The church spire is a prominent landmark at the centre of the old town. The graveyard may be entered from Market Place or Lancasterian Street. Within the church itself, some Norman pillars survive, as do features from many of the architectural periods down the centuries. It therefore comes as a disappointment to find that relatively few gravestones predate  1800. The earliest memorials are inside the church. As this was the old parish graveyard it was used for interment by all religions. When the pressure of accommodating all the deceased became too great a new cemetery came into use on the North Road. As burials here are becoming progressively fewer, the proportion of twentieth century headstones is small and so all memorials were copied.

Vint In memory of William Vint who departed this life  25 Feb 1879  aged 69 years. Also his wife Sarah Hay who departed this life  18 Feb 1902  aged 82 years. Also their son Singleton who departed this life  28 Oct 1893  aged 36 years. Also their daughter Jane who departed this life  20 Sep 1928  aged 82 years. Also their daughter Mary died  01 Jul 1937. Elizabeth died  19 Mar 1944.

The burial place of John Vint J.P. His sons Hugh McMillan died  07 Apr 1903  aged 19 years, William died  05 Dec 1905  aged 23 years. Margaret, wife of John Vint, died  13 Oct 1926  aged 70 years. Also the above John Vint J.P. died  14 Sep 1933  aged 85 years. And their elder daughter Maud Edith Vint died  26 Feb 1965  aged 84 years.

The will of William Vint, late of Loughview, Carrickfergus, baker, general merchant and farmer, who died  25 Feb 1879  at same place, was proved at Belfast  02 Apr 1879  by the oaths of Joseph Hay Vint of Cavan, bank manager, and Thomas Vint of Loughview, mercantile clerk, two of the executors. Effects under £2,000.

The Vints were a family of shopkeepers. William began as a baker in Irish Quarter but moved to West Street. They expanded into other goods and traded under the name of William Vint and Sons. Thomas was the first chairman after Carrickfergus became an Urban District in  1899. See Belfast and Ulster Directories; McCrum ed. of McSkimin: History and Antiquities of Carrickfergus ( 1909 ), pp. 129, 132, 519.]

Vint In memory of Sara, beloved wife of Thomas Vint, born  21 Jun 1849 , died  25 Jan 1919. Their infant son who died  14 Jul 1890  and daughter Lilian Winifred Irene, Baba, born  21 Nov 1892 , died  01 Dec 1895. Rebecca Margaret Bain, sister of above Sara Vint and daughter of the late Rev. Jas. Bain of Straid, born  16 Jan 1844 , died  28 Aug 1918. Also Mary Waring Bain, born  16 Nov 1847 , died  15 Dec 1922. Also Margaret L. Vint, beloved wife of Robert Vint, died  21 Dec 1925. Also Thomas Vint J.P., husband of the above Sara Vint, born  11 Aug 1855 , died  01 Dec 1931. The above Robert Vint, born  28 Sep 1853 , died  20 Apr 1942.

 Carrickfergus Congregational Church

The modern congregation was formed early in the nineteenth century and worshipped in a chapel beside the Quay from  1821. The present church was built on the Albert Road ( 1878-1879 ) in the town and parish of Carrickfergus. It is a romanesque composition of heavy circles and verticals executed in red brick externally, pine and plaster internally.

Baptisms are recorded from  1819  and marriages from  1824. Memorial tablets and windows have been copied. The earliest is dated  1888  (Graham).

Vint In loving memory of William Vint, John Jack, James Herdman, Hugh Todd, for many years associated with this church deacons. Erected by representatives of their families,  20 Dec 1896.

Vint In dear remembrance of Thomas Vint J.P. ( 1855-1931 ), a member of this church for 57 years. Wise in counsel and generous beyond all telling. Given by his brother Robert Vint. And when the chief shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Clokey, Belfast.

Vint To the glory of God and in loving memory of Sarah, wife of Thomas Vint, died  25 Jan 1919  and their child Lilian Winifred Irene (Baba), died  01 Nov 1895. Also Margaret Livingstone, wife of Robert Vint, died  21 Dec 1925. "They shall reign for ever and ever." W. F. Clokey, Belfast.

 Vint Given by this Church in grateful memory of Thomas Vint, J.P. ( 1855-1931 ), church secretary for 43 years. "He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith."

(Further photographs in Congregational Church page - click here)