Church History

Methodism had come to the Trillick area by 1768.  Around that time Methodist Societies were formed at a number of places in and around Irvinestown.  In that year one of the Augher Circuit ministers, probably Rev John Smith, whilst on his way from Tonyloman to Londonderry, stopped at Magheralough, near Trillick.  He stayed at the home of Mr G Irvine who seems to have been the local Methodist leader. 

On 10 June 1771, the Methodist Society at Magheralough had a visit from the Founder of Methodism, Rev John Wesley, M.A.  He records in his Journal, “A gentleman of Drumquin, desiring me to preach there, I began without delay, at the end of his house.  It being the fair-day, there was a numerous congregation; but not as numerous as that at Magheralough, where I preached about noon.”  This visit must have been a means of great inspiration to those who gathered at Magheralough.

In 1800 the General Missionaries, Ouseley and Graham, conducted a preaching tour centred at Ballinamallard.  It is recorded that when they preached at Trillick people cried aloud for mercy in the street.  At the close of the service a number of people followed to the house of Mr John Funston, where “they wept, prayed and rejoiced” until midnight.  In1833 the building of a Wesleyan Methodist church was started.

In 1818 Methodism in Ireland had split into the 'Primitives' and the 'Wesleyans'.  The 'Primitives' holding that, whilst being Methodists, they should also remain members of the Church of Ireland and receive the Sacraments there.  The 'Wesleyans' believed that the time had come to form a separate church with their own clergy to administer the Sacraments.  In 1836 the Wesleyans built a new church and this building is now Trillick Orange Hall.  The two Methodist bodies came together again in 1878.

Trillick was for many years on the Irvinestown Circuit and generally had its own junior minister living in Trillick.  This ended in 1966 and in 1976 Trillick joined the Ballinamallard circuit. 

In 1968 a new vestry, kitchen and toilets were built.  In 1995 the kitchen was replaced and other refurbishments were also completed. 

On Sunday 19th June 2011 the church dedicated a new mobile classroom for the glory of God.  This room, named the Lindsay Room, was dedicated by Rev Ian Henderson (President).  Its purpose was to provide additional space to enhance the work of the society.

 

 

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