Find our sermons via https://www.sermonaudio.com/go/omaghfpc Ernie Monteith of Tullyrush, Omagh, invited Dr. IRK Paisley to conduct a Gospel tent mission at Coneywarren, on the outskirts of Omagh, with the intention of starting a Free Presbyterian Church. Dr. Paisley erected a large marquee tent for the occasion. The meetings were well-attended, with the marquee filled to capacity each night. Stra
w bales were positioned around the sides of the canvas tent to keep out drafts and cold, while a large oil burner provided heat. The mission saw effective Gospel preaching, the formation of many new friendships, and numerous conversions. The final service in the tent was held on December 8, 1968, after which unknown individuals set fire to the structure during the night, destroying it completely. Following this incident, people from Omagh and the surrounding district united to form a congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church. Arrangements were made with the Omagh Orange Order to use their Orange Hall at Drumra Avenue for Sunday services. Additionally, a small band hall located in Johnston Park (an area that is now a car park) was secured for prayer meetings. These weekly prayer meetings were consistently well-attended, with participants often filling the venue beyond a comfortable capacity. The meetings were characterised by fervent, continuous prayer and a strong sense of spiritual presence. The congregation used the Omagh Orange Hall for approximately six months until Dr. Paisley purchased a mahogany sectional hall from an Oil Company. This structure had been initially erected at the Balmoral showgrounds at Kings Hall Belfast. The sectional building was transported to Omagh, and on May 17, 1969, a volunteer work crew assembled to erect the structure at Coneywarren, almost opposite the Nestles factory on the Omagh-Newtownstewart Road. Construction materials, including sand, gravel, building blocks, and cement, were acquired, and work commenced. The volunteer workforce included labourers, builders, electricians, plumbers, farmers, factory workers, and others, all contributing their services without charge to advance the church's establishment. Security measures were implemented during construction, with volunteers guarding the building day and night. Two men would typically stand watch each night until morning, a practice that continued for some time. The building was completed rapidly and prepared for its official opening. In May 1969, Dr. IRK Paisley, Moderator of The Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, conducted the opening ceremony. During the service, he humorously commented on how the congregation had convinced him to sell them the building at a very low price, approximately £300. Following the opening, a Gospel campaign was initiated.
