Golden celebration at Railway Street church

Dr Cromie’s ministry spanned 31 years of rapid change in Lisburn, 24 of which coincided with years of violence, murder and destruction in Northern Ireland. Throughout that time he gave sound counsel and demonstrated strong leadership.

In his tribute to Dr Cromie, Norman McClelland, a lifelong member of the congregation, outlined some of the former minister’s other achievements including unstinting service to the wider community and to the Church at large. He was chaplain to the servicemen at Thiepval and to Thompson House Hospital and had also taken a keen interest in education, being chairman of Brownlee Primary School, governor of Killowen Primary School and chairman of Lisnagarvey High School.

Dr Cromie had represented the Presbyterian Church on many Boards, Committees and Commissions. The most notable event was Dr Cromie’s election and installation in 1984 as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Dr and Mrs Cromie were accompanied to the service by their immediate family - Alan, David, Gillian and Fiona - as well as members of the extended family and some close friends.

In summing up his tribute, Mr McClelland said: “Many of us who are gathered here today have such lovely memories of your years with us in Railway Street. These we will always treasure. William Wordsworth put it most succinctly in the closing lines of his poem, ‘The Solitary Reaper’:

‘I listened motionless and still; And as I mounted up the hill

The music in my heart I bore, Long after it was heard no more.’”

After the service, Dr and Mrs Cromie were presented with gifts from the congregation and enjoyed a happy time of fellowship over lunch with many past and present members of Railway Street.