My grandfather, the Rev. Samuel Law Montgomery, who became rector of Moville in 1812, built the St. Columb's School-house in 1821, when Moville itself did not contain more than 50 people, but, of course, there were farms all around. In 1832, the eastern classroom was added; the other room is quite modern.

The school was the pet child of my two aunts, Charlotte and Mary Montgomery, daughters of the rector, born respectively in 1806 and 1811, living for 60 years at St. Columb's, first when it was a beautiful cottage and afterwards when it became what it is to- day in the 'sixties. They gave their best to the "Female School," as it was called, they probably taught Scripture in it daily, and several Catechisms compiled by their brother, Sam. They concentrated also on needlework, nor do I suppose there could have been found anywhere in those days a school of a higher tone. It was like a family, watched over by two maiden ladies for 60 years, the joy of their lives.

As Moville grew, a "mixed school" was built in the Malin-road, on the site of the present masters house. All denominations used it. The last two masters were Messrs. Lowry and Willman. In 1850, a Roman Catholic school was started in River Row. In 1863, the Convent was built, with schools for both boys and girls, and the River Row School ceased to exist. In 1890 the Roman Catholic School in Ballynelly-lane was started, the Presbyterian School having already been opened in 1886.

And now, with bated breath, I allude to a tragic episode in connection with the St. Columb's School, all the more tragic because it was occasioned by the action, tactless and premature, of one of the ablest and most devoted rectors the parish of Lower Moville had known. Also, it brings into notice two of the most remarkable women I have known.

Imagine the occasion. For 60 years the "Ladies", as they were always called, had exclusively managed the school from the first, grown up with it, had appointed the teacher, and were themselves, first, the daughters, then sisters, of the landlord. On the other hand, there could be no question that the parish school ought to be in the hands of the rector, who had his own educational difficulties to face. He, however, had no status in the school. Other rectors before him had smiled, and might have said, in company with a very wise ecclesiastic, "There are some things only time or death can mend." The "ladies" were old; they could not live many years.

However, the rector, strong in his legal position, demanded entrance and power. As I have read the correspondence I have learnt, as one had often learnt before, how tragic it is to do the right thing in the wrong way. It was a kind of drawn battle. Let me now tell of those two ladies, magnificent specimens of the old-fashioned gentlewoman; they dressed alike always, they lived for Moville and its interests they were beloved (and obeyed!) by all members of the family.

On their part, they believed that in all the world there never had been so wonderful a family as the special branch of Montgomerys to which they belonged. They were of the regular North of Ireland type, fervently religious, and, perhaps, not gifted with a deep sense of humour, but worthy of all the honour that Moville could give them. Any dishonourable or mean action drove them from such persons forever. Their politics were what might have been expected. The mention of the name of Gladstone gave them a headache! I suppose you would call them "bad haters" as well as the most devoted of friends.

It was an obsession with them also that Moville and its green should be kept tidy. I think my uncle, the Rev. Sam Montgomery, annually whitewashed all possible walls in the town at his own expense. The "ladies" at St. Columb's kept an eye especially upon the Bath Green. They had a telescope with which they scanned the gorse and the whole field. Students of David Copperfield will remember how Betsy Trotwood kept an eye on the grass in front of her house. At any hour of the day she would cry, "Fanny, donkeys!" and Betsy flew, to drive away the beasts. The "ladies" at St. Columb's felt the same about "clothes" spread out to dry! I can imagine them exclaiming, "Catherine, clothes!" with a like result. And who could have the heart to protest?

The "ladies," if they had one favourite in the family, it was their brother Robert. His coming in July to Newpark meant the sun rising; his departure almost darkness. They sleep now, all of them, in the same vault in St. Augustine's Churchyard, and no two members of our family have ever won from us who knew them warmer affection or a truer veneration for their noble and beautiful qualities.

On February 28 there passed away an old and honoured friend of mine, Mr. F. Mercer, of Cooley, at the age of 88, who had supplied me with a large art of the facts set down in this history. Peace be to his soul.

ST. COLUMB'S CHURCH

There are details connected with the building of this church which cannot fail to interest And I may as well state that all the documents and correspondence connected with its erection have been consequently placed by me in the custody of the Diocesan Office in Derry for inspection they are all indexed and annotated, and at the same time I have requested that they should never be taken out of the office.

In 1851, my uncle, the Rev. Samuel Montgomery and his sisters, Charlotte and Mary, determined that the time had come to build a church in Moville, the Parish Church being at Greencastle. When Greencastle Church was built in 1783 by Lord Bristol, Bishop of Deny, Moville did not exist. But the brother and sisters were met by many unexpected difficulties. There was no difficulty about the site. This was given at once in the Lime Field. There was no house then in it called "Lime Field."

The first step to be taken was to get the two rectors of Upper and Lower Moville to agree. These were respectively the Rev. Molesworth Staples and the Rev. Charles Galwey. Both were averse at first. Each thought their existing churches would suffer, one at Redcastle, the other at Greencastle. Mr. Staples urged that if a church were built at all it should be erected near Moon's bridge, three miles in the direction of Gleneely. Mr. Galwey was so jealous of the interests of Greencastle Church that he stipulated for a clause in the trust deed of the new church to the effect that never should any service be held in it save on Sunday afternoons!

My uncle was so angry at this that he threatened to withdraw his own contribution of £500, and to return the money he had collected from others, amounting, with his own gift, to £1,000. He appealed to the Bishop, and Mr. Galwey withdrew his suggestion. At first, my uncle wished for the formation of a new parish for Moville, distinct from Greencastle and Redcastle, but Mr. Galwey would not hear of this.

I ought to tell, however, of the prospectus issued in those early years, setting forth the urgent need of a church in Moville. The picture of the church in it shows a square tower, not a spire. But it is the letterpress, which does not use complimentary language about the people of Moville. It was drawn up, no doubt, in order to attract money from outsiders. I wonder what the Moville people thought when they were set down as wicked and given to all sorts of bad practices!

There was, however, a very good reason for the church. Ever since 1830, regular Sunday services were held in St. Columb's Schoolhouse by the rectors, and in summer, there was not sufficient accommodation for the worshippers. In 1853, Mr. Galwey resigned the parish, and the Rev. Charles Seymour took his place and heartily supported my uncle's project But the next proposal was so amazing that it would appear incredible were it not for documentary evidence which leaves no doubt about the fact.

It was actually proposed to ask Church people, I think certain Presbyterians were also asked, such as Mr. Wm. Haslett, whether the Greencastle Church should or should not be taken down and re-erected on the new site in Moville. The vote was actually taken and the numbers given. For removal, 355; against, 239 - majority for removal, 116. Nothing came of it.

But to proceed. The Irish Ecclesiastical Commissioners approved of plans drawn up by Mr. Welland, their own architect. My uncle had given £500 and collected another £500 from private friends. The church, without the spire and tower, was to cost £1,440. In the end, it cost £1,628. The builder was Mr. Henry, who also built the present Redcastle Church almost at the same time. But the Commissioners would not move until my uncle had given his personal guarantee for the whole sum. In the end, the Montgomerys and their friends in India and England provided all the funds, with the exception of £100, which was given by the parish.

The church was consecrated on April 16th, 1858, by Dr. Higgin, Bishop of Derry. The tower and spire were added in 1865, and cost about £400. I never look at the church without confession that it was a marvel of cheapness, and at the same time it would be impossible to improve the workmanship put into it.

I may also add that the grounds were laid out by an expert, and were kept in beautiful order by my two aunts for thirty years, at their own charges. In 1868 the present font was installed, the organ came in 1876. In 1884, owing to the exertions of the Rev. Canon and Mrs. Stack, the church was beautified by all the marble in the chancel, by the pulpit and reredos, in memory of the Rev. Charles Seymour.

THE BATH GREENS

This open space beside the lough, so valuable for recreation, was once partly the Newpark demesne and partly a farm.