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The Free Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian denomination in Northern Ireland. It was founded and is moderated by the cleric and politician Rev. Dr. Ian Paisley¹ M.L.A., M.P., M.E.P.
The Free Presbyterian Church began in 1951 as the result of a conflict between the local Presbyterian congregation in Crossgar, County Down, Northern Ireland and the Down Presbytery. The Down Presbytery banned the elders of the local congregation from using the church hall as a Gospel mission. Rather than give in to the presbytery, the congregation withdrew from the Down Presbytery and the Presbyterian denomination in Ireland. The elders felt the denomination was inconsistent in allowing dances and parties to be held in the church halls, while at the same time refusing a Gospel mission. In that year, under the leadership of Paisley, four congregations went together to form the Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster.
Doctrinally, the church describes itself as fundamentalist, evangelical, and separatist. Baptism and the Lord's supper are recognized as sacraments of the Free Presbyterian Church. Members are allowed to determine the proper mode (dipping, pouring, sprinkling) and subjects (infants, adult believers) that they prefer, but the church will not sanction baptismal regeneration. The Lord's supper is observed monthly, unless a local congregation prefers a more frequent observance. With their articles of faith, the Westminster Confession of Faith is considered a doctrinal standard.
From four churches in 1951, the denomination has grown to about 60 congregations in Northern Ireland, and a total of about 100 through the world, including England, Canada, and the United States. Missionaries are currently (2004) labouring in India, Jamaica, Kenya, Republic of Ireland, Spain and West Germany.
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