Enniskillen Presbyterian Church: Welcoming House of God with deep ties to town

Although the current home of the congregation was constructed in 1897, there have been previous buildings erected for the Enniskillen church family, including a building that was erected in 1700, and one erected in 1827.

Presbyterianism has been in Enniskillen for hundreds of years, with author Ada Malone, in ‘A History of the Scots Church’, estimating that local Presbyterians first met in a meeting house in the mid to late 1600s.

In the present day, Rev. David Cupples took The Impartial Reporter on a tour of the building and explained some of its unique features and the church’s place in Enniskillen history.

Presbyterian churches are known to many as ‘the meeting house’. Explaining the building and its function for the church, Rev. Cupples said: “Presbyterianism is not that interested in ornate buildings and decoration, and tends to be a bit more functional [than other faiths], but things given in memory of people is much more common [within Presbyterianism].”

The church has some unique features not seen in other churches on the island of Enniskillen town, such as the spectacular World War I memorial window behind the pulpit that draws the eye.

The window serves as a memorial to members of the Presbyterian church who died, were wounded, and served in The Great War.

The stained-glass window features the names of all those involved from the church, poppies, and the symbol of the Inniskilling regiments around the edge.

The centrepiece is a reproduction of the 1916 oil painting, ‘The White Comrade’, that was painted by George Hillyard Swinstead.

Bible verses on the window include Matthew 28:20, “Lo I am with you always”; and John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”.

The window was installed in June, 1921, with the dedication attended by Sir James Craig.

The entrance wall stained-glass window features four large windows with different sections. From left to right, the first panel commemorates The Solemn League and Covenant of 1638.

The second section features the Irish Presbyterian symbol of The Burning Bush, and a Latin phrase, “Ardens sed Virens”, which translates as “Burning but Living” – the motto of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

The third section features an open Bible with the quote, “The word of the Lord endured forever”, from Isiah Chapter 40:8.

Finally, the fourth section shows a candlestick surrounded by seven golden stars, and the latin phrase, “Lux lucet in tenebris”, which translates as “The light shines in the darkness”.

The window is dedicated to the memory of Rev. Josiah Christopher Gamble.

Like the town itself, Enniskillen Presbyterian Church was deeply affected by the Enniskillen Bomb on November 8, 1987.

Six members of the church’s congregation were killed by the IRA-planted bomb: Ted Armstrong, Kit and Jessie Johnston, Johnny Megaw, and William and Nessie Mullan.

The memory of the six is now permanently captured in a stained-glass window set within the church that has a slightly modern aspect, but carries a timeless message.

The design is most striking and shows Christ surrounded by the saints; the background is formed by the Tree of Life, and the River of Life.

A lion lying down with a lamb at Christ’s feet symbolises the peace of God’s Kingdom, as seen in Isiah 11:6-9, while red poppies symbolise Remembrance Sunday.

The window was installed in the church on Easter Sunday, 1989.

Features of note

Other features of note include the church organ, dedicated to the memory of those who died in World War II, which was installed in 1952.

During 2013 renovations, it was upgraded and became an electric organ, but the façade remains the same.

There are many fabric banners, including one in the porch, which were expertly crafted in Northern Ireland, many of which are dedicated to the memory of parishioners, injecting some colour into the church, including the 2013 extension and the Bridge centre.

One banner is part of a quartet which were given to each of the four Enniskillen island churches, all created to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Historically, the church and its figures have had a wide impact on local society, such as that by Minister Rev A. J. Jenkins, alongside Copeland Trimble, who campaigned for girls to have a grammar school education similar to the Portora boys, a result of which saw the establishment of the Royal School (later the Enniskillen Collegiate).

Today, the church’s mission continues to extend beyond its walls to support the wider community, as seen by the many groups it organises and supports, including a mother and toddler group, a men’s group, and the popular Church Mouse shop.

It’s clear that the church continues to engage very well with the community, with Rev. Cupples also taking a philosophical but pragmatic view of some of the challenges the church is currently facing, at present, alongside many faiths.

He said: “Our congregation has been around since 1676, and I am thankful for the past but my attention and effort is focused on the present and the future – this is not 1676, but 2021.

“The world has changed profoundly, and is changing rapidly. The surrounding culture is no longer Christian, and it is not neutral, either.

“For at least 50 years, Western culture has taught people how to live without God. The historic churches have seen a mass exodus.

“I still believe, however, that Jesus and his Gospel are the answer to all our questions, and that if local churches could but demonstrate to the world the kind of new life and relationships Jesus can bring, that many currently disenchanted, disaffected and sceptical people would be prepared to re-consider Christianity.

“That’s the challenge for the Church at the start of the 21st Century,” he added.