A Brief History of the Raloo Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church
The first attempt to establish a Presbyterian congregation in Raloo took place in 1673 and, at that time, there was no church of any description in Raloo. However, following an influx of people to the countryside, many people wanted a local church, rather than having to attend one in Larne or Ballycarry. Although Robert Kelso was ordained as minister of Raloo on 7th May 1673, it soon became apparent that this was a poor community parish, with no prospect of erecting a Meeting House or providing a stipend to Mr Kelso and so, within a year, he resigned. The situation remained the same for the next 150 years, until there was another rise in the rural population levels in the 1820s and 1830s, resulting in a renewed surge of church building. In 1837 preparations began, led by Rev Classon Porter but also supported by William Glendy of Ballycarry and the first meeting of interested people was held in Larne on 23rd November 1837. Funds were raised and a site obtained in Widow Drummond’s garden in Raloo village. The foundations of the new church were cut on Tuesday 2nd January 1838 and a foundation stone was laid on 20th March. Work proceeded quickly and the new meeting house opened on 2nd September 1838 by the Rev. Dr Henry Montgomery. Over the following months, efforts were made to find a minister and in the summer of 1839 the people of Raloo settled upon John Compton. He was ordained in Raloo on 6th August 1839 and brought all his skill, enthusiasm and vigour of youth to the new congregation. All indications are that he was laying the foundations of a strong congregation however, on 27th March 1848, suddenly and tragically, John Compton died. There is no doubt that this was a severe blow to the growing congregation, but another more widespread disaster also affected the church at the same time. These are the years known to Irish history as the potato famine, when many were reduced to dire poverty and, seeking a better life, left the area or emigrated. Despite a falling population, Raloo church survived and strengthened over the following decades. In 1903 a major renovation took place with new windows, pews, floor and pulpit, which still remain in place to this day. Congregation numbers continued to decline and in 1948, Raloo became a joint charge with Ballycarry, with church services moved to 3pm. There followed some of the most difficult years in the congregation’s history with low numbers and limited finances. Nevertheless, a band of stalwart members maintained church services with activities and their faithfulness was rewarded as, with the passing years new opportunities came and numbers increased. Successive renovation projects maintained and enhanced the church building and in 1996, a church hall opened beside the church, making possible a considerable extension to church life and activity. There is an old graveyard, just down the lane from our church, which has been there from at least 1290, but possibly earlier and our minister, Rev Dr John Nelson, has been known to give tours of the graves to people, many from USA, who are looking for the graves of their ancestors. Raloo congregation does not aspire to be anything other than a plain country church but it sits in the heart of a rural community, which it serves and of which it is very much a part.
This history was taken from; ‘A Short History of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland’, written by Rev Dr John Nelson. Further information on Raloo church can be found in; ‘Raloo Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, a Short Centennial History’, Rev John McCleery, 1938.