St Mary's Parish Church, Kilmood
Although St Mary’s Church, Kilmood, was opened for worship in 1822 and celebrates its bicentenary this year. 2022, the church was erected on a site long associated with Christian worship, going back perhaps to the era of St Patrick.
The building of the church was financed by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners who contributed £900; Lord Dufferin, who gave the bell; and the local squire, David Gordon of Florida Manor, who paid the remainder of the £2,215 bill.
Kilmood was effectively an estate church. Florida Manor was established in 1638 on lands previously acquired by Sir James Montgomery (second son of Sir Hugh Montgomery) from Con O’Neill. The name Florida apparently was derived from Sir James’s love of flora rather than the American state or, more accurately, its precursor.
Source: Belfast Newsletter
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