Killesher Parish takes its name from Killesher townland which lies on the western side of Claddagh Glen.  The oldest church known in the parish was built there.  One of the earliest mentions of ‘Killesher’ is in the ‘Book of Survey and Distribution’ for Fermanagh in 1636.  On 24 February 1987 the Irish Times newspaper reproduced a map and article about Killesher parish which had first been produced and printed in 1685. 

 

Many townland names, although spelt differently, are recognisable; e.g. Mullaghbah, Gortatowll, Clihanagh, Cullentragh, Killagher, Gortere, Gurtin, Tullihona, Gortgullinan, Lisderry, Lisblahest, Crogherum, Dromlaghin, Tatemony, Clotymoylan, Druduff, and Lisdevarik.  In various old records Killesher has been recorded as Killagher, Killasher and Killaher.  The name is also perpetuated in St Lasser’s Well and St Lasser’s Cell which is still evident today at Cladagh Glen.  Legend has it that the first church was built in Killesher townland by the said St Lasser, a woman, who worked only at night, so no one saw her.  The ruins of an old stone built church, most likely a later edition, has a graveyard which is still in limited use.  

 

During the late 17  and early 18th Centuries there was a Chapel-of-Ease at Lisdivrick.  No visible signs of this exist but it is recorded that the stones were taken by a Mr Thomas Carr to build a house in Lisgally.  In 1780 a new church was built in the neighbouring townland of Tullyhona.  This may have been a wood and thatch structure and folk memory has it that it burned down.  This building had followed the traditional east – west layout.

 

A new Chapel-of-Ease was built in Druminiskill and consecrated in 1863.

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Fires

An enlarged church, designed by Ian Derick, was built (including the present tower and spire) between 1819 and 1825.   This was aided by a loan of £600 from the Board of First Friuts.  Even though extensive repairs and improvements were made in 1837 the church was described as being ‘small’.  The main church layout was not north – south; probably because of the additional accommodation provided. 

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In 1979 the church was almost completely destroyed in an accidental fire.  All that remained was the porch, tower and spire block.  The church was rebuilt and reopened in 1982.   It was designed to be more comfortable and user friendly.  Some recent developments include - a camera to record the service and also to relay to the Annex when necessary; a new sound system; powerpoint used for services; an extension to the grave yard and a new parking area created at the side of the main road.

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Plaque

There is an interesting plaque on the wall (right side between the windows) which details all the donations which were made when the church was being built in 1883.   There are also other plaques of interest throughout the church.

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The windows in St John’s Church

• Parable of the Sower (1982) Chancel - Presented by Jack Wallace in memory of parents John and Mary Jane.

• Christ as Good Shephard (1982) Chancel - Presented by Violet and Maisie Nixon in memory of Henry and Eileen Nixon.

• Light of the World (1982) Transept - Presented by Albert Graham in memory of Hilary Graham.

• Nativity Transept (1982) Transept - Presented by Wilson and Florrie Elliott in memory of Alexander and Edith Elliott as well as Thomas and Kathleen Arthurs.

• Baptism of Christ (1982) Transept - Presented by The Fermanagh Society, Belfast

• Emblems of the Evangelists (1982) East - Presented by the Parish

• Ascension (1982) Nave - Presented by Canon H.I.K. Anderson in memory of wife Dorothy Mary Anderson.

• St John’s Gospel and Revelations of St John (1985) Nave - Presented by RUC Comrades in memory of Sgt Malcolm Alexander White.

• Parable of The Good Shepherd (1985) Nave - Presented by Family and Parishioners in Memory of Canon Henry I.K. Anderson, MA.

• Interpretation of Pharaoh’s Dreams (2012) Sanctury - Presented by David and Geoffrey Armastrong in memory of the Wilson Family Drumogill.

 

Cole’s Monument in Forthill Park in Enniskillen was built by the people of the town in memory of Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole GCB in 1845. It took 12 years to complete. He was one of Wellington’s generals and spent most of his military career in Africa.  Ten years before his death in 1842, aged 71, he wrote to his older brother, the second Earl, that he wished to come home because:  

 

‘I am tired of being a Governor and shall be too happy to descend to the humbler walks of life.  All I wish at present is to give my children a good education and principles before I die’.

 

The present 7th Earl is following the family tradition by living in Kenya.

 

Buried in the same area is Mr Herbert Moisley who worked for the 5th Earl of Enniskillen in various positions such as Head Gardner and Valet but who ended his career as Head of Staff.  He was so highly thought of that he was given the great honour of being laid to rest in the Cole family plot.  The inscription reads ‘The faithful friend and companion of the 5th Lord Enniskillen over a period of 61 years’.

 

Other Graves of Interest

The Revd William Richey Bailey is buried in the area behind the church.  He was rector from 1886–1888.  In that short time he handmade the original pulpit and prayer desk (sadly destroyed in the fire) and he also made the chair which now sits in the transept.  See the plaques on the chair and the wall.

 

William Willis (1837 – 1894) was a medical officer on a British ship during the Boshin War.  Japan closed the country to foreigners for about 200 years.  He founded the Tokyo Medical School which later became the Faculty of Medicine in Tokyo Imperial University.  His grave can be found in the area behind the church. 

 

Vaults
Until recently there were two vaults in the graveyard.  Unfortunately, in 2010, the vault belonging to the Hicks family was found to be in danger of collapse and later had to be demolished.  The remains were reinterred on the site. Only part of a wall remains and the original door has been used as the headstone.  

The Teele family vault still remains but has not been used for many years.  Latterly, Teele family members were buried in a plot on the right hand side of the avenue.

 

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Connections with Florencecourt Estate

The Earls of Enniskillen
Five of the Earls of Enniskillen, who are all descended from King Edward 1, are buried in the hedged area directly opposite the main church door.  William Cole, 1st Viscount of Enniskillen, was created Earl of Enniskillen in 1789.  He inherited the title of Baron Mount Florence from his father in 1760.   He married the sister of the Earl of Belmore, thus the Lowry Corry family of Castle Coole and the Cole family of Florence Court became joined.  Legend has it that he named the house ‘Florence Court’ after his new wife.

 

The land for the church was donated by the Earl of Enniskillen.  The Earl and Lady Enniskillen sometimes walked through the forest from Florence Court House to St John’s church; they also used a pony and trap and later, an automobile.   In 1955, two years after the house was acquired by the National Trust, a fire swept through Florence Court House and some of the parishioners, under the leadership of Mr Bertie Pierce and assisted by Mr Bowles and his colleagues, helped to save much of the house by boring holes in the ceilings to let water drain away, thus preventing the ceilings from collapsing.  Florence Court House has been called the ‘most beautiful house in Ireland’.

 

The original Irish Yew tree still stands in the Florencecourt estate.  This is one of only two plants found by a tenant, Mr Willis, in 1770 in the mountains behind Florence Court House.  He planted both trees but only this tree lived.  Cuttings from this tree have been sent all over the Europe and even as far as America.