Cumnock Congregational ChurchMatthew Sullivan
On 11th August 1955, the first ordination in the church building took place, when the Revd. Matthew Sullivan arrived from College and University in Nottingham. A Belfast man, he returned to his home city briefly to marry his fiancée, Ruth, on the 27th August 1955, before they both moved into the church manse in Cumnock where they remained for 43 years, raising their family (their daughter Ruth & son David) and ministering in the church, before retiring in 1998. Loved and respected by both the church and the wider community, the church thrived under Matthew Sullivan's leadership.
With a dedication to youth evangelism, he established a range of youth work within the Church including a thriving Sunday School, Bible Class, Youth Fellowship and Junior Church. Many young people sang with the Junior Choir and teams of youth served in the Seaside Missions that he ran at Ardrossan beach and later in the Woodroad Park in Cumnock. He regularly invited various young people's ministry teams, including from the USA, to work with the youth in the church and in the town. He served on committees to bring international evangelists to the area including Anton Schulte, Luis Palau and Billy Graham.
He established the 1st Cumnock BB Company in 1962 and as chaplain guided the leaders with the objective of "the advancement of Christ's Kingdom among boys". Hundreds of boys have enrolled with the Company throughout the years and it has no doubt made a profound impact on their lives.
In addition to his calling to the church, he also served as the R.E. teacher at Cumnock Academy and was the first port of call for many in the town who needed pastoral support. A deeply caring man, he ministered to the sick and bereaved with great compassion as well as celebrating marriages and births during his time in the church. Although no exact count has taken place, it is estimated that Revd. Sullivan conducted over 500 wedding ceremonies in the church during his ministry.
Mission was another key component of his work, with support to a small rural Christian hospital in Chickbalapur, India particularly close to his heart. He brought people together through music and organised fundraising concerts for the Ayrshire Hospice, whilst at the same time presenting the Gospel through the selection of the musical programmes such as 'God With Us' and 'My Utmost for His Highest.'
It was this dedication to serve others that saw him awarded the MBE in 1992 by Queen Elizabeth. He was also recognised by the local authority, gaining the "Freedom of Cumnock and Doon Valley". Later, Sullivan Way in Cumnock was named as a tribute to Revd. Sullivan.
Following his retirement from Cumnock Congregational Church in 1998, he continued serving in ministry, taking on temporary posts within the Church of Scotland including the Laigh Kirk, Kilmarnock and Crosshouse Church.
On 24th July 2008, after a short stay in the Ayrshire Hospice, Revd. Matthew Sullivan went home to be with the Lord. The memorial plaque within the church sanctuary sums up his ministry -