Historic Sixmilecross residence of famous preacher and poet demolished

A FORMER Presbyterian Manse which was once the home of a renowned Tyrone poet has been demolished.

The building, which was once home to poet and rector, W F Marshall, was demolished last week, having lain vacant since 2006.

Marshall was an Irish poet and Presbyterian minister from Sixmilecross, and as well as being a prolific writer and poet, he was a leading authority on Mid Ulster English (the predominant dialect of Ulster), and broadcast a series on the BBC entitled Ulster Speech.

People in the area expressed their dismay that the historic building was now gone, with one member of a local historical group describing it as "shocking and sad" and another describing it as "another milestone in history gone".

Local historian, William Anderson, outlined the rich history of the building, which was constructed in 1878.

"The Manse was built in 1878 on ground that was procured from the minister of the time, Rev Junk and a lease of 999 years was obtained from the Earl of Belmore of £1 10s," he said. "The architect was A.T. Jackson, Esq. Corn Market, Belfast.

"The Manse cost £812 to build of which the Sixmilecross congregation raised £439, £100 from the Presbyterian Manse fund, £70 from a special meeting in Belfast and the rest was raised with another appeal to local business with the result that when the building of the manse was completed, it was debt free.

"The first trustees of the manse were, John Johnston, James Forbes, Joseph Anderson, Robert Browne and R H Anderson."

Mr Anderson said that in 1916, the now famous W F Marshall became Presbyterian minister in the area.

"W F Marshall became the Presbyterian here in 1916 until 1928," he said. "He of course grew up in Sixmilecross as his father was the local head school teacher but what your readers may not know is that the Marshall's were Church of Ireland, W F was baptised and confirmed in Sixmilecross Church of Ireland.

"Why or when he decided to become a Presbyterian minister, I don't know."

Mr Anderson said that there have been ten occupants of the manse in total. These include Rev Thomas William Junk (1845-1895), Rev Samuel Dunn Stuart (1895-1916), Rev William Forbes Marshall (1916-1928), Rev Thomas Bole (1928-1930), Rev John Alexander Eakins (1931-1939), Rev William Arthur James Barbour (1939-1944), Rev Hugh Pattison (1944-1980), Rev William Frederick Dickey (1983-1992), Rev Dr James Alexander Matthews (1994-1997) and Rev James Leslie Casement (1998-2006).