Hillhall Presbyterian Church

History

For many years the congregation was called Lisburn in the records of the Seceders. The congregation's own history, which follows Stewart's The Seceders in Ireland, describes it as the first place in Ireland to write to Scotland for help.

In 1750 a call bearing nearly 120 signatures was offered to John Tennant, who preferred and accepted another charge. Moira and Lisburn then joined forces and called John Hume of Aberdour, Fifeshire. The Synod had already destined Hume for work in Pennsylvania, following an appeal from the Rev Alexander Craighead of Middle Octarara, and refused to allow the call. Hume declined to complete his trials for the move to America and, after apologising to the Presbytery, was released from the appointment. He was ordained to the pastorate of Moira and Lisburn on 30 January 1753.

Ten years later Hume resigned the Lisburn portion of his charge, which then became a distinct congregation. While in the town the congregation does not appear to have obtained a site for a meeting house. It was probably about that time that it moved from Lisburn to a site given by Mrs Law of Hillhall, and from then the congregation bore the name Hillhall.