James Alexander Lyons was born at Newry on 14^th June 1879, son of Rev A.S. Lyons.  Educated at Newry Academy, Queen’s College, Galway and Divinity Schools in Belfast and Glasgow, and was a graduate of the Royal University of Ireland.  A minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, he was ordained as minister of the Cullybackey Reformed Presbyterian Church on 9^th January 1906.  He was married on 5^th June 1907 to Agnes Anne McKay from Cookstown.