ST. MARK 'S CHURCH. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. METHODIST AND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES. CHRISTIANS.

NE of the commanding heights on the eastern side of the city is occupied by the Church of St. Mark. The architecture is in the later English style, emphasized by a battlemented pinnacled roof, resting on buttressed walls, and relieved by a pinnacled tower of good height, bearing date 1811. The interior of the church is spacious, the seating capacity being increased by galleries on three sides. A new chancel, very chaste in design, has four pointed freestone arches, supported on massive freestone pillars, with handsomely-carved capitals. A fine organ is one of the attractive features of the chancel. Among the others are three stained windows, erected by the parishioners to the memory of the Rev. John Young Rutledge, D.D., seven years rector of Armagh, died in 1872, aged forty-eight. Mural tablets in various parts of the church commemorate Rev. Robert Miller, A.M , died 1840; Wm. Lodge Kidd, M.D., 1851 ; Chas. Smyth Cardwell, 1859; Robert Riddall, J.P., 1873 ; Rev. Rt. Hay, A.M., 1847; Arthur Irwin Kelly, sovereign of Armagh, 1841 ; Mary Helen Chomley, daughter of Rev. C. R. Elrington, 1884 ; John Stanley, 1846 ; Rev. Wm. Ball, LL.B., 1821 ; Meredith, Armstrong, 1868. The Very Rev. George A. Chadwick, D.D., Dean, is rector of St. Mark 's.

95
There are three Presbyterian churches in Armagh. Two are on the Mall and one in Abbey Street. The finest of the number, architecturally, fills a large space at the corner of Russell Street and the Mall; and although it is in the "low ground," its graceful spire of chiselled limestone rises to such a height as to impress itself in views of the city from many points. The walls are constructed of limestone "shoddies" from the neighbouring quarries, faced with Dungannon freestone. Richly- sculptured doorways, a pinnacled roof, a broad flight of stone steps, and an ornate delicately-hammered iron railing, are among the attractive external features. The interior is fitted throughout in pitch pine:. seatings, three galleries, roof, and reading-desk. Messrs. Young & Mackenzie, Belfast, were the architects. The church was finished in April, 1879, and cost between £10000 and ; £11000 Rev. Jackson Smyth, D.D., is the minister.
"Second Armagh" is situated in Abbey Street. It bears date 1722, and was built with material from the ruins of the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul. The front is partly castellated, and faces the backs of the houses on the left side of the street. Interest in the church is enhanced by the seclusion. It was remodelled in 1880. The seatings, wainscotings, and pulpit are in pitch pine, and the ceiling groined. The Rev. Silas E. Wilson, is minister.
The third Presbyterian church is situated on the Mall, between College Street and Russell Street. It has a handsome gable front, strengthened by engaged columns, with Ionic capitals. The interior is chaste, the seatings being in pitch pine, partly in Cathedral style. One gallery suffices for the requirements of the congregation. It is supported on decorated iron pillars. All the fittings are in strict keeping. The pulpit is surrounded by mahogany uprights bearing a single mahogany rail. A narrow gallery for the choir, raised above the level of the pulpit, has a perforated pitch pine front. The date of the church is 1837. A tablet in the vestibule was erected to the memory of the Rev. John Richard McAlester, D.D., who died in 1871, aged 55 years. The present minister of the church is the Rev. John Elliott.
Wesleyan Methodism received an impetus in Armagh through the personal influence of John Wesley. It is recorded that he frequently preached in Abbey Street in 1767. The first church was built in 1786. The present church in Abbey Street was remodelled this year, 1888. A new gable, in the Grecian style of architecture, was substituted for one which bore date 1835.

97
An increase of twelve feet was made in the main structure, and the interior fitted in pitch pine. A new pulpit also of pitch pine, and a handsome railing, hammered iron, fronting the gallery, are among the improvements. Mr. J. J. Phillips, Belfast, was the Architect, and the contract for the work, amounting to over £800, was carried out by Messrs. Thomas Collen & Son, Armagh. The only mural tablet commemorates John Noble, of the City of Armagh, who for half a century performed the duties of a local preacher " with unswerving fidelity."
The Congregational body, after a period of over 90 years, consists of only about 26 members. The church in College Street, is in a good state of repair, and free from debt. It has a gallery on three sides, and a total seating capacity of over 300. Until May, 1887, the Society in London helped to sustain the expenses. Not feeling disposed to continue the stipend any longer, the last minister, Rev. R. H. Smith, was obliged to leave. There is no immediate prospect of a successor being appointed.
A denomination known as Christians, has a meeting-place in Russell Street, next door to the Post Office. It has had an organization in Armagh for about 20 years. At present there are over 5o members. The following paragraph, kindly given by one of the number, is suggestive :
"Christians meet in the name of the Lord, on Lord 's Day at 11.45, for breaking bread, reading of the Scriptures at 3.30, Sunday School at 5.30, and occasionally for preaching the Gospel at 8 o 'clock."