Year 14 History students, Christopher Boylan, Christopher McGuinness and Niamh Boylan, pictured with Rev Hutton and Head of History Mr Emmett McCaffrey

As part of their A Level History course, Year 14 students welcomed the Rev Norman Hutton to the school for a discussion on the history of Presbyterianism in Ulster. Rev Hutton is the minister of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church on Hill Street in Newry.

The discussion covered the founding of the first Presbytery in Carrickfergus in 1642. It was also interesting to hear about the long running dispute between Henry Montgomery and Henry Cooke concerning attitudes towards the Westminster Confession of Faith in the 1830s. Our discussion also covered Presbyterian relations with the Church of Ireland in the 19^th century.

The discussion ended with a general chat on the Non Subscribing Presbyterian Church, focusing on issues such the decline in church attendance, relations with the Free Presbyterian church and the complexities of life of being a Minister in the Church.

We would like to thank the Rev Hutton for taking the time to visiting St Pauls and for an enjoyable and informative talk.