On a very wet and cold morning, seven days before Christmas, a large number of parishioners and guests gathered in the warmth of the First Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church built in 1779, where the minister emeritus, the Very Rev. William McMillan MBE, spoke of his joy at being able to honour the great Henry Montgomery. A man described as the champion of the non-subscribing Presbyterians; a preacher, teacher and reformer who had a long association with the Glebe Road Church and whose grave was in the adjoining graveyard.
Chris Spurr, Chairman of the Ulster History Circle said that the Circle was delighted to commemorate the distinguished minister in his church on the 150th anniversary of his death in 1865.
Before moving outside to the plaque unveiling ceremony, Ian Crozier, chief executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency who funded the plaque expressed the Agency’s delight in being able to remember a ‘titan of the Church’ who was born in Killead, Co. Antrim of Ulster-Scots stock.
As the Rev. William McMillan proudly unveiled the plaque, he remarked that the life of Henry Montgomery was the story of the pressures he experienced in the pursuit of the ideals he cherished, and the grace with which he endured them.
After the ceremony, very welcome Christmas refreshments were provided by the ladies committee of the Church.
- Rev. William McMillan, MBE addressing guests in Dunmurry First Presbyterian Church (Non-Subscribing)
- Ian Crozier, Chief Executive Ulster-Scots Agency – funder of the blue plaque.
- Rev. McMillan unveils the plaque.
- L.R. Rev. Christopher Wilson, Moderator of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church-N.I., Chris Spurr, Chairman-Ulster History Circle, Rev. William McMillan MBE, Rev. Trevor Gillian, and Ian Crozier, CEO Ulster-Scots Agency
- Liam Logan and Alan Boyd, Ulster History Circle.
- Guests gather in front of the Church to watch the unveiling.