Kilbride Presbyterian Church Co. Antrim - Stephenson Mausoleum

Kilbride Presbyterian Church is a group of ordinary believers who love Jesus. We believe that the kingdom grows through prayer-filled, worship-centred witness. Kilbride is a place of welcome for all who desire to know Jesus better and then by His spirit are equipped to spread his love with others to the glory of the Father.
Stephenson Mausoleum Kilbride Cemetery Moyra Road Doagh Co Antrim
Erected in 1837 (according to the iron door) to commemorate four Ulster medical men and members of their family. Samuel Martin Stephenson, who died in 1834, was 'Superintending Surgeon' in the Madras Presidency. Right hand tombstone to the back of the mausoleum is that of William Gault, schoolmaster of Doagh, who was a United Irishman and is believed to have started one of the earliest Sunday schools in Ireland in 1770. Rowan (local nineteenth century engineer) made the doors of the mausoleum and they carry his name (memorial HB21/02/002). Describing it as a 'miniature Taj Mahal in stone', Girvan believes it could have been the inspiration of one of the family who served in the Dragoons and saw the original on his travels (p 20). Brett in 'Buildings of County Antrim', quotes the OS memoirs, saying that the mausoleum was built at the expense of Dr Stephenson, at a cost of £300, and is constructed of Tardree stone. (p290). References: Secondary Sources 1. Newtownabbey Information. [Internet Source]. Available from: Accessed 27/10/08 2. Brett, C E B, Buildings of County Antrim, UAHS, 1996 3. Girvan, W. D. and Rowan, A. J. ‘Historic Buildings, Groups of Buildings, Areas of Architectural Importance in West Antrim’. Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1970