I realise this is the history of two congregations, but to write two separate histories would mean much duplication. Both congregations have been indelibly linked together in so much of their history – being one congregation for the first sixty years and now sharing the one minister as a joint-charge for the past ninety three years. I could not count the number of times I have been asked, ‘Where does the name Clonaneese come from? Why are there two churches?’ – I trust this history will answer those and other questions you may have.
This book cannot in any sense be called a history of the Clonaneese Presbyterian Churches, but rather gives some insight into the life and events of the congregations during the past two hundred and eighty years. I am only too aware that there are many gaps in this history and every detail has not been recorded, but there must be a time when a record is made of the information that has been gathered and leave someone else to fill the gaps in the future.
I thank the people of both Upper and Lower Clonaneese churches for their patience – this has been a long time in coming. I have often been asked, ‘How is the history coming on?’ I thank my wife Sandra, who has had so often to endure me locked away in the study or in some library, for all the encouragement she has given and numerous hours she has spent in the reading and re-reading the manuscript. Also our sons Stephen and Peter for their encouragement, support and valuable help with photographs, text layout and publication.
I thank my two Clerks of Session – Mr Ivan Duff (Upper) and Mr George Lyttle (Lower) for their words of ‘Appreciation’. Also the Rev Dr. Joseph Thompson for very kindly reading the manuscript, for the valuable advice he has given and for writing the ‘Foreword’.
May you enjoy reading this book and be reminded time and time again of God’s amazing grace and faithfulness
ENDORSEMENTS
Mr Fleck is to be congratulated on his work and his writing of history, past and present, in a careful way. It is recorded that Sir Walter Raleigh, when he embarked on his somewhat ambitious history of the world said, “He who fain would write history too close on its heels is liable to be kicked up the teeth.” Such a fate should not happen to this author.
This history is presented around the ministers of the two congregations separately and then together from the union. This is usually the method in congregational histories but the weakness of such a method is the absence of members of congregations. Mr Fleck, in his quotations from the records of the Kirk Session and Committee remedies this. This is a strength of this history. It ought to be noted that at times Minutes do not exist and the historian is unable to quote the names of members.
Rev. Dr. Joseph Thompson
Each year as we celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, our memories take us back through the years and we will often tell our children of how things were in “our young day” and recall stories we in turn were told by our elders. By passing on these snippets of history they can be kept alive for a little longer, but it is only by writing them down they can be recorded forever.
In this age of technology it is good for us, the twenty-first century Church, to pause and look back. This book takes us on a journey right back through the years of history to the origins of the Clonaneese congregation and the early days of Presbyterianism in Ulster, I believe it will help answer many common questions we ask, such as why are we called Presbyterian? Where exactly is Clonaneese? Have the buildings changed much over the years? What was the worship like years ago? and similar questions.
Although we might have enjoyed the old stories that have been passed down regarding the life and history of the church, they may not always have been totally reliable and an accurate record of our past has been long overdue. I am therefore delighted that this account has been prepared and am convinced as you read it you will find the details to have been thoroughly researched and supported by extracts from historic records such as old minute books of the church and Presbytery and official documents.
I pay tribute to the author, ably assisted and supported by his wife Sandra, and thank them for many hours diligently researching and condensing centuries of history into a book. I trust that you, the reader, will find its content compelling and informative reading, and you will come to realise that the work and witness at Clonaneese has a deep and historic foundation.
Ivan Duff
Clerk of Session of Upper Clonaneese.
On behalf of the Kirk Session, Congregational Committee and Congregation of Lower Clonaneese, I express our appreciation to our minister the Rev. Dr. Ian Fleck for all the effort and time he must have spent on researching records and compiling all the material that he received for this book on the history of the Clonaneese congregations. We also thank Mrs Sandra Fleck for all her help in proof reading the manuscript.
I trust many will enjoy browsing through its pages as it is a very interesting story of how Presbyterianism was established in the Clonaneese area in 1728 and how the first church was built as what was then known as the ‘Clabber Meeting House’ in one of my fields.
When you read this book you also will find out why the two congregations of Upper and Lower Clonaneese are so near to each other; a question that has often been asked by visitors.
It is good to reflect on the past. The author has indeed given us a history of our church through joyful and difficult times and we give thanks to our Lord and Master for the rich inheritance that has been handed down to us from the past generations.
May we all look to the future with courage and hope that the present and future generations may see much fruit for their labours and keep the light of the Christian faith and Presbyterianism still burning in Lower Clonaneese.
George Lyttle
Clerk of Session of Lower Clonaneese