History
There has been a church at Ballyward from 1659 when the Rev. Legard Black was the minister.
It was rebuilt in 1820 at an expense of £900, a grant from the Board of First Fruits & dedicated 1821. In 1836 it was described as a neat building with a square tower.
It contains a monument of marble erected to the late rector of Drumgooland and vicar of Drumballyroney, the Rev. Thomas Tighe, who was rector of the parish for 56 years and the mentor of the Rev Patrick Bronte, famous as the father of the Bronte sisters. The incumbent then was Rev. John Dubourdieu, rector, Ballyroney Glebe whose income was £380 per years and his curate, Rev. Robert Forde's salary was £75 per year. The Rev. Brooke was minister during the Famine years and in 1837 was applauded for setting up a soup kitchen at his own expense.
The minister in 1893 was Rev. W.J. Coburn.
It was rebuilt in 1820 at an expense of £900, a grant from the Board of First Fruits & dedicated 1821. In 1836 it was described as a neat building with a square tower.
It contains a monument of marble erected to the late rector of Drumgooland and vicar of Drumballyroney, the Rev. Thomas Tighe, who was rector of the parish for 56 years and the mentor of the Rev Patrick Bronte, famous as the father of the Bronte sisters. The incumbent then was Rev. John Dubourdieu, rector, Ballyroney Glebe whose income was £380 per years and his curate, Rev. Robert Forde's salary was £75 per year. The Rev. Brooke was minister during the Famine years and in 1837 was applauded for setting up a soup kitchen at his own expense.
The minister in 1893 was Rev. W.J. Coburn.
Today
It is currently linked with Drumgath, Drumballyroney, and Clonduff churches .
Drumgooland Parish is a central meeting place for groups from all ages and religions. Weekly the hall facilitates badminton, Tuesday senior citizens club, Guides,Brownies and Rainbows, Bowling Club,Mothers Union, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers,Youth Club, Sunday School and Flame Youth Fellowship. There are also Bible study groups , Sunday prayer group, children creche and Vestry meetings held in the Sextons Cottage.
Annually the church organises various fundraising events that have become calender events in the community.
These include a Vintage road-run and barbeque were funds are raised for Newry Hospice.
An annual Threshing and Vintage Vehicle show on the first Saturday of October attracts crowds from far and wide, with a real country carnival atmosphere, dog-show, antique stalls, zip-line, tea-tent, burger stand, ploughing demos, tractor pulling competitions.
The Mothers union ladies provide catering for the Bronte Society visit.
A country auction of everything (and the kitchen sink ) occurs every May to raise church funds.
A yearly collection of toys and gifts are donated to the church welfare group each Christmas.
The church runs a burger stand at the annual Rathfriland Fair day in September.
This may sound like its all hard work but we have a lot of fun, both by attending many to the clubs in the church hall, but also singing with the church choir weekly and at Harvest services and Carol service. There is also a Praise group which leads singing at our family service on the third Sunday. There are also evening walks in Castlewellan Park throughout the summer months and barbecues, treasure hunts and quizzes.