Faughanvale Presbyterian Churchyard

Faughanvale Presbyterian Churchyard
It is believed that Saint Canice built a small church in the nearby Greysteel village during the 6th century. It is also believed that this is where the present church took its name.
During the early 17th century, the Grocers’ Company of the City of London was granted a manor of some 16,000 acre around townland of Muff by King James I.[1] A castle was built (it was really a manor house with four towers) and twelve houses and a defensive wall. The work was completed by 1622. The original Faughanvale Parish church was then also built, it was completed during 1626 (the ruins of this building still stand on this site today.) This was shared by both Scotch Presbyterian and English Puritan
Between 1641 and 1689 the “castle” was occupied several times by various armies and was finally left in partial ruin by Parliamentarians[2] and then troops of troops of King James II during the Siege of Derry.[3]
Due to confusement between this village of Muff and another one across the river Foyle in County Donegal, it was decided to change the name on the 19th of August 1858, to the village of Eglinton in honour of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
Faughanvale Presbyterian Church is located on Killylane Rd, Eglinton, about 8 miles from the city of Londonderry. Originally established as Muff and part of Glendermott Presbyterian in the city of Londonderry in 1696, this church was soon recognized as being sperate in 1731. The present church here was opened during August 1894.
This church had strong links with Royal Navy Air Station, Eglinton between 1943 and 1959. For a time, its church halls were used as sleeping accommodation for the naval personnel. A new hall was built here during 1975. There are 3 Commonwealth burials of the 1939-1945 war here. Two of them served in the Royal Air Force, the other was a soldier.

[1] King James I reigned England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1603 to 1625, previously King of Scotland as James VI from 1567.
[2] A supporter of Parliament in the English Civil War (1642-1651); a Roundhead, which was fought against King Charles I.
[3] Siege of Derry (1688-1689), a siege of a walled city located around 8 miles from Eglinton (Muff).