History

Fitzroy's Beginnings

Fitzroy Presbyterian Church can be traced back to 1813, when a small group of families with "burgher" sympathies left Belfast's Seceder Meeting House in Berry Street. The fledgling congregation met in various loaned premises (including Meeting Houses belonging to Methodists, Independents and Covenanters) before hiring premises in Commercial Court as a temporary measure.

They successfully petitioned the Secession Synod of Ulster to be recognised as a separate congregation and the Second Seceder Congregation was formalised - it was only the seventh Presbyterian congregation to be established in Belfast. Their first Minister, the Rev. John Edgar, responded to the called in 1820 and the Second Seceder Meeting House (in Alfred Place) was officially opened on 6th January 1822. More information about the history of the congregation and its ministers is contained in the following documents.

• Introduction by Rev. Dr. Ken Newell

• The Rev. Dr. John Edgar (1820 - 1848)

• Memoir of The Rev. Dr. John Edgar (1820 - 1848)

• The Rev. George Shaw A.B. (1848 – 1892)

• The Rev. W. Colquhoun (1893 - 1921) 

• The Rev. J.B. Woodburn (1922 - 1942)

• The Rev. Robert E. Alexander (1943 – 1975)

• Fitzroy Past and Present

• PCI Moderators

• Historical Highlights

• Fitzroy Church Connections

• Fitzroy Avenue Name Origins

• The Story of Christ's Church by Rev Ken Newell