Ben Lowry: Two funerals - that of Houston McKelvey and former lady mayoress of Belfast

It was sunny but stormy outside a packed Agherton church, Portstewart on Wednesday, during Houston McKelvey’s funeral.

(To read Ben Lowry’s main column about unionists having a successful visit to Washington DC, click here ‘As the US prepares for its 250th birthday, Gordon Lyons has put the focus on the Ulster Irish pioneers who helped build the early America’)

placeholder image — The hearse carrying the remains of the Very Rev RSJ Houston McKelvey OBE QVRM TD, former dean of Belfast, in Portstewart after leaving Agherton Parish church, where his funeral service was held on March 25 2026. Pic: Ben Lowry

As Billy Kennedy writes on page 9 of the print edition (click here to read it), Very Rev Dr McKelvey was a contributor to our ‘Thought for the Week’ column.

I spoke to him on the phone recently – he was one of those energetic 80 somethings who seem younger, and so his death was a shock.

Like our other contributors – Rev Norman Hamilton, Rev Jim Rea, Rev David McMillan, Rev Dr William Morton, recently also Rev Arthur Clarke – he was always interesting.

I met Houston 25 years ago, as a young reporter when he was dean, near my then newspaper.

I’ll miss him.

• Rev Rea officiated yesterday at the funeral of Greta Rodgers, former lady mayoress of Belfast, who has died aged 86, wife of the longstanding councillor and ex mayor Jim Rodgers.

Gavin Robinson MP, the DUP leader, Jon Burrows MLA, the Ulster Unionist Party leader and politicians including from Sinn Fein were present at the service at Mountpottinger Methodist Church.

• Ben Lowry (@Benlowry2) is News Letter editor