Presbyterians who lived around Clough & Seaforde first met for worship in 1680 in the townland of Drumcaw. The first minister of the congregation was Thomas Maxwell born in Ballynahinch 1642 and educated in Glasgow university. He was succeeded by Hugh Ramsey. The congregation increased so much that the next minister Hugh Williamson obtained a lease in 1736 of 1/2 acre in Clough from Francis Annesley the landowner. One year later the new Meeting House was built, the church where we worship today in Clough. Hugh was succeeded by his son John.

During this century a growing number of ministers were attracted to a different way of understanding theological issues known as the New Light. Some refused to subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith, the standard belief of the denomination. John Williamson embraced this teaching. In 1773, he was suspended from ministerial duties. He was replaced by Robert Porter whose preaching did not meet the approval of the members of the congregation living in the adjoining parish of Kilmegan, so they started a new congregation in the new town of Castlewellan in 1804. Twenty years later members in Seaforde complained that the teaching was not evangelical. They opened a new church in Seaforde in 1826 with Robert McCormick as their new minister.

The minister of Clough, Robert Porter was succeeded by William Campbell also a supporter of New Light teaching. When he died in 1829 his assistant, David Watson hoped to fill the vacancy. When he did not get the required number of votes his supporters wanted to lead the congregation into the Non-Subscribing presbytery if Antrim. This led to division. Tempers flared and the police were called to restore order in the meeting house. The local magistrate read the riot act and locked up the church. The dispute was referred to the Courts of Justice to determine which party should have possession of the meeting house. In the meantime, each party ordained their own minister. David Watson for the New Light party and Francis Dill for the evangelical orthodox party.

In 1836 the Court of the Exchequer in Dublin decided in favour of the Evangelical party. The following year the New Light party opened the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian church on the Castlewellan road.

Francis Dill conducted worship in the re-opened meeting house for the next 6 years. He was succeeded by Edward Stuart. Robert Scott, ordained in 1833 led the congregation into the 20th century and a church hall was opened in 1901.

In Seaforde Robert McCormick was succeeded in 1839 by John McMordie followed by John Rea and John Stewart.

Robert Scott of Clough died in 1922 and John Stewart of Seaforde resigned in 1923. Both congregations were now vacant. The General Assemble directed that Clough & Seaforde by united from 5th March, 1923.

Since the congregation gathered at Drumcaw over 300 years ago, members have maintained a continuous witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, influence generations of families in Clough and Seaforde.

Ministers of Clough & Seaforde Presbyterian Congregations

Clough Presbyterian congregation, originally Drumca, called its first minister in 1680. Rev. Thomas Maxwell remained until his death in 1705.

Rev. Hugh Ramsey                         1707 - 1720

Rev. Hugh Williamson                    1722 - 1748

Rev. John Williamson                     1752 – 1773

Rev. Robert Porter                          1773 – 1813

Rev. William Campbell                    1815 – 1829

There were a number of ministries which were not evangelical. This caused a number of new congregations to be formed: Castlewellan in 1804 and in April 1824, Seaforde. The congregation gathered in Seaforde so they could hear the Gospel, and called their first minister in 1826.

Clough

Rev. William Campbell

Rev. Francis Dill

1829 - 1841

Rev. Edward Stuart

1842 - 1882

Rev. Robert Scott

1883 - 1922

Seaforde

Rev. Robert McCormick

1826 – 1838

Rev. John McMordie

1839 - 1877

Rev. John Rea

1878 - 1878

Rev. John Stewart

1879 - 1923

General Assembly directed that the congregations be united from 5th March. Rev. Charles Orr became the first minister of the congregations.

Rev. Charles Orr 1923 – 1934

Rev. Henry McNeilly 1934 – 1937

Rev. Robin Boggs 1938 – 1951

Rev. William Craig 1952 – 1962

Rev. Samuel Scott 1963 – 1965

Rev. John Ross 1966-1969

Rev. Samuel Miller 1970 – 1974

Rev. Desmond Knowles 1975 – 1984

Rev. Robert Craig 1985 – 1994

Rev. Adrian Moffett 1995 – 2005

Rev. Maurice Stewart 2008 – 2014

Rev. Adrian Adger 2015 – 2021

Rev. David Bingham 2022 -