Presbyterian Meeting House
/Collections/Buildings/town-buildings/Presbyterian-Church)
It wasn’t until The Toleration Act of 1719 that Presbyterian worship was recognised in law and Presbyterians were able to build their own churches.
This Presbyterian meeting-house was built in Omagh in 1721. The dominant feature of the interior is the pulpit at the centre of the long wall, underlining the Presbyterian emphasis on the 'preaching of the Word'.
Early Presbyterian churches in this plain style are referred to as 'barn churches', because their architecture is similar to that of a substantial barn. Originally the building had plain rectangular windows and a thatched roof. In 1821, the thatch was replaced with a slated roof and the windows were remodelled to their present style, which hints at ecclesiastical gothic.
Original location: Dublin Road, Omagh, County Tyrone
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