IRISH CHURCHES
The following is a list of the various denominations and church groupings in Ireland with a comment or two about their stand or otherwise for gospel truth. They appear in alphabetical order. Most operate on both sides of the border.

APOSTOLIC CHURCH
A small Pentecostal denomination. Strongly Arminian in doctrine. 

BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND
Around 100 congregations in association. A mixed bag as seen by the fact that around 10 congregations opted to co-operate in the ecumenical Power to Change evangelistic programme. A RC priest was included in the official press photo at a recent installation of a pastor. The explanation, put out by the Association, was very weak indeed. A few fundamental pastors happily make strong representation from time to time to curb the inroads of ecumenism. Theologically, the Association includes reformed Calvinist pastors and also Dispensationalists. 

CHURCH OF GOD
A small Oneness Pentecostal denomination whose leading light defected to the Elim Pentecostal Church a few years ago. Sabellian in doctrine.

CHURCH OF CHRIST
Both brands of the cult bearing this name are found, although not very big numerically. Both believe in baptismal regeneration.

CHURCH OF IRELAND
Apostate denomination belonging to the world wide Anglican Communion. Ecumenical to the hilt. Declining numerically especially in the Republic of Ireland with church closures every year. A few voices are still raised against the apostasy from within. There is an ongoing fight over the total non evangelical representation in the Theological college. It's glory lies in the past with some notable Protestant worthies like TC Hammond. 

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS
American cult, well known universally. Making very little inroads in Ireland. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Small association of Congregational churches. Some Calvinistic. 

ELIM PENTECOSTAL CHURCH
The largest of the Pentecostal denominations. Mixed bag theologically with some participation in the ecumenical Power to Change evangelistic programme. Flagship church is undoubtedly the Metropolitan Tabernacle which regularly has congregations of over 3,000 people. Theologically mixed with a stronger Calvinistic representation. 

EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
A small evangelical denomination which separated from the Irish Presbyterian Church after the latter formally endorsed and embraced the heresies of Professor J.E. Davey in 1926. James Grier was a founding father of this denomination. Calvinistic in doctrine.

FREE METHODIST CHURCH
Small Wesleyan denomination which separated from the Irish Methodist Church over membership of the World Council of Churches, only to join (unknowingly) with another group who was also in membership. Church split over this anomaly and many formed the Independent Methodist Church (See below) 

FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The second largest and strongest of the various Presbyterian churches in Ireland. Moderator is Dr Ian R.K. Paisley. 
Around 80 churches and outreaches in Northern Ireland with some representation (including the writer) labouring in the Irish Republic. 
The FPC has churches also in USA, Canada (both with their own Theological Hall) mainland UK, Australia and Germany with missionaries working under the FPC Mission Board in Kenya, Spain and Jamaica. 
Many Free Presbyterians serve with other Missionary Societies such as NTM and Acre etc., 
The FPC is avowedly Calvinistic in Doctrine, but also Fundamentalist in ethos.
Passionately evangelistic. Another feature of the FPC is its balanced stand for the AV.
 Click here for brief synopsis of messages preached on the Distinctive stand of the Free Presbyterian Church:

INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCHES
A number of Independent Baptist churches are springing up, similar to those seen in the American continent. Mostly non Calvinistic. KJV only. Very evangelistic. 

INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
A small Wesleyan Holiness denomination which split from the Methodist Church in Ireland (via the Free Methodists) over membership of the WCC in the late 1970's. Strongly Arminian in doctrine. Fundamentalist in ethos.

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
World wide cult with around 5,000 adherents in Ireland. Large number of imported JW's who have come to "where the need is greatest" particularly from the UK.

METHODIST CHURCH
Largest Methodist denomination in Ireland. Apostate, Ecumenical and modernist through and through. Large Charismatic influence. Celebrated the 250th anniversary of John Wesley's conversion by shamefully tying him in with Rome's St. Alphonsus de Ligouri whose anniversary for something or other also fell in 1988. 

NON SUBSCRIBING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Small and fast disappearing Unitarian denomination. Non subscription to the (Trinitarian) Westminster Confession of Faith. They were gloriously dumped out of the Irish Presbyterian Church in the 1850's after a fierce battle with Dr Henry Cook who took them on and won this important theological battle for the very existence of the gospel. 

PLYMOUTH BRETHREN ASSEMBLIES
Mostly evangelical and fundamentalist congregations although some growing liberal with individual participation in Billy Graham type gatherings. Dispensational and free will teaching rife. Some assemblies very open and friendly…others need a tin opener to get into them. Good emphasise on evangelism.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF IRELAND
The largest Protestant denomination in Ireland with several hundred congregations. 
Largely apostate which has led to two separate denominations being formed out of her midst (EPC in 1926 and the FPC in 1951)
Despite the presence of some evangelicals (who, when all is said and done, still sit in the same presbyteries as the others) the IPC still tolerates modernists and ecumenists. Claims of an evangelical resurgence in recent years must be weighed in the balances of what they have actually done about the apostate state of their church.
For useful articles in this regard…see the following:
* Why Christians who fellowship with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland should come out from among them and be separate:
Read about the vile blasphemies of Professor J.E. Davey the arch apostate Irish Presbyterian elevated to the Moderator's Chair. Why God does not forgive or forget apostasy.
* The positive truth of Bible Separation expounded: The positive side of a negative practice. 
* Questions for those Evangelicals whose plan is to stay within seriously compromised denominations and fight:
OK you want to stay in your apostate denomination and fight like men. Answer these questions and see if you can win. Spurgeon's great quote included on those who stay in and fight.

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
One of the oldest Reformed Churches on the island. Avowedly Calvinistic in doctrine. Sing only Psalms and don't generally vote, holding to the obligation of the nation to maintain a 17th Century covenant. I went once to a gospel mission held in a RPC in Belfast and heard a good gospel sermon on Mephibosheth. Singing was a bit dire though. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Well what can you say about Rome in a paragraph? Save to say that they are as corrupt here in Ireland like everywhere else. Losing their grip upon the people here in the Republic of Ireland largely through a whole series of embarrassing sex scandals. However, as someone said, she is always reinvent herself…so watch out.

SALVATION ARMY
Same as everywhere else. Good social work but very weak on the gospel. Largely ecumenical. What would General Booth say?