On the menu to the left you can read our mission statement and learn what we believe. The purpose of this page is to give you an idea of our history.
We are a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland or Eaglais Phreispitéireach in Éirinn www.presbyterianireland.org. We have no links whatsoever with the Free Presbyterian Church led by Rev Ian Paisley which is an entirely separate, and much smaller body.
The Presbyterian Church has been established in Ireland since 1642. It currently operates on an all-Ireland basis. The congregation in Kilkenny dates from 1838 and was served by the following ministers:1. Joshua Collins - 1841-1847
2. James Porter - 1848-1877
3. David Mitchell - 1877-1879
4. William Cooke - 1880- 1887 (Died in charge, buried in the graveyard of St. Canice's Church of Ireland Cathedral in Kilkenny).
5. John Morton - 1887-1895
6. John Brennan - 1895 - 1922
7. Robert Wilson - 1922-1931 (Died in charge).
The congregation had no minister of its own until it was joined with Waterford in 1937 and served the following ministers from there
8. Owen Jones Griffith - 1937-1944
9. Stanley Logue - 1950-1953
10. Brian Graeme-Cook - 1953-1961
11. Samuel Stevenson - 1961-1967
12. Samuel Watt - 1967-1974
13. Girvan McKay - 1977-1983
By this stage the congregation in Kilkenny had dwindled considerably. It was suggested that it should unite with the local Methodist church. The congregation however were determined retain their identity and to see the church grow.
14. John Woodside - 1984-2002.
With the support of the Home Mission a new manse was purchased and a new ministry began with John Woodside, joined the next year by Billy Patterson (1985-2004) of the Irish Mission. During this time God richly blessed the congregation leading many to a saving knowledge of his Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
This remarkable growth led to the congregation out-growing its old building on the Ormond Road. In June 1992 their new premises was opened on the New Road, where today they continue to worship and share the good news of Christ.
15. David Moore- 2003-present