Inside Views of Hillsborough Parish Church Co Down

On Easter Monday we finally had the opportunity to see inside the beautiful historic church that lies at the start of Hillsborough's main street. This is Hillsborough Parish church that sits at the top of a long avenue of trees.

HISTORY - The Church
'The present building stands on or near the site of a Church, which was erected by Peter Hill in 1636 and destroyed by fire in the Rebellion of 1641. In 1662 Arthur Hill built again, under the guidance of Bishop Jeremy Taylor, who was a close personal friend. This structure was enlarged and beautified at enormous cost by Wills Hill, Earl of Hillsborough and First Marquis of Downshire, in whose lifetime the family reached the zenith of its wealth and greatness. The opening service was held on 22nd August 1773. The old dedication to St. Malachi was retained. To-day the peculiar interest of the building lies in the fact that it is one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture, unspoiled by later renovation, in existence. The visitor will note: THE MASSIVE TOWER, housing a ring of eight bells, cast by Rudhall of Gloucester in 1772, and an electrically operated carillon. The graceful spire rises to a height of 210 feet from the ground, and, when floodlit, it can be seen from miles around. On the face of the tower two date stones with the Hill and Downshire arms, mark the episodes in the building's story.'
The inside of the church is full of fascinating chairs pews plaques memorials and panel. For further information on what is there to see, check out

http://lisburn.com/churches/Lisburn-c...
I am kicking myself that I missed the opportunity to film the Bird Bath and the Lych Gate.

THE BIRD BATH, which marks the burial-place of the ashes of Sir Hamilton Harty (1879-1941). It is the work of Rosamund Praeger.

THE LYCH GATE, erected by public subscription as a memorial to Henry Boyd (1857-1925), who was the local Dispensary Doctor for over forty years.