On October 6th, 2024, Omagh Presbyterian Church was filled to overflowing and more chairs were continually being added to the aisles of the sanctuary. The congregation was a mixture of the Omagh and Boston church members as well as many from the Crosstowne Church who look forward to regularly meeting in that beautiful place.
On May 4th, 1839 the cornerstone for the small white wooden building that was Omagh Presbyterian Church was laid on an acre of land on Britannia Road. The land had been originally purchased for 3 pounds in 1838. Omagh had a cornerstone for their brick building laid in 1909, its sanctuary exquisitely finished with Georgia Pine. The church community joined with Boston Presbyterian Church in the north of Milton in 1928 under the pastoral care of one minister. The two ‘sister ’churches since that time have together jointly shared all associated costs and responsibilities.
The much loved Reverend Rod Lewis who was a minister in Milton for several years during the 70s delivered
the sermon. He mentioned a parable of Jesus about a grain of wheat that falls to the ground, dies and changes to produce new life. The seed of Omagh has ceased to be. It fulfilled its calling for almost 200 years and now fresh energy will grow in its place.
At the close of the insightful service, that included spirited hymn singing from the vast congregation that filled the beautiful sanctuary, a lit candle was passed from an elder of Omagh Presbyterian Church to Pastor John Bouwers of Crosstowne Church. This was to signify the passing along of the church ministry to the new owners. In their turn, the Crosstowne congregation gifted to the people of Omagh, a commemorative photo of the two churches and some of their congregations: past and future.
The Congregation of Omagh Church will now join Boston Presbyterian Church in an area known as the Scotch Block, north of the 401. Boston Church dates from 1824 and was named after Rev. Thomas Boston, a pastor from Ettrick in Scotland. The programme for the final worship service at Omagh affirmed: ‘when we sit in our church, we remember that this church was a vital part of this area which was a farming community.
‘We should remember all the wonderful sermons we have heard, the Christmas concerts, the Good Friday pancake breakfasts, the bazaars, the bake sales, the valuable work done and the money raised….to continue the work of God and….to allow us to continue to worship here.
‘Although our numbers are few and the church is now closing, we should ensure the heritage of this church…. as best we can. This church and its members have been part of the history of this community for a long time.’
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