About
Members of First Derry congregation, acting as Blue Coat School Heritage guides, will meet and greet visitors on arrival and outline briefly how a Presbyterian presence in the City started to evolve with the continuing arrival of Scottish settlers during the Plantation of Londonderry in the early 17th century under the reigns of Elizabeth 1st.and James 1st.
During a personal guided tour visitors will learn about the challenges faced by the early Presbyterians ,the role which they played in the Siege of Derry in 1688/89 and the financial support provided by Queen Mary in recognition of their bravery in defending the City against the forces of King James 2nd. This financial support enabled Presbyterians build the First Presbyterian Meeting House in Londonderry inside the Walls in 1690.
Visitors will have an opportunity in the Church vestibule to observe commemorative tablets on the walls listing all the Ministers of First Derry from the establishment of the first congregation in 1672. There are also commemorative records of the members of the Congregation who served their country in the First and Second world wars together with the names of the 24 members of the Church who resigned from the Londonderry Corporation in 1704 rather than conform with the conditions of the Test Act. Under this Act holding Public Office was conditional upon taking the sacrament of the Lord's Supper according to the rites of the Anglican Church.
Visitors will then be invited to go inside the refurbished Church to observe the principal architectural and ornate features of the interior which include the pews first installed in 1780 ,the striking coffered pine ceiling, the newly laid tiled floor which matches the 1820 vestibule floor and the 14 outstanding stained glass windows. These include the spectacular stained glass windows behind the pulpit depicting St.Peter,St.Andrew,St.John and St.Paul. These windows were presented to First Derry Presbyterian Church by William Tillie in 1895/96 and constitute a unique backdrop to the pulpit in a Presbyterian Church. Presented at a time when major alterations to the Church were being carried out these stunning windows rhymed with local architect William Pinkerton's vision of ,"harmonising this old structure with the aesthetic and the beautiful."
Visitors will then proceed to the former Blue Coat School,established in 1773. Initially about 12 boys who sang in the choir were selected. They were supplied with boots, hats,yellow stockings and a blue coat.During the early part of the 19th century more than half the printers in Derry had been educated at the boys'school. Now fitted out as an interpretive centre with displays, exhibits and a video presentation visitors will have an opportunity to learn about the many challenges faced by the 17th century Presbyterian settlers and about the contribution they made to the social and economic life of the City and the North West region. However,aggrieved by restrictions and discriminations many families sought freedom and liberty through emigration. In 1718, 1000 migrants disembarked at Boston from 10 ships which had departed from Derry and Coleraine. Over the years these Ulster Scots provided leadership in the U.S.A. as politicians, soldiers,business people, inventors or clergy. Seventeen out of forty four Presidents of the U.S.A. could claim Scotch-Irish roots.
Finally,before leaving, visitors may wish also to visit the Covenanter's Garden between the Blue Coat School and the Church which describes the signing of the Solemn League and Covenant in 1644 in St.Columb's Cathedral. There is also a timeline wall running parallel to the Church which highlights some key dates between 1600 and 2011. Visitors may wish to peruse this as they exit the premises.
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