Studying at Coleraine?
HISTORY
OF GARVAGH FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Before the 1859 Revival, Garvagh had a strong history of Presbyterianism. Back as early as 1600, Lord Garvagh reluctantly gave a very confined site to the first Presbyterians in the town. This was reportedly to silence their open-air singing and preaching. The 'Seceders' also established a witness in the town and the present congregation in Main Street dates back to 1773.
The Secession Synod and the Synod of Ulster united in 1840 to form the General Assembly of the present Presbyterian Church in Ireland. It was around the time of the union between the Presbyterians that the 'Covenanters', or Reformed Presbyterians, came on the religious scene and established a congregation in Garvagh.
In 1881 a church was erected on the Kilrea Road for the proclamation of God's Word. For a number of years the work of God was sustained and souls were saved. By 1971 the congregation was greatly depleated and the building put up for sale. This was an opportunity for the Rev. John Wylie, the minister of Coleraine Free Presbyterian Church, who was pioneeing new works in the North West of the Province,
The building was purchased for the sum of £3,000. In March 1971, after some renovations ably carried out by the brethren from the Coleraine congregation, Dr. Ian Paisley declared the church open for the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In April 1971, Rev. Alan Cairns, the minister of the Cabra congregation in Ballymoney conducted the first gospel campaign. Souls were saved by God's grace and the nucleus of a Free Presbyterian congregation was formed. "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
The Lord contined to bless the witness of the church and in April 2001 under the leadership of Rev. Alan Lamont, the congregation moved into the new building on the Fort Road. Our present minister is Rev. Andrew Patterson who was installed in June 2002, and we can truly say "The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad."