History

This Sacrament from the earliest records seems to have been held twice yearly, but not on set dates. It varied from year to year. Tables and forms were put in the aisles, which were wider before the extensive renovation of 1895, and the congregation sat around. There were possibly several sittings and each one had an address.
There were five services – Preparation Sabbath, (one before) Humiliation and fast day, (usually Wednesday) Pre-Communion (Saturday), Sacrament Sabbath and Thanksgiving, (Monday). The Wednesday, Saturday and Monday services were held in the forenoon.
The following is a copy of the financial side of Communion.

1806 Collections
Aug. 25. Preparation Sabbath 5s. 4d

Aug 28 Fast Day l 0s 2d.

Aug 31. Sat. 8s 8d.

Sep. 1 Sacrament Sabbath £1. 1s. 9d.

Sept. 2 Thanksgiving Day. 4s. 9d

Baptisms 7s. 7d.

£3. 8. 3d

Expenses
4 gals Port Wine £2 6s 0d1 Gal. whiskey 9s 8d.Bread 6s 3d.
Minister’s Expenses £1. 2s. 9d.

Precentor 7s. 7d.

Paper & Little Exp. Is. 3d.

Alex. Sutherland. Sexton 7s.7d.

Mrs. Sutherland (washing tablecloths)2s. 8d.

£5. 3s. 9d.

By 1840’s the whiskey had disappeared from the scene, and wine instead of port was used.

150 – 160 attended Communion in 1800’s, by the beginning of this century this had dropped to 120. Over 30 young Communicants were admitted each year. Before admission they had what was called an exam – oral questioning before the Session. Whether they had classes beforehand is not clear. Interesting are the remarks made on these young people:
Jane D-Weak in knowledge, but earnest.
Mary M- Sensible, but timid.
Martha D- Has something of her mother’s thoughts.
John W- Very ignorant.
William G- Good. and so on.

By the beginning of this century, Communion had settled into the pattern of today, the third Sunday in May and October. Fast days were continued on into the early 1900’s. Tables were no longer brought in. People sat in their pews, and the common Cup was used.

These cups and the chalices were presented in 1897 by Mrs. Lyons (Magheraconluce), and can still be seen at each Communion service.

Before that pewter cups probably, were used. In 1957 Individual Cups were presented by the Young People’s Guild and the Girls’ Auxiliary. They were handed over by Mary Reid for the Girls’ Auxiliary and Wallace Beatty representing the Young People’s Guild. At the same time Card Tokens were used for the first time, instead of the old lead coin tokens, some of which are still in the cupboard of the Minister’s room. In 1941 Pre-Communion was changed to Friday evening instead of Saturday morning.

In 1951 Our Communion Table was given by Mrs. Irvine (Bangor) and the chairs by her sister Miss Gill in memory of their father.

Back to the past again. In 1843 those who were two years of more in arrears of Stipend and because of such had forfeited their claim to Communion were to be sent a circular reminding them to pay, and also those who were
enjoying the fellowship of Communion, but were not pew holders to be asked to pay pew rents.