New minister welcomed in Killyleagh

New minister welcomed in Killyleagh

24 August 2016

A NEW rector has been instituted in Killyleagh Parish Church — and his family is well known in the area.

Rev Colin Darling was installed on Monday evening by the Bishop of Down and Dromore, Right Rev Harold Millar, at a service packed with members of the Killyleagh community and visitors from Cregagh, Saintfield and Hillsborough parishes. 

Rev Darling came to Killyleagh from St Finnian’s in Cregagh, where he was curate, and Monday’s sermon was delivered by Cregagh rector, Canon Jono Pierce.

The new Minister is following in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather, Rev Canon Stanley Mann, who was rector of Killyleagh Parish from 1935–1963. 

Before he was ordained, Rev Darling worked for 25 years for two banks before deciding to go forward for the ministry. 

Both his father and paternal grandfather were ordained as well as other family members, while his mother Patricia Darling and aunt Beatrice Mattholie were born and brought up in the old rectory and married in the church.

A warm welcomed was extended to the new minister by local councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews and local clergy, Rev Hiram Higgins from Killyleagh Presbyterian and Rev Louise Monroe from the local Methodist Church.