Blacker, who was Rector, had cut down all the great elm trees surrounding the house and lands, and the winds from the Bann swept up and made the big house very cold and draughty. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners gave the Archdeacon a sum of money with which to build a new Rectory, but instead of doing so he spent the money on putting the existing house into repair. He also improved the gardens and planted many fruit trees and a mulberry tree. The trees which at present encircle the, Rectory lands were also

planted by him in 1826—7. An exciting incident occurred as he was holding his first Easter Vestry in the Church on Easter Monday, 1827. A message came from the Rectory to say that the stables had

caught fire. All the members of the Vestry, headed by the youthful Vicar, rushed over to the Rectory

succeeded in quenching the flames before the Rectory caught fire, but the stables and outhouses

were destroyed. Archdeacon Meade resigned the Archdeaconry of Dromore and the Rectorship of

Seagoe on May 10th, 1832, and Archdeacon Saurin was appointed to fill the vacant offices. In 1833 there was a widespread agitation in Ireland against the payment of Tithes, and there arose what has been termed the Tithe War. Roman Catholic tenants objectcd to pay the tithe. Archdeacon Saurin assented to a reduction of the Tithe in Seagoe, the reduction amounting to a sum of 7s 6d per acre. A meeting of the tenants was held, and they were so pleased with the Archdeacon's action that they hoisted him up on their shoulders and carried him round the Parish Church amidst tumultuous cheering. In October, 1833, Archdeacon Saurin was married to Miss Simpson, of Bath, who is described in a notice of the marriage as " beautiful and highly accomplished." A full description of his homecoming was published in the Magazine for Dec., 1922. By his first wife he had three children—

1, Caroline Mary Anne Elizabeth, who was married on 9th Sept., 1858, to the

Rev. Ambrose Sneyd Cave-Brown-Cave, third son of Sir John Robert Cave-Brown-Cave, Bart, Mrs Cave-Brown-Cave died on the 16th April, 1903, leaving a family of nine sons and four daughters. 2, Christine, who was married' Oil Aug. 20th, 1874, to Dr- Stewart, of Portadown. 3, Genevieve, who died in infancy. Mrs. Saurin died in 1838. On 28th Nov 1843, the Archdeacon married as his second wife Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Rowland Egerton Warburton, and sister of General Warburton, the famous Australian explorer. She died on Christmas Day, Dec. 25th, 1891, in her 85th year. An interesting tablet in the Parish Church commemorates the death of the Archdeacon's first wife. (To be continued in next month's issue.)

The Irish Churchman.

Sunday School Teachers will find useful notes for

the morning and afternoon Sunday School lessons

in the " Irish Churchman.". The Superintendents

can obtain their copies (price 1d weekly) at Mr. Jas.

Venge's, Bridge St, on each Saturday.

Sunday School Teachers.

A meeting of the Superintendents and Teachers of

our Sunday School Still be held (D.ve) on Thursday,

Dec. 9^th at 8pm in Seagoe School. The subject

for Consideration and discussion will be “ Prizes."

A full attendance of all interested in our Sunday

School efficiency is invited.

Seagoe Parish Almanacs,

The Parish Almanac for 1927 is now on sale, price

Twopence, at Mr. James Vance's, Bridge St., or they

may be had from the Superintendents of the various

Sunday Schools- The Almanac is very bright and

full of colour. It has a text for every day in the

year and contains many other helpful thoughts for

the Home. The pictures represent the various stages

of Life from Infancy to Old Age. Readers ought to

secure their Almanac without delay as the number

is limited, and the supply will soon be exhausted.

The Almanac, if sent to friends abroad, is a nice gift

and a daily reminder of the old Church at Home.

Mothers' Union.

A meeting of the Mother's Union will be held (D.v)

in Seagoe School on Monday, Dec. 6th, at 7-30 p.m.

Mrs. Moffatt Clow has kindly consented to give to

address to the members. lea will De provided.

full attendance of all the members is requested. The

committee of the Mother's Union are arranging a

distribution of gifts at Christmas time, and they ask

the practical help and sympathy of the Parishioners

in making It a success. There is much need of such

gifts just now owing to the slackness of work and

the high price of coal.

St. Mark's Centenary.

The Services held from Nov. 7th to Nov. 14th in

St. Mark's Church, Portadown, were attended by

large numbers of people. The Services were very

hearty and inspiring, especially that held on Nov.

11th (Thursday) Armistice Day. on Sunday, Nov

14th, the following Hymn was sung, set to a tune by

Mr- W. F- Woods, organist of St. Mark's

Hymn Composed by Lt. Col. Blacker, and sung at

the Consecntion of Portadown Parish Church

November 14th, 1826.

Lord of life and light and power

Be with us in this solemn hour :

High throned in heaven, with favouring ear.

Our humble supplications hear.

And tho' that boundless heaven may be

A temple too confined for Thee,

Oh, let this house Thy servants build

Be with thy glorious Presence filled.

Unless Thine aid the Pile sustain,

The artist's labour is but vain ;

Until Thy grace the fabric bless,

All human skill is valueless.

Grant from the walls we here prepare

For holy rites and praise and prayer,

Our humble tribute still may rise

An acceptable sacrifice.

And while unto Thy Name divine

We consecrate this earthly shrine,

Oh, let us from that hour agree

To dedicate ourselves to Thee.

Till in our minds Thy " Words of Grace”

And Spirit find a dwelling place ;

And, built in Faith and Hope and Love,

Each Christian heart Thy Temple prove.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

A Happy Christmas.

We wish all our Readers at home

and beyond the seas a very

Happy Christmas and a Bright

and Prosperous New year.

Our Advent Services.

On each Sunday evening and Wednesday evening

during Advent Special Sermons will be preached in

the Parish Church on the subject of " The Second

Advent." The Service on Wednesday evenings is

at 8 p.m.

Services on Christmas Day.

Saturday, Dec. 25th, being Christmas Day, the

following Services will be held in the Parish Church:

8 a.m —Holy Communion.

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

The offerings at both Services On Christmas Day

will be on behalf of the Parish Poor Fund. Let not

Christmas be merely a day of social enjoyment.

Mark it by an act of worship in your Parish Church.

It is your Saviour's Birthday.

The Sustenation Fund.

Envelopes are now being distributed among those

parishioners who have not joined the Weekly

Envelope System. Please place your subscription in

the envelope and have it ready for the collector

when he calls, or else bring it to Church and place it

in the offertory, but bc careful to write on it your

name and address and the amount of your subscription.

The Weekly Envelopes.

We are glad to notice an increase in the amount

being subscribed through the Weekly Envelopes.

The sets of Envelopes for the New Year—1927 Will

shortly be distributed. We ask those who happen

to be a little in arrears with their envelopes to please

make up their contributions before the end of the

year . The Parish Accounts close on Dec. 31st.

The World Call,

A great Missionary Revival is on foot throughout

the church. It is known as the World-Call Movement

and has for its object a deepening of interest in the

Foreign Mission work of the Church. A great

meeting Of Church people will be held in Lurgan

Parochial Hall on Monday evcning, December 6th, at

8 pm. to which our Seagoe people are invited

Canon Garfield Williams, a famous Missionary, will

attend and speak. We hope many from Seagoe will

attend this meeting. There is a convenient bus service

to and from Lurgan.

The Church Army Van.

Welcome once again to Seagoe Parish a Church

Army Mission van. ' It arrived here from Waringstown

on Friday, Nov. 26th, in charge of Captain

Stocks and Cadet Crawford. Mission services are

being held each night at 8 pan. in Edenderry

Parochial Hall. The Mission will be continued until

the third week in December. A Children's Mission

service is held on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7 p.m.

The services have been well attended and much interest

has been shown in the Mission. The Church

Army Hymn book is used. No service is held on

Saturdays. The service on Sunday evening is at 8-30.

Visit of the Rev. W. T. Grey.

We will be glad to have a visit again from the

Rev. W. T. Grey, who was Curate of Seagoe from

1901 to 1904. At that time the late Rector was in weak:

health, and Mr. Grey carried on with vigour and

energy the work of this great Parish. After a short

spell as Curate of SL Luke's, Belfast, he volunteered

for Foreign Mission work and was accepted by the

Society for the Propagation of the Gospel for work

in Tokio, the capital of Japan. Here he laboured

for some 10 years, and then returning home obtained

a position as Cathedral Vicar in St. FinnBarr's

Cathedral, Cork. He was then appointed Rector of

Parish in the Co. Cork, a post which he held until

early this year, when he was appointed Deputation

Secretary to the Jews Society at its head office in

Dublin. Mr. Grey Will preach in Seagoe on Sunday,

Dec. 5th, at Morning and Evening Prayer, on behalf.

of the Jews Society.

Soup For School Children.

The children attending Seagoe school who come

from Edenderry are now supplied with nourishing

soup each day at the School. It is supplied from

the Carleton Home. and Mr. of Edward

St., has very kindly agreed to send it out on his

van each during December.

Parish Register for November.

Marriages

McKerr and Gregson—Nov. 5th, 'Thomas James M'Kerr. of Belfast,

to Elizabeth Gregson, of Drurngore

Noble and Boyd—Dec. 2nd, William Nob!e, of Newry.

to Elizabeth Boyd, of Edenderry.

Burials

Hewitt—Nov- 12th, Margaret Hewitt, of Edenderry aged 88. Interred at Drumcree.

M'Kerr—Nov. 20th, Letitia M'Kerr, of Edenderry aged 63.

Cuddy—Nov. 23rd, Emily Elizabeth Cuddy, of Belfast ; aged 25.

The Select Vestry.

At its meeting in November the Select Vestry considered

the Possibility of some of the trees in the

Churchyard being cut down. But it is felt that

nothing Should be done which would alter the Picturesque

appearance of the Church as it now stands.

The matter will be again considered at the next

meeting of the Vestry

SEAGOE PARISH

RECTOR :

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

Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS :

Rector's—Mr. James Twinem, Lylo and Edenderry.

People's—Mr. Moses Gilpin, Drumnagoon.

ITEMS

Drumcree Parish held special services in October

to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the

consecration of the present Church. It is of interest

to the people of Seagoe that the conspicuous spire,

which is a landmark in the neighbourhood, was

built by a former Rector of Seagoe, Dean Blacker.

A number of strolling beggars have recently been

asking for help in this neighbourhood and giving

as their address certain streets in Edenderry.

Parishioners ought to be careful not to give to any

poor person unless they know something about

them. To give alms indiscriminately is merely to

encourage dishonesty. If the money thus given were

contributed to the Poor Fund of the Parish it would

reach the deserving poor.

Much regret has been expressed at the death of

Mrs. M'Kerr, of James St., which took place with

tragic suddenness. She had been in weak health

for some time, but no one expected the end. During

her long residence in the Parish she was greatly

respected by everyone who knew her. We sympathise

very sincerely with Mr. M'Kerr and her

family in their sad loss.

Convenient waiting rooms are being erected

in Seagoe graveyard. A large, number of the graves

in Old Seagoe are now very carefully tended and

planted with flowers.

Captain Stocks, who is with the Church Army,

a native of Yorkshire. He has been a worker in

Church Army for several years and last year visited

the United States (including South Manchester) with

other representatives of the Church Army. Cadet

Crawford, his able Lieutenant, is a native of Belfast

and comes from St. Mary's Parish.

We have lost by death during the past month a

very aged and much respected parishioner in Mrs.

Hewitt, of James St. She had lived for many years

in Toronto, but returned some years ago to the

country. Although approaching 90 years of age,

was very active up to the last. She had a great

love for Canada, where she had spent many happy

years. Her quiet spirit and firm faith marked her

out as one of God's elect.

The Recreation Room for men in Bridge St. is

patronised by the men of the district. The

have been newly sighted and several keen competions

have been held for prizes presented by kind

friends. A Jumble Sale is being arranged.

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

p.m.

DISTRICT SERVICES.

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

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

MAGAZINE'

CLASSES,

ADULT CLASSES—Sundays at 10 a.m.

For Men—Edenderry and Seagoe. For Women

Seagoe School.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS—IO a.m. Edenderry Parochial

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

Parochial Hall, Levaghery, Hacknahay

Carne, Drumgor.

Men's Recreation Room, Bridge St., open every

night from 7 p.m.

Seagoe C.L. Brigade in Edenderry Parochial Hall

on Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

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

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

MARRIAGES must be performed between 8 a.m.and 3 p.m. Licenses are issued by Rev Canon Hannon, The Rectory, Lurgan. Due notice (48 hours) must be given to the Rector of intended weddings. FEE By License—Labourers 5/-, Tradesmen 10/-, Merchants and Farmers 15/-, Professional £l. BY Banns 5/-

FUNERALS will be attended by the Clergy if proper notice be given. SICK CASES should be notified to the Clergy without delay. FEES FOR CERTIFICATES BAPTISM, 3/7; Children (Factory), 1/0 and (non-residents) ; MARRIAGE, 3/7. An extra search fee is chargeable in certain cases A copy of the Magazine will he sent post free to any subscriber for 3s per annum.