About us
Welcome to Seapatrickparish.com, we hope that you find this site useful and easy to navigate. This page is all about who we are and where we came from, so scroll down to read the whole lot, or simply use the links to click to the bit you're interested in.
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Our History
Seapatrick Parish can trace its history back to the 5th century when tradition has it that St Patrick camped overnight to rest on his journey from Downpatrick to Armagh. Christian worship has been offered in the area since then, and in 1837 the church in the village of Seapatrick was built, with Holy Trinity being built in 1882.
The name Seapatrick is a compilation of Suide Padruic meaning seat or resting place of Patrick and tradition suggests St Patrick paid regular visits, possibly as he journeyed between Saul or Downpatrick and Armagh.
Seapatrick Village (now really a suburb of Banbridge) was therefore the original centre of civilization and the original Parish Church, now a ruin, was located there.
Like most ancient churches in Ireland it bore the scars of successive periods of war and until the mid 17th century was probably the only church in the area. History would suggest that the Roman Catholics had ceased using it by 1630 but continued to use its graveyard for burials right through to the 19th century. It is recorded in journals as being in very poor condition in 1641, being refurbished in 1698 and in good condition in 1721.
With the advent of the Industrial Revolution at the beginning of the early nineteenth century and the introduction of linen production to the area by the Huguenots the population of the area increased dramatically. In those early days the only means of crossing the Bann River was a ford at the bottom of Kiln Lane some half mile from Seapatrick Village. Also about this time a Mail Coach run between Belfast and Dublin was introduced. In order to facilitate this new means of transport and communication, it was decided to build a bridge over the Bann River. Engineering surveys determined that this should be located a distance of a mile below Seapatrick Village and some half mile below the existing ford. In due time housing gravitated around the bridge and hence the town of Banbridge was born.
The new relocated Parish Church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity was consecrated on 7th November 1837. From 1609 until 1837 the incumbent of Seapatrick Parish had been called “Vicar of Seapatrick” and also “Dean of Dromore”.
In 1821, due to the poor condition of the parish church in the village of Seapatrick, it was felt necessary to build a new one. Due to the bourgeoning developments around the bridge and restrictions posed by existing graves etc on the original site, relocation to a new green field area offered by the Marquis of Downshire beside the new bridge over the Bann was mooted. The proposal faced stiff opposition for a variety of reasons ranging from money to traditionalism and due to the poor economic circumstances of the time was not eventually carried until 1833.
The new relocated Parish Church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity was consecrated on 7th November 1837. From 1609 until 1837 the incumbent of Seapatrick Parish had been called “Vicar of Seapatrick” and also “Dean of Dromore”. The then incumbent Rev Daniel Dickinson ceased to be Dean and became Rector of Seapatrick. He was Vicar and Dean from 1832-37 and Rector from 1837-70 a ministry of thirty eight years. He is the parish’s longest serving Rector and third longest incumbent.
In 1837 times were hard. The local workhouse was built in 1841 and the Potato Famine (1846-1848) and emigration decimated the population of Ireland in the succeeding years. In 1847 the Old Parish Church at Seapatrick village was sold to a local mill owner and vestry member Fredrick Hayes for £25. Two men were employed to demolish it and use the stone to build a wall around the graveyard to protect it from grave robbers. Only one gable of the old church exists today.
The Disestablishment of the Church of Ireland separating it from the Church of England and making it an autonomous Anglican Communion took place in 1869 with effect from 1st January 1871. In 1880 less than fifty years after the relocation of their treasured Parish Church the residents of Seapatrick gained some consolation with the refurbishment of the nearby disused schoolhouse into a Chapel of Ease seating 100 people and dedicated to St Patrick. St Patrick’s Church was consecrated for worship in 1882 and has maintained this tradition of worship in Seapatrick Village with a weekly service ever since.
In 1883 it became necessary to enlarge the new Parish Church in Banbridge. Its roof was raised six feet and transepts added to accommodate 800 people. In 1887, on the Church’s 50th anniversary, the Bishop confirmed 300 young people. This remains a record for the diocese. Building work has continued to modern day as we seek to restore and preserve the church for future generations. In 2010 the crooked spire was straightened, a not inconsiderable task was set by the then Rector. Archdeacon John Scott challenged the parishioners to raise £200,000 in one year, and less than 11 months later the money was raised, the building work was complete and the spire was paid for. Today “Holy Trinity” continues to flourish, as we hope you will see from this website, and to maintain the emphasis on people rather than on bricks and mortar.
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Meet our Staff
RectorCurrently vacant |
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Vicar
Rev Mark Greenstreet was appointed Vicar of Seapatrick on 1 July 2009. Mark comes with twelve years experience since his Ordination in England. He is married to Annette and they have a little daughter, Naimh.
He can be contacted at:
Telephone 028 4066 9086 or via the Parish Office (028 4062 2744) |
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Auxiliary Minister
The Reverand Ken Quinn is a non stipendiary Minister and has been with us in Seapatrick since his Ordination in 1985. Ken and Carol both love holidaying in France and spending time with family. If you need to contact him, please use the following information:
Rev. K. Quinn. 4 Knollwood, Seapatrick, Banbridge BT32 4DE Telephone 028 4062 3515 |
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Church Army Officer
Captain Geoffrey Walmsley is a Church Army Officer and has been with us in Seapatrick Parish since 2005. He is married to Christine and has four children, Thomas, Sarah, Grace and Chloe. Geoffrey is our Church Army Pastoral Assistant, and is very approchable and friendly - always willing to lend an ear for any pastoral issue. If you need to contact him, please use the following information:
Capt. G Walmsley, 16 Bannview Heights, Banbridge BT32 4LZ Telephone 028 4062 8303 |
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Youth Pastor
Martin Montgomery is our Youth Pastor in Seapatrick Parish, he was appointed to this post in 2007 and previously spent 5 years living and working in the same role in Ipswich. He achieved his BA (Hons) in Youth and Community Work with Applied Theology from CYM, and is currently studying for his Masters in Inclusion and Diversity through QUB (due for completion in 2011).
Martin Montgomery, 67 Windsor Hill, Waringstown BT66 7FZ Telephone 07812 050920
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