Book on history of Presbyterian Church

Book on history of Presbyterian Church

20 October 2021

A BOOKLET on one of the leading advocates of the Non-Subscribing faith has been written by Rev David Steers, minister of Downpatrick, Ballee and Clough Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Churches.

Entitled Rev Samuel Haliday (1685-1739), the book looks at the often controversial figure in the Presbyterian Church in Belfast.

Samuel Haliday was minister of Belfast’s First Presbyterian congregation from 1720 until his death in 1739. 

Following his installation, the first subion controversy broke out and the Rev Steers describes Haliday as “one of the most eloquent and able exponents of the Non-Subscribing cause”.

The booklet shows that Haliday’s career and his attainments stretched much further. 

He travelled widely around Europe as a student, as an army chaplain and as the guide to the nephew of Sir Hans Sloane — the Killyleagh-born founder of the British Museum — on a tour. 

He was highly regarded in Geneva, an important link between English and Irish dissenters, and a lobbyist for the Church of Scotland in London. 

Haliday’s accomplishments were considerable and marked by easy communication equally with Anglican Bishops and Church of Scotland Moderators, and a strong friendship with a number of theologians in Switzerland, all of which fed back into the theological controversies amongst Presbyterians in Ulster in the 1720s.   

Published by the Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland, the booklet will be officially launched at a special event hosted by First Church, Rosemary Street, Belfast on Wednesday, November at 7pm. 

The evening will include contemporary music provided by harpist Tanya Houghton, the church’s musician in residence.  

The evening is free but Covid regulations require registration in advance so booking is essential.

Email firstdunmurrynsp@gmail.com to book or telephone 07935 645686

Copies of the book will be available for purchase priced at £3.