Sam’s the man with Shankill’s history at his fingertips

LURGAN man Sammy Malcolm has been church historian and archivist with Shankill Parish for the past seven years.
Sammy Malcolm who was taking tours of Shankill Parish Church on Saturday shows off the original parish record of baptisms, marriages, burials and vestry minutes, dating back to 1672. INLM19-700.Sammy Malcolm who was taking tours of Shankill Parish Church on Saturday shows off the original parish record of baptisms, marriages, burials and vestry minutes, dating back to 1672. INLM19-700.
Sammy Malcolm who was taking tours of Shankill Parish Church on Saturday shows off the original parish record of baptisms, marriages, burials and vestry minutes, dating back to 1672. INLM19-700.

He took over the role from the late Wolsey Gracey, who like Sammy was involved in the Scout organisation.

79-year-old Sammy has taken great pleasure in trawling the church’s archives to delve into the rich history of Shankill Parish. It was with Sammy’s help that the ‘MAIL’ was able to put together this feature marking the 150th anniversary of the current church.

On Saturday afternoon he took guided tours of the church and shared its heritage with visitors.