CORBOY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Corboy Presbyterian church in Co. Longford is a small community of about 10 families. This country church is situated approx. 4 miles west from Edgeworthtown, of the main Longford road. The church was established in the middle of the 17th century.It was the first congregation in the county, which in its heyday boasted three churches, Corboy, Tully and Longford Town. Today only Corboy remains and it has two unique distinctions:

• It is the oldest surviving congregation in the Irish Midlands.
• The church is the oldest Presbyterian church in continual use outside Ulster.

  The church building is a "barn type" meeting house, typical of the dissenter tradition within the reformed churches.
  It was built in 1729 by Revd James Bond. Attached to the rear of the church is a two storey dwelling house, which was used until the new "manse" was built in 1847. This new manse was used until the retirement of Revd. James McLarnon, in 1972 when it was sold. The interior of the church was renovated in the 1880's with the seating changed to its present state, which reflects a more conventional church design,

  THE GRAVEYARD.

  The graveyard is also of historical interest. It contains a number of 18th century graves and the Bond enclosure. There are eight ministers buried there:

  1. James Bond, Corboy (1762 the oldest surviving grave)
  2. James Martin (1767)
  3. William Flemming(1784)
  4. Robert Rogers (1791)
  5. James Wilson (1816)
  6. James Bond, Licarrow(1821)
  7. John McCubbin (1847)
  8. James McLarnon (1976)

  By the middle of the 18th century, Corboy was a flourishing congregation. However the Penal Laws, combined with emigration saw Corboy reduced to 36 families. Among those "lost" to the congregation was the Bond family, who joined the Church of Ireland

  Corboy was not spared the effects of the famine. The Revd. John McCubbin died on 12 October 1847 from a fever, which he contracted whilst visiting a family of the congregation, two weeks after moving into the new manse.

  During its history Corboy has been united with a number of other congregations. Tully (1881-1886), Tully again (1914),Longford (1920's-1940's).
  By 1967 Corboy's minister was also conducting services at Roscommon. In 1973 Corboy was united with Mullingar and Cavan. Presently Corboy is united with Kells and Mullingar.

  Worship services are held every Sunday at 12.30 pm.

  RENOVATIONS

  Corboy is currently undergoing major restoration work.
  There were no funds when the renovation committee was formed in March 1996. A fund raising auction raised £15000.
  Another £100000 has been raised from different organisations, such as Longford Community Resources Ltd, Longford Co. Council and The Home Board of the Presbyterian Church.
  Most of the money needed for the restoration has now been found, so the future for this historic building has been secured.

  1. Minister in Charge:
     Rev Chris Aitcheson,
     The Manse, Bective Street, Kells, Co. Meath.
     Tel: (046) 49681 Fax: (046) 49681
     E-mail address: caitcheson@tinet.ie
  2. Secretary: Mr Victor Murphy
     Winetown, Rathowen, Co. Westmeath,
     Tel: (043) 76009
  3. Restoration Committee:
     Charlie & June Murphy,
     Lackan Lodge, Edgeworthtown, Co. Longford.
     Tel: (043) 71299

     
     

     BACK