History of Mahon Methodist Church

Mahon Methodist Church (situated in the townland of Drumnakelly) was built in 1828 through a bequest from Mr Henry Ripley, a leader in the Society here at that time. Mr Ripley held his farms in perpetuity and upon his death bequeathed the site of the Church and £200 to build it.

With this sum and through the management of Mr John Harrison, also a leader in the Society and one of Mr Ripley’s executors, the building was completed.

The Church was opened in 1829 by Rev Adam Averall, a very notable figure in the history of Portadown and Methodism in Ireland. The Ordenance Survey Memoir of 1834 records that Drumnakelly Primitive Methodist Church “is a small plain rectangular stone building, 39 feet 6 inches long and 24 feet broad with Gothic windows”. The general weekly attendance was stated to be 200 persons.

In 1844 the Sunday School was started at Mahon and continued for about 40 years, after which is lapsed for a number of years.

From its opening in 1829 Mahon Primitive Methodist Church belonged to the Tandragee Circuit. The two dioceses of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Primitive and Wesleyan, were united in 1878 and at this time Mahon became part of the re-organised Portadown Circuit. A few members of Mahon Society were not satisfied with the amalgamation and were permitted to hold a service on each alternative Sunday evening. Mr John Harrison was their leader and this service continued until his death.

In 1882 a great Mission was held at Mahon conducted by Rev R S Lee and a small band of helpers. Some of those taking deep interest in that Mission were James Turner, Frances Wright, William Robinson, John Weir and Jonathan Hewitt. At this time the Church was renovated by the Harvey family, Joseph, Jacob and their sister with pitch time pews being installed.

The Sunday School was restarted in 1890 with John Weir as Superintendent, a position he held until 1925 when he was succeeded by James Dunlop.

The Church was again renovated and redecorated in 1926 and electricity was installed in 1936. The field in which the Church Hall now stands was purchased in 1945 for the sum of £100, the present hall being constructed in 1954.