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Ballynahatty
and Creevan
Presbyterian Church
History
Ballynahatty is a small village about four miles from Omagh, quite close to the Owenreagh River and about two miles from the present Church. The little village once boasted a schoolhouse, a Presbyterian Church and a market every Saturday.
Although in 1642 immigrants from Scotland established the Presbyterian Church in Ireland there was no Presbyterian Church in Ballynahatty until several substantial farmers in the local area resolved to build a meeting-house in Ballynahatty. In 1805 a substantial slate-covered building was erected on Ballynahatty commons and on 23rd June 1807 the Rev. John Watson was ordained their Pastor.
Unfortunately his career as Minister was fraught with difficulties and after charges of intemperance were brought against him, though never proved, he was forced to resign.
In 1936 when his successor, the Rev. John Latimer, arrived in First Ballynahatty, the once large congregation seldom numbered more than forty at Sunday worship. Mr Latimer was well liked in the surrounding area and soon the congregation had grown to over 150.
Mr Latimer also established a Sunday School attended by over 100 children, including several Catholics. Unfortunately one Sunday when preaching in Second Omagh (now Trinity Presbyterian) he caught a chill. At first his illness didn't seem dangerous and for some days he continued his duties but ten days later he died leaving a widow and an infant son.
Mr Latimer's successor in Ballynahatty was the Rev John Houston. Mr Houston was ordained in Ballynahatty in 1843 and was an able and successful clergyman. In 1862 Miss Rachel Houston, a cousin of Mrs. Houston, presented the congregation with a manse and a freehold farm. Also a wall was built round the church property, a porch erected, and the interior of the meeting-house completely renovated. After a long ministry of nearly sixty years Mr Houston passed away and his successor, the Rev George Brown, was ordained on 28th July 1892.
Meanwhile, in nearby Creevan (the site of the existing church) an independent congregation known as Second Ballynahatty, had been in existence since 1834. The present Church building was built in 1837 and on 20th December the Rev. John Porter, from Ardstraw, was ordained as the first minister. Following Mr Porter's death in 1868 Mr James Brown, from Ballymoney succeeded him, being ordained on 30th March 1869.
A Memorial Plaque to the Rev John Porter.
Erected in Creevan Church
In 1900 the General Assembly agreed that the name Second Ballynahatty be changed to Creevan. Unfortunately Rev. James Brown died on 20th April 1902. On 15th July 1902 Mr John Ashfield Clarke from Sixmilecross was ordained. Mr Clarke had a new manse built in 1913 and he resigned on 7th February 1916. Now there is no trace of the manse in the townland of Rathkeeragh, on land now owned by Mr Jack Kerr.
A Memorial Plaque to the Rev James Brown.
Erected in Creevan Church
After Mr Clarke's departure there was a prolonged vacancy until a union with First Ballynahatty was achieved in 1928.
The Rev. George Brown of Ballynahatty resigned the united charge the next day.
The Rev William Ernest Cochrane became Minister of the united charge on 18th July 1929 and retired on 19th July 1969. Following the closure of Ballynahatty Church the new Ballynahatty and Creevan congregation were united with Fintona, whose Minister, the Rev. Arthur O'Neill, was installed on the 12th November 1969. He retired in 2000.
His successor, the Rev Edwin McDowell was installed on 23rd March 2001.