New Clerk of Session and Choir Master

Two new appointments have been made at First Derry Presbyterian Church.

The first is a new Clerk of Session, Billy Kyle, who was unanimously elected at a status meeting of the Kirk Session last Tuesday evening, to succeed Dr Derek Lee, who held the post for over 20 years.

A member of First Derry all of his life, Dr Lee tendered his resignation to coincide with his retirement as pharmacist at Altnagelvin Hospital. His late father, Mr Tom Lee, also a pharmacist, was an elder in the church.

Mr Kyle was the unanimous choice of the Kirk Session. Mr Kyle, along with his wife Kate and family, have been associated with First Derry since 1996. Prior to this they were members of Claremont Presbyterian Church, which was amalgamated with First Derry in 1996.

“A well-liked businessman in the city, Billy is the right person at the right time to guide the city’s oldest Presbyterian congregation into the future,” said Rev Dr David Latimer, Minister.

“This is the beginning of yet another chapter in the long and varied story of the city’s oldest Presbyterian congregation.”

The second appointment was that of David McGuckin, who was appointed as Organist and Musical Director, replacing Nigel Cairns who is currently preparing for the Ordained ministry.

“David is widely recognised as the consummate professional in his skilfulness at the organ and a choir leader and for many led Altnagelvin Hospital Choir,” said Dr Latimer.

“First Derry was reopened in 2012 following refurbishment and exists as a sacred place for worship.”

and as a shared space for people of different creeds and cultures.”

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