November 1928

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

NOVEMBER, 1928.

SCHOOL HOUSE for Boys and Girls

PROPOSED TO BE ERECTED AT SEAGOE,

by

ARCHDEACON SAURIN.

1853.

Seagoe P.E. School.

We present our readers this month with a pretty

Seagoe. The School has been prominently before

the public during the past month. The attempt

which was made to close it called attention to the

interesting history of the School and the good work

which it has accomplished in its long career extending

over 200 years. The picture of the School reproduced

above is of special interest. It was the very first sketch

ever made of the School, being the plan drawn by the

architect, Mr. Boyd, of Belfast, for Archdeacon

Saurin before the School was built. The inscription

under the block explains how the sketch came into

existence. The old-fashioned dress of the man and

his wife and child seen on the path leading up to

the School carry us back over seventy years.

The School was built by money subscribed by the

Parishioners, and we are fortunate in being able to

print here the actual statement of accounts as issued

by Archdeacon Saurin in 1863.

Seago School House.

Dr. £ s d

1860—July 10th:

To Building, etc., as per Ledger 366 4 8

1863—Jan. 12^th:

To Flooring 5 0 0

371 4 8

Cr.

1862—March 13

By Subscription List, Bazaar, etc., etc., 309 0 8

as per Ledger

By Cash from Jas. Blacker, Esq. 10 0 0

By Balance due Archdeacon Saurin 52 4 0

371 4 8

From 1859 until 1874 the School was carried on

under the Church Education Society of Ireland. Miss

Allen taught in it for many years. In 1874 it was

brought under the National Board, the late Miss

Kinnear being appointed Principal, and the late Miss

Isabella Bailey being the assistant. Miss Kinnear

was succeeded by Mr. Thos. Stothers (now the Rev.

T. Stothers). When he resigned in 1908 Mr. Chambers

was appointed Principal, and he in 1918 was succeeded

by Mr. Samuel Rennix, who has just ceased his connection

with the School on October 31st, having been appointed

Principal of the Downshire P.E. School, Dundrum, Co. Down.

CLERGY:

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

Portadown.

Rev. W. A. Henry, 21 Edward St., Portadown.

LAY READER (Bishop's Licence):

Mr. Robt. Gracey, Railway Street, Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS:

Rector's—Robert M'Clements.

People's—William Dermott.

History of Seagoe School.

The first direct reference to Seagoe School in the

annals of the Parish occurs in a Terrier or Statement

of Lands made by the. Rev. Arthur Fforde, Vicar of

Seagoe. The Terrier is dated 1742. It contains the

following entry "There is also on this Townland of

Lower Seagoe a Schoolhouse built by the present

Incumbent, of stone and lime 20 feet long and 16 in

wide the in the clear, which together with an acre of

land, is conveyed by him to the Church wardens for

the Life of the Parish Schoolmaster." This School was

situated in, what was known as the School Park, the

triangular plot of ground at the lower side of Seagoe

Graveyard. The Rev. Arthur became Rector of Seagoe

in 1731, and was transferred to Shankill (Lurgan) in

1748 as Vicar of that Parish. On August 19th, 1743,

the Schoolhouse Park was surveyed by order of the

Rev. Arthur Fforde and was found to contain 1 acre

2 roods and 27 perches. The surveyor and mapmaker

was Thomas Gilpin.

Schoolmasters of Seagoe

The first schoolmaster of Seagoe whose name

appears on the page of history is William M'Guire,

who held that post in 1768. In 1774 he was succeeded

by Francis Dogherty. In 1810 Mr. George M'Caughaley

was the teacher in Seagoe School. He was succeeded

by Mr. Forsythe, of Derryvore. In 1859 the present

School was built. A great bazaar was held to raise money

to cover the building expenses, and the School was

formally opened on Wednesday, May 2nd, 1859. The

National Board of Education was instituted in 1833 but

Seagoe School, was already in existence and doing useful

educational work 100 years before the first National

School was opened in Ireland. No less than twenty

generations of Seagoe children have been educated

in Seagoe.

Royalty in Seagoe.

It is not often that Royalty visits Seagoe, but on

Thursday, October 11th, the King's daughter Princess

Mary, Viscountess Lascelles, began her visit to

Northern Ireland by arriving at Portadown Station.

The children of Seagoe School, with children from

the Portadown Schools, were drawn up in the Station

square. Seagoe had the place of honour next to the

Station. The Princess and Viscount Lascelles were

somewhat late in arriving, but when the Princess

appeared she was greeted with a hearty cheer

from the children. Railway Street and part of Bridge

Street were gaily decorated and dense crowds from

all parts had assembled to welcome the Princess.

She drove to the Governor's House at Hillsborough

by motor, passing along Railway Street, and Bridge

Street.

Presentations.

Mr. and Mrs. Rennix received many presentations

before they left Seagoe. The teachers in Edenderry

Sunday School presented Mr. Rennix with a handsome

umbrella. The Choir of Seagoe presented Mr. Rennix

with a photographic camera. Seagoe Girls' Bible Class

chose as their gift to Mr. Rennix a set of fish knives

and forks and a walking stick. The Seagoe Afternoon

Sunday School presented Mrs. Rennix with a fountain

pen. The children attending Seagoe P.E. School

presented Mr. and Mrs. Rennix with a set of knives and

forks. The presentations were made at social gatherings.

Mr. and Mr, Rennix kindly entertained Seagoe Bible

Class and Sunday School to tea. Mr and Mrs. Rennix

thanked all those who had so kindly given presentations

and expressed their great regret at leaving Seagoe.

Seagoe Parish Almanac.

The Parish Almanac will be on sale at Mr. Vance's,

16 Bridge Street, from Dec. 1^st, price 2d. It is very bright

and pretty. If any Parishioners wish to get a copy in

advance to send to a friend in a distant land they can get

one if they call at the Rectory. The number of Almanacs

is strictly limited, so do not delay to secure your copy.

Levaghery Harvest Services.

The last of our Harvest Services will be held (D.V.)

in Levaghery School on Sunday, November 4th, at

3-30 p.m., and on Monday, Nov. 5th, at 8 p.m. The

preacher at the Service on Sunday will be the Rev.

T. G. R, Magill„ M.A., curate of St. Mark's Church,

Portadown.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services.

The Harvest Services in the Parish Church were

held on Thursday, Oct. 18th, and on the following

Sunday. The congregations were very large, especially

on Sunday evening. The Anthem; "Praise the Lord, O

Jerusalem," was well sung by a large choir, Mr. David

Murray taking the tenor solo. The Church looked very

pretty in its garnishing of fruit, flowers and palm trees.

The Rector of Donacloney (Rev. R. J. M'Donald)

preached on Thursday for Foreign Missions, and on

Sunday the Rev. J. J. M'Clure, Rector of Tartaraghan,

preached in the morning and the Rev. Canon Marks,

Rector of Tanderagee, at the evening service. The

services concluded with a Te Deum sung at the close

of the service on Sunday evening. The musical portion

of the service, under the direction of Mr. T. Wilson

and Miss Wilson, added greatly to the beauty and

heartiness of the services.

District Harvest Services.

During October Harvest Services were held in all

parts of the Parish. They were attended by large

congregations in every case, and the services were

hearty and devotional.

Hacknahay held its Festivals on Oct. 1 ^st. The

decorations were beautiful, mostly of choice roses.

The Rev. T. G. R. Magill, Curate of St. Mark's

preached on the Sunday and Mr. R. Gracey; Lay

Reader on Monday. Miss Wilson presided at the organ.

Carne had its Festival on Oct. 7th and 8th. The Hall

was crowded at both services. The preachers were

the Rev. Canon Archer and Mr. R, Gracey. Mr. David

Murray presided at the harmonium, and a strong choir

sang the hymns very heartily. The Hall was prettily

decorated. The Harvest Services in Drumgor Church

Hall were, as usual, attended by very large numbers.

Mr. R. Gracey preached there on Sunday, Oct, 14 ^th,

and the Rev. W. A. Henry on Oct. 15th. Mr. Richard

Robb sang a, harvest solo anthem with much expression.

Great trouble had been taken with the decorations, and

the Hall looked very pretty. The Services in Edenderry

Parochial Hall were held on Sunday, Oct. 28th, and

Monday, Oct. 29th. The Hall was quite filled at each

service. The decorations were very pretty, and the music

was exceptionally good. A special platform had been

erected for the choir. A Harvest Anthem, “Praise, oh

praise Our God and King," was sung. The offerings

were liberal. The preacher on Sunday was the Rev. W. T.

Ewart, rector of Milltown, and on Monday the Rev. M. T.

Egerton, Rector of Mullabrack. At the Monday service

the Church Army Hymn Book was used.

Jumble Sale

A most successful jumble sale was held in Edenderry

Parochial Hall on Friday, Oct. 25th, at 7-30 p.m. The

proceeds, which realised some £25, are on behalf of the

projected Church Lads' Brigade. The hat trimming

competition, in which Mr. Casey won first prize was

greatly enjoyed. The stalls were soon cleared and the

few remaining articles were sold to the highest bidder.

We thank all who helped to make the sale a success and

we congratulate Mr. Gracey on all the hard work he put

into it to make the sale a success.

Thursday Services.

Weekly Services will (D.V.) be held on Thursdays in

the following centres on the dates mentioned: —

Carne Church Hall—On Nov. 8 ^th and Dec; 6^th.

Hacknahay School—On Nov. 15th and Dec. 13th.

Levaghery – On Nov. 22nd and Dec. 20th.

Drumgor Church Hall—On Nov. 29th,

These Services will be, held at 8 p.m.

Beginning on Wednesday Nov. 8th, a Service for

children will be held (D.V.) in Edenderry Parochial

Hall at 4 p.m. and on each succeeding Wednesday.

Parish Register for October.

Baptisms.

The following were baptized in Seagoe Parish

Church on October 6th, 1928:

Walsh – Meta, daughter of Joseph and Jean Walsh,

of Drumnacanvey.

Sponsors—William Jacobs, Florence May Jacobs,

Jean Currie.

Stanfield – Ruth Phyllis, daughter of Thomas Edward

and Mary Jane Stanfield, of Levaghery.

Sponsors—Mabel Stanfield, Mary Jane Stanfield.

Porter – James, son of David and Anne Elizabeth

Porter, of Lower Seagoe,

Sponsors—Emma Watson, Anne Elizabeth Porter.

Glassey—Sarah Mildred; daughter of William John

and Rosina Glassey, of. Edenderry.

Sponsors—Sarah Kane, Rosina Glassey.

Best—James, son of James and Sarah Best, of Balteagh.

Sponsors—James Best, Anne Jane Best, Sarah Best.

PRIVATE BAPTISM.

M'Cormick—Oct. 6th, 1928, George; Son of Robert and

Emily M'Cormick, of Portadown.

Marriages.

Watson and Grace—Oct. 8^th, 1928 James Watson, of

Portadown, to Isabella Gracey, of Edenderry.

Carvill and M'Kerr - Oct. 17th, 1928, William Carvill,

of Portadown, to Letitia M'Kerr, of Edenderry.

Cleaver and Webb—Oct. 18th, 1928, after banns,

Albert Stanley Cleaver, of Priory Parish,

Dunstable, Bedfordshire, to Eva Webb, of

Clanrole.

Burials.

Gilpin—Oct. 1st„ Jane Anne Gilpin, of Carne; aged

71 years.

Hall—Oct. 6th, James Hall, of Belfast, formerly of

Edenderry; aged 60 years.

M’Cormick – Oct. 7th, George M'Cormick, of Portadown;

aged 12 days.

Freeburn—Oct, 22nd, James Freeburn, of Edenderry;

aged 78 years.

Archdeacon-Elect of Madras.

The Rev. W. R. Crichton, a former curate of Seagoe

and well-known to so many of our readers, visited

Seagoe on Monday, Oct. 29th, Mr. Crichton is on

holiday from Madras, India. We heartily congratulate

him on his appointment by Bishop Waller as

Archdeacon of Madras. He is to be instituted to that

high and responsible office on his return to India

next February. He will then be the Venerable W. R.

Crichton.

The Annual Report.

The Report is now in the hands of the Parishioners.

It is very clearly arranged and contains a full

statement of all moneys received and disbursed in

connection with the Parish. If any errors happen to

be noticed will you please communicate with

the Hon, Treas., Mr. H. Stoops, Killicomaine Road.

Annual Sustentation Envelopes.

It is most important that those Parishioners who

give annual subscriptions towards the Sustentation

Fund should send the amount to the Hon. Treas.,

Mr. Hugh Stoops, Killicomaine Road, if possible

early in December. The Parish accounts close on

Dec. 31st each year, but if the annual subscriptions

are not sent in in good time it materially delays

the closing of accounts and the publication of the

annual report.

Church Lads' Brigade.

A meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 7th,

at 8 p.m. in Edenderry Parochial Hall. Lads will be

enrolled between the ages of 15 and 20.

Seagoe Mothers' Union.

A meeting of the Mothers' Union will be held (D.V.)

on Tuesday, Nov. 15th, at 7-30 p.m. in Seagoe School.

Tea will be provided for the members, and a full

attendance is requested.

Seagoe School Items.

On Thursday, Nov. 1st, Mr. F. L. M'Kee and Mrs.

Abraham took up work as temporary Assistant

Teachers pending the appointment of a permanent

Principal and Assistant Teacher.

***

A deputation consisting of Messrs. R. M'Clements,

H. Stoops, J. Twinem, D. Murray and T. E. Maginnis

together with the Rector and Major, Shillington, M.P.,

were received by Viscount Charlemont, Minister of

Education, at the Ministry of Education, Parliament

Buildings, Belfast, on Thursday, Oct. 25th, in

connection with the protest against the closing of

Seagoe P.E. School. Mr. Bonaparte Wyse, Secretary,

and Mr. Yates, Assistant Secretary, were also present.

***

The Minister of Education has written to the Rev.

Canon Archer intimating that Seagoe P.E. School

is not to be closed.

***

We are indebted to Miss Atkinson, of Eden Villa,

for the original of the picture of Seagoe School

printed in this issue of the Magazine.

***

The Rector, as tenant of Drumgor Church Hall,

has furnished an account for £20 to the Armagh

Regional Committee for 9 weeks' use of the Hall

by Balteagh P.E school, from August 13th to Oct.

13th.

***

The Select Vestry of Seagoe at their last meeting

passed a unanimous resolution that the Rector is

the tenant of Drumgor Church Hall, and requesting

the payment to him by the Armagh Regional

Committee of £2 per week for the use of the Hall

by Balteagh P.E. School and additional payment

compensation if any injury be done to the Hall

during its use by the School.

Golden Wedding.

Hearty congratulations to Mr, and Mrs. John

Flannigan, of Bridge Street, on reaching their

Golden Wedding Day. They were married in

Drumcree Parish Church on Oct. 19th, 1878.

Mr. Flannigan was married on his birthday.

Mr. and Mrs. Flannigan are very highly esteemed

by all who know them. We wish them many further

years of happy wedded life.

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

8 a.m. during Advent and Lent.

EVENING PRAYER—Sundays 7 p.m., Wednesdays

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. 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.

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

night from 7 p.m.

Mothers' Union, Edenderry, 2nd Tuesday of each

month.

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, Rectory, Lurgan. Due notice (48 hours) must be given to the Rector of intended weddings. FEES— 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/- and 2/- (non-residents); MARRIAGE, 3/7. An extra search fee is chargeable in certain cases. It will be a help to the Clergy if they are notified of the arrival of new Church families in the Parish.

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