Ruth Patterson

Reverend Dr Ruth Patterson OBE is a parish minister, author, community worker, and Director of the Restoration Ministries. In 1976, she became the first woman to be ordained in Ireland. She obtained a BA in Social Studies at Queen’s University Belfast in 1966, before continuing her education at the University of Toronto, and University of Edinburgh where she graduated with an MA in Social Work and Community Development in 1968. From 1968 – 1971, she worked on the chaplaincy team at Queen’s University Belfast prior to being ordained. Since 1977, Reverend Dr Patterson has been a parish minister in Kilmakee Presbyterian Church in Dunmurry and, in 1991, became the Director of the Restoration Ministries, a non-denominational Christian organisation committed to peacebuilding and reconciliation. In 2000, she was the recipient of the University of Edinburgh’s annual ‘Alumnus of the Year Award’ that recognises and celebrates the achievements of its former students. For her services and devotion to reconciliation work in Northern Ireland, Reverend Dr Patterson was appointed OBE in 2003. In addition to her role as Director of the Restoration Ministries, she also holds the post of Ecumenical Canon in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast. Reverend Dr Patterson has written several books including A Farther Shore (2000), Journeying Towards Reconciliation: A Song for Ireland (2003), Proclaiming the Promise: Reflections on the God of Love (2006), and Looking Back to Tomorrow: A Spirituality For Between The Times (2011).

This archive was kindly donated by Reverend Dr Ruth Patterson and is comprised of newspaper clippings dating from 1973-1977 that document her admission as the first woman to the Assembly's College in Belfast, and her position as Assistant Minister at Gardenmore Church in Larne.