Respected Ballymoney Minister 'privileged' to have served St James's

ONE of the best known and respected churchmen in north Antrim will step down from the pulpit this weekend after a life time of dedication to the ministry.

Rev. Trevor Magowan, Minister at St James's Presbyterian Church, will conduct his last service in the church at 10.30am this Sunday July 4 before entering retirement.

Rev. Magowan told the Times he was "privileged" to have served at St James where he has been since 1979.

A concert in Rev Magowan's honour has been held in Ballymoney and over 300 people packed into the John Armstrong Hall in Dalriada School after a meal in the Church Hall.

The theme of the evening was celebration and Rev. Magowan said there was a "party spirit" with proceedings being kicked off with Limavady Jazz Band followed by the Laverty School of Dancing.

Further entertainment came from Richard Carey and Ellie Barr and Jonathan Wade played clarinet.

The church's Praise Group sang as did the Church Choir and there were speeches from Clerk of Session Bertie Johnston and Rev Campbell Wilson, the Senior Minister of Armagh Road in Portadown.

There were also a few words from Rev. Magowan's wife Maeve before a presentation of flowers composed by Grace Smyrell and presented by Joan Carey.

The Jazz Band got the evening off with a 'swing' and Rodger Goodliffe and the band belted out a few Glenn Miller numbers which had people up dancing including Rev. Magowan himself and Dr Barr was also seen on the floor.

Rev. Magowan is father of Tim, Kerry and Jill. The Minister will now live in Ballycastle and Rev. Ian McNie of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney will be the convenor of the vacancy at St James' until a new minister is selected.

There have only been eight ministers in the history of St James' since it began in 1834 and in fact in the last 98 years there have only been three.

Rev. Magowan succeeded Rev. John Mulree who was the incumbent for 33 years and before that the Minister was Robert W. Wilson who was also present for 33 years.

Rev. Magowan is originally from Kilwaughter House near Larne and he joined the ministry around 40 years ago, being assistant minister in First Antrim for four years before being Minister in Loughbrickland and Scarva in County Down for seven years.

He said he joined the Church as part of his "Christian commitment" because he wanted to make a positive contribution to the Church.

Rev. Magowan said: "The Church is a very human organisation with its faults and weaknesses but the church is also the heart in a sometimes heartless world."

Rev. Magowan came to Ballymoney in 1979 and he said he was "very privileged to be here".

He said he was really involved in reconciliation work and sought to try to bring all churches together and he also remembers the lignite debate and the lead the church gave in it.

Rev. Magowan also carried out work with Christian Aid and he is delighted his son became a Director of 'Tear Fund'.

Recalling the varied days of his own ministerial work, Rev. Magowan said: "There was a wide range of experience from seeing people's hopes and hurts and also sorrow.

"But I always liked the 'tone' in Ballymoney which is an open and inclusive tone."

He said St James will be an "attractive charge" for whoever takes over from him and he wished to pay tribute to the 100 willing volunteers at the church.

Rev Magowan said the willingness of such people to give so much of their time to help others is the church's greatest strength.

Now, as he prepares for his move to the seaside as part of his retirement, Rev. Magowan can look back on a packed and varied four decades of church service.

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