Our first talk of 2025, was our own Desmond Rainey who gave us a whirlwind tour of the history of Christianity in Comber, touching upon all denominations, congregations, and ecclesiastical history.
Desi began with the earliest history of the Christian traditions in Comber dating back around 1,600 years, with St. Patrick's visit marked by a conflict with a local leader's son named Saran. Saran's brother Conla, however, offered Patrick land called the "Plain of Elom" for a church, leading to Comber's first monastery, although its exact location is unknown. Comber was part of a network of Celtic monasteries, including Nendrum on Mahee Island. This ancient Patrician monastery, was taken over by the Augustinians and became known as the Black Abbey but eventually faded into ruin. With the Norman invasion of Ireland, a new monastery was established in Comber in 1199, built by Cistercian monks. The precise location of this abbey is believed to be in Comber Square, where human remains were found during construction in 1844. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII in 1543, the abbey was abandoned and destroyed. By the 17th century, Scots settlers led by Hugh Montgomery and James Hamilton remodelled part of the abbey as St. Mary’s Parish Church, which underwent various changes throughout the years. It holds several original stones from Comber Abbey donated by the later Erskine Willis.
Presbyterians have long made up the majority of Comber's population and Desi walked us through the history of both First and Second Comber Presbyterian congregations. Highlighting historical events such as the 1859 revival and the various religious ministries of prominent clergymen; Rev. Rogers, Rev. Killen etc. Comber also has many smaller churches such as the Non-Subscribing, Methodists, or Roman Catholics each with their own rich history which Desi explored in a wider historical narrative of Comber. Key highlights included the visit of John Wesley, founder of Methodism, also visited Comber for open-air preaching in the 18th century, the construction of Our Lady of the Visitation Roman Catholic chapel on Killinchy Street as well as how modern religious services operated under Covid-19 pandemic.
The talk encompassed such a large swathe of local history, through the lens of the local religious communities that it is impossible to cover all the interesting details, people and events included. It is clear that Comber has a rich and diverse religious history which has evolved Comber’s religious landscape of today. All at Comber Historical Society would like to pass along their thanks to Desmond for a fascinating presentation.
Our next meeting is on Monday, February 10th at Smyth Hall, 2nd Comber Presbyterian. Our annual Ulsterscots Night will see a presentation from William McCullough on the Rev. William Tennent, prominent Ulsterscots preacher and educator and his connection to Comber. As our Ulsterscots night is supported by the Ards & North Down Borough Council and the Ulsterscots Agency, the night will be free of charge so come along!
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