OBITUARY
F
ormer Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr David McGaughey, who died recently, has been described as a ‘mighty preacher of the gospel’ who lived a life of unselfish service to his God, his family and his friends. The comments were made by the minister of Tullyallen, where Dr McGaughey attended since his retirement. Speaking at the former Moderator’s service of thanksgiving, Rev Nigel Reid said, “I have no doubt that Dr McGaughey has left a powerful and humbling legacy.” Born in Armagh in 1938, Dr McGaughey attended The Mall Presbyterian Church with his family, and accepted Christ as his personal Saviour at the age of 10, following the death of his sister Nelly. Dr McGaughey’s early education was at the Armstrong Primary School and at Royal School Armagh. He felt led to Sandhurst Military Academy to become an officer in the army, but the Lord had other plans. Through the advice of his minister, Dr McGaughey prayerfully sought the Lord’s will for his life in the ordained ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. “On route to ministry, Dr McGaughey responded to his country’s call in a time of great need, enlisting in the Ulster Special Constabulary. Through a neardeath experience, the Lord confirmed his call to Dr McGaughey to become a student for the ordained ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Dr McGaughey went to Magee College in Londonderry,” explained Mr Reid. During his studies, Dr McGaughey met his wife Anne. They were married
Tribute to Very Rev Dr David McGaughey in Rasharkin Presbyterian Church in August 1965. “I can tell you that a marriage that lasted more than 50 years has been an amazing example to us all,” said Mr Reid. The couple had four children – Lynn, David, Hilary and Jane. Dr McGaughey served as assistant in Railway Street in Lisburn before becoming minister to the congregations of Castledawson and Curran in 1968.
He was a man of God – he never got into this pulpit unprepared – he examined the Scriptures and he examined his life. “Dr and Mrs McGaughey were very happy in Castledawson and Curran. And testimony of their hard work is still in evidence there today through the formation of the Girls’ Brigade and Boys’ Brigade and youth fellowship,” added the Tullyallen and Mountnorris minister. In 1973, Dr McGaughey moved to Mourne Presbyterian in Kilkeel, being installed on 6 September. He served there as minister until his retirement in 2003, and it is apt that this was the church chosen for his service of thanksgiving. Speaking at the service, current Mourne minister, Rev William Bingham, and one-time assistant to the former Moderator, said, “Dr McGaughey wasn’t made in Mourne but by God’s grace he has contributed immensely in making Mourne the church and community that it is today.” During his 30 years at Mourne, Dr McGaughey oversaw the expansion of
the congregation’s missionary vision by establishing a partnership at Livingstonia, Malawi, and the renovation of the church property to include a new youth centre. “Dr McGaughey was a shepherd who sincerely and genuinely cared for his people. I know of no other minister in the General Assembly who cared for his flock more…and Mourne isn’t a congregation of a few hundred, rather a few thousand.” Mr Bingham also said: “When Dr McGaughey ascended the steps of this pulpit there was what I could only describe as a ‘holy hush’ descended on the congregation.” He added that there was no divergence between what he preached and how he lived his life. “He was a man of God – he never got into this pulpit unprepared – he examined the Scriptures and he examined his life.” As well as ministering to the Mourne congregation for over 30 years, Dr McGaughey served the wider Church and was elected as Moderator in 1994. Commenting on Dr McGaughey’s death, the current Moderator, Dr David Bruce said, “His giftedness as a pastor and preacher were widely known and respected across the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and far beyond. “I wish to convey the sympathy of the General Assembly to his widow, Anne, and their children Lynn, David, Hilary, and Jane, and to the wider family circle. David’s colleagues, including the former Moderators of the General Assembly, join me in offering their condolences and the assurance of our prayers.”
Herald Spring 2021
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