Kilrea Presbyterian Church is a church building of the Coleraine and Limavady presbytery of Presbyterian Church in Ireland. It is located in the village of Kilrea, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. In January 2026 First Kilrea Presbyterian Church was united with Boveedy and Second Kilrea congragations to form the new Kilrea Presbyterian Church.Blossoms for Farewell at 2nd Kilrea Presbyterian Church 2025, Julie Magee, The Coleraine Chronicle.
History The first Meeting House built for Presbyterians in the Kilrea district was at Moyknock. In 1642 the first church building at Moyknock was burned down. A second church was built in the townland of Boveedy, just outside modern-day Kilrea. This building served the parishes of Kilrea, Tamlaght, Boveedy and Desertoghill.The Scots Kirk, Kilrea. 1990. James H. McIlfatrick.
The third meeting house, the first in Kilrea, was built in 1770. The building stood a short distance in front of the present church.The Scots Kirk, Kilrea. 1990. James H. McIlfatrick.
The present-day church building, or "Scot's Kirk" (English: Scottish [or 'Presbyterian'] Church) as it was called, had its foundation stone laid in 1837 and opened for worship in 1839. The funding for the church was provided by the Mercers' Company and built to a design by William Barnes of London.The Scots Kirk, Kilrea. 1990. James H. McIlfatrick.
Ministers
Boveedy
+ Ministers"Ministers of Boveedy Presbyterian Church" memorial plaque Incumbency Minister 1680–1690 William Gilchrist 1697–1729 Matthew Clerk 1732–1741 Robert Whirling 1744–1748 Alexander Cumming 1749–1779 John Smyth 1781–1848 Adam Boyle 1841–1844 William Denham 1845–1847 D. T. Boyd 1848–1887 James Gilmore 1888–1931 W. J. Hill 1923–1929 J. A. R. Boyd 1930–1972 G. R. M. McDowell 1969–1979 S. W. M. McClintock 1980–1995 Gordon 1996–2005 Stewart MacKay 2009– Trevor John McCormick
First Kilrea
+ MinistersThe Scots Kirk, Kilrea. 1990. James H. McIlfatrick. Incumbency Minister c1680 William Gilchrist 1697–1729 Matthew Clerk 1732–1741 Robert Wirling 1744–1748 Alexander Cumming 1749–1785 John Smith 1789–1794 Arthur McMahon 1794–1821 John Smith 1825–1851 Hugh Walker Rodgers 1852–1869 James Maxwell Rodgers 1869–1873 James Heron 1874–1932 James Stewart 1925–1962 Hans Hadden 1963–1967 Ivan James Wilson 1967–1975 John Oscar Bridgett 1976–1985 Ivan James Wilson 1986– Trevor John McCormick
Second Kilrea
+ MinistersA Short History of Second Kilrea. 2019. Trudger, One Irish Rover Incumbency Minister 1833–1839 James McCammon 1840–1883 Joseph Dickey 1884–1888 F. O. M. Watters 1888–1892 John Colhoun 1892–1902 Alexander Gallagher 1902–? W. J. Farley
References
External links Geograph First Kilrea Presbyterian Church First Kilrea Boys Brigade Company