Who We Are

Billy & Derrykeighan is a grouped parish, sharing a Rector and a Rectory, but otherwise financially independent, with their own Select Vestries. The parishes are part of the Church of Ireland in the Rural Deanery of Coleraine, in the Archdeaconry of Dalriada, in the Diocese of Connor.

The Select Vestry is elected every year around Easter time to deal with furniture, fabric and finance and the resourcing of ministry in the parish.

Office Bearers

Churchwardens, greet the congregation every Sunday and give out prayer and hymn books and look after the collection.

Glebewardens look after the buildings and property.

Synods people and Parochial Nominators are elected every 3 years to represent the parishes at Diocesan Synod and to help appoint a new Rector if a vacancy occurs.

We are blessed in the time and talents of our volunteers, be it as Treasurers, Secretaries, Sextons, Groundsmen, Sunday School teachers, lesson readers, flower arrangers, brewers of tea and conveyors of coffee.

On a Sunday we have a team of parish readers who are licensed to assist the Rector in leading worship. The Parish Panel, with the Rector, deal with any safeguarding matters.

Contact Us

Rev'd J R Anderson BD,MPhil

The Reverend John Anderson, BD, MPhil, has been Rector of Billy & Derrykeighan since 9^th June 2005. Prior to this, he was curate assistant in Magherafelt, Armagh Diocese from June 1998 – September 2002 and then Ballymena, Connor Diocese September 2002 – June 2005.

Prior to ordination, he studied at Queen’s University, Belfast, then proceeded onto Trinity College, Dublin and the Church of Ireland Theological College.

Since being in the Grouped Parish, he has overseen major restoration work to both churches, and also the modernisation of Billy hall. The construction of a new Rectory in Dervock was undertaken when he came to the parishes and the Rectory family have lived there since September 2010.

Church is his hobby, as well as his vocation. You may never be able to track him down during the week, but you will always be able to have a word on a Sunday morning!

Visitors to the Rectory, must be willing to play football with Rusty, the Rectory Jack Russell, who loves to be the centre of attention – but be assured of a warm welcome.