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The Church
1694 saw the building of a private chapel on the Moyola Estate by Joshua Dawson. This chapel, to a large extent, catered for the worship of estate staff and was to become known as ìthe church over the Bridgeî. It is nearly two hundred years older than the Parish of Castledawson which was formed as a separate unit in 1875.
In 1710 and 1760 the church was greatly enlarged. In 1851 the church was greatly enhanced by the addition of a stained glass window made by Cootes of Belfast, and the chancel walls were embellished with some fine oak carvings. Parquet flooring was laid in the chancel and it was furnished with a beautifully carved oak Communion Table, two Glastonbury chairs and Communion rails. As well as providing these adornments, George Robert Dawson installed a pulpit and a large carved oak eagle.
In 1847, he had bought a handsome carved frame which came originally from the Cathedral of St. Malines in Belgium and was used by him to frame a brass tablet on which was inscribed the genealogy of the Dawson family. This surround had to be replaced (1980) owing to an attack of woodworm
Another massive carved frame surrounds brass memorial tablets from his tenantry to mark his death in 1856. This carving has greatly interested visitors over the years and some experts think that it was originally the surround for a fireplace.
Such was the little church handed over to the newly-formed Parish of Castledawson in 1875, to be the Parish Church for the growing community. It was the heritage and gift not of one generation of Dawsons but of many, and it has a continuing record of family monuments and gifts from succeeding generations, alongside those of its newer parishioners.
The Parish was formed from some townlands ceded from the Parishes of Magherafelt and Ballyscullion.
Extract from minutes of Derry and Raphoe Diocesan Synod held on 4th August 1875:
ìCouncil have consented to the formation of a new Parish of Castledawson to comprise the following portions of the Dioceses of Derry and Armagh: From Magherafelt Parish - that part of. Ballynocker to the East of the Castledawson and Curran Road, all Shanemullagh, all Tamnadeese and that portion of Annaghmore to the east of Castledawson and Ballyronan Road. From the Woods Chapel - that part of the Creagh between the Moyola, Lough Neagh and the Castledawson-Toome Road. From Ballyscullion part of Leitrim-Lances. In Leitrim, to South of Leitrim Road; the whole of Tamniaran; part of Drumclamph, bounded by Ballyherry townland and the Coppice Road; from Peadlows to Moyola river.î
It was dedicated Christ Church on 7th November 1876 by Bishop Alexander (husband of Mrs Cecil Frances Alexander of There is a Green Hill far away and Once in Royal Davidís City fame).
Points of Interest
Windows on North Wall
1 Dorcas
Original window by Mayer Munich London.
Bottom third replaced by Art Glass of Londonderry after bomb attack in town in 1976 though original dedication lost.
Acts 9.36 and 39 - Tabitha/Dorcas lived in Joppa and was a ëdressmakerí.
2 Dedicated to wife of Robert Peel Dawson (window 4).
Another Mayer Munich London work.
3 Dedicated to George Robert Dawson.
Unusual window in that 1/8î leading is used (normally ºî). This is not a stained glass window -it is fused glass ... very thin coloured glass is heated and stuck onto plain glass.
4 Dedicated to Robert Peel Dawson
- presumed to be by Mayer Munich London.
East Window
Unique in that this is a steel-framed window rather than a leaded one. Contains the Dawson family crest (as does window 3) - the motto ëToujours propiceí means always propitious.
South Wall
These two windows are in memory of Robert Peel Dawson and Robert James Spencer Churchill. It is thought that the faces of the two boys were copied from their photographs.
Window in entrance Porch
Presented in 1932 by Lady Spencer Chichester when the porch was added.
In Chancel / Sanctuary
Prayer Desk and Pulpit are mid 19th century replacements of originals. Lectern has a revolving top and is dedicated in memory of Adolphus John Spencer Churchill Chicheter.
Lordís Prayer and Creed are originals dating from 1851; the Commandments replace the originals.
The Communion Table also dates from 1851.
The ornate carvings were part of the 1851 refurbishment of the Church.
North Transept
The single manual organ was originally a ëgreat houseí organ and was adapted for Church use. It dates from early 19th century and originally had a sliding manual which it is hoped to restore.
Memorials
There are many memorials to the Dawsons, Chichesters, Clarks and Chichester Clarks showing the development of these families. Other memorials are dedicated to parishioners who influenced much of the life of the Parish as it has developed.
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