David retires from Organ Scholarship Board of Management after 30 years

Thursday July 3rd 2025

At a presentation to Canon David Humphries to mark his retirement from the Down & Dromore and Connor Organ Scholarship Board of Management are. From left: Mrs Hayley Howe, Board Member; the Ven Paul Dundas, Archdeacon of Dalriada; Canon Stephen Fielding, Chairperson; Canon David Humphries, outgoing Board Member; Dr Judith Harper and Mr Ian Bell, Board Member.

The Rev Canon David Humphries, former rector of Kilbride Parish, has retired from the Down & Dromore and Connor Organ Scholarship Board of Management having been a member for some 30 years.

David is a former Chairperson and Secretary of the Board. At a presentation held recently in St John’s, Malone, Board Chairperson, the Rev Canon Stephen Fielding, said how much the Board had benefited from David’s expertise, guidance and enthusiasm for the organ and organ playing over the years.

David is originally from Belfast. He attended Stranmillis College, and taught Music, RE and Remedial English at the Boys’ Model School, Belfast, for five years.

He trained for ministry in Dublin and was ordained in 1986. His first curacy was in Ballyholme, where he remained for four years until his appointment as Vicar Chorale at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast.

After three years at St Anne’s, David moved to St Molua’s, Stormont, where he was rector for 23 years. He was appointed as a Canon of St Anne’s Cathedral in 2012 and moved to Kilbride as rector in 2016.

Presentation to Canon David Humphries.

Prior to ordination, David was the organist in Christ Church, College Square North, Belfast, and in St Mary’s, Crumlin Road. He has continued to play over the years. “Wherever I was I was always able to play a bit,” he said.

The Down & Dromore and Connor Organ Scholarship scheme was established in 1990 when an anonymous benefactor, recognising the importance of the ministry of music in parish life and worship, provided a very generous endowment to train organists in these dioceses. A trust was set up and administered by Church of Ireland Trustees Board of Management.

David said many of those trained are young people who are good musicians wanting to learn, and also older people who found themselves presiding at the organ simply because they could play the piano.

“This is such a benefit to the Church,” he said. “The organ scholars benefit from three years training from experts free of charge, and there is always a big demand for organists.”

David said he had very much enjoyed his years on the Board of Management, adding that, until the presentation, he had not realised he had served for so many years!