Rev. Ivan Foster recounts the history of the founding of the Free Presbyterian Church in Lisbellaw 59 years ago. Rev. Foster was the first minister of what was then the Free Presbyterian Church in Co. Fermanagh.

59th anniversary of the Constitution of Lisbellaw Free Presbyterian Church  (26th March 1967 by Rev Alan Cairns)

“‭The LORD‭ hath done‭‭ great things‭‭ for us; ‭whereof‭ we are glad‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Psalms 126:3.

1. Prison Protest Rally in Lisnaskea - around September 1966. Rev Alan Cairns said it was the most lively rally of the many he had taken part in.

2. December ’66, Went with Dr P to meet my Uncle William Foster to view the shop and store that was for sale in Lisbellaw. Bought for £800 with funds raised by ladies of Ravenhill congregation. One lady said she would give £1 for every other £1 given. Plague in Bethel porch to honour their generosity.

3. January ’67 - Rev James McClelland and I wired the premises. Stayed with my Uncle William Foster.

4. Saturday 11th February - First meetings 3.30pm & 8.00 pm. Dr Paisley and John Wylie preached in the afternoon and William Beattie and me at night.

5. 12th February - 3.30 pm-first gospel mission meeting. In the week that followed Dr P spoke at some of the nights and also John Wylie spoke once and I filled in for the rest of the two weeks.

6. Lord’s Day, March 26th - Rev Alan Cairns preached at the constitution. Two services on the Lord’s began the next week. There had been a prayer meeting on a Tuesday already. I was placed by Presbytery in charge of Lisbellaw..

7. The work grew and meetings were soon packed out. There were many should professed faith in Christ. Two of whom are visiting with us tonight.

8. February ’68. Opposition was suddenly mounted against me becoming the ordained minister by those who wanted to see a former Free Presbyterians minister installed. He applied to be reinstated but was rejected by Presbytery. The foolish ruse was plain to be seen.

9. On Saturday, April 20th, I was installed. It took three congregational meetings to settle the sad dispute. I had 8 people at the first Sabbath morning meeting as the minister. That very soon changed and the hall was quickly refilled.

10. From those small beginnings other works sprang forth.

1970 - Gospel mission in Clogher Valley.

1971 - Gospel mission in Coragarry, Co. Monaghan.

1972 - new church building opened in Enniskillen.

1974 - new Gospel hall opened in Kilskeery. Constituted as a Free Presbyterian Church in 1977.

1975 - Gospel meetings in New TownSquare, Pennsylvania, US from which a Free Presbyterian Church was organised and later moved to Malvern, Penn.

1976 - Gospel mission in Kesh leading to a Free Presbyterian Church formed there a little later.

1978 - installed as minister of kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church