The Irish Baptist Historical Society

The Irish Baptist Historical Society was established in 1968 to encourage the study of Irish Baptist History, to stimulate interest in wider church history, to facilitate the discussion of important theological issues and to assist in the preservation of important records relating to Irish Baptist Churches.

We are, in the words of J.D.Douglas, "the inheritors of a great legacy" and if we neglect church history we deprive ourselves of great benefit. The history of the church is not simply a record of men, movements and missions it is the story of what God is doing on earth and as such provides us with an almost inexhaustible source of challenge, encouragement and inspiration. The study of the past helps us to understand the present, it helps us to appreciate our heritage and it provides us with invaluable insight into the will and ways of God.

Each year there are three or, on occasions, four meetings of the Historical Society which provide a varied programme of historical and theological topics aimed at providing information, insight and inspiration.

The papers presented during 2010 were:

[March 2010] "The History of Great Victoria Street Baptist Church up to 1947"
presented by Mr Robert Fitzpatrick
[May 2010] "The Bible College Movement with Special reference to Ireland"
presented by Dr Graham Cheesman ,
[Oct 2010] "The Story of the King James’ Bible"
presented by Dr Samuel Webb

Papers presented over previous years include:

2009 - "An Overview of the 1859 Revival With Special reference to Baptists" presented by Dr. Joe Thompson
2009 - "The 1859 Revival in Coleraine" presented by Pastor John Gault,
2009 - "The Effect of the 1859 Revival on the Missionary Vision of the Irish Church" presented by Pastor Ian Grant
2009 - "Calvin’s Doctrine of the Holy Spirit" presented by Dr. Stafford Carson
2006 - "Baptists in Cromwellian Ireland" presented by Dr Crawford Gribbin
2007 - "Contemporary Catholicism" presented by Pastor Philip Brown
2007 - "The Concept of the Gathered Church at the Westminster Assembly" presented by Dr James Davison
2008 - "Alexander Carson – Lionheart of Tobermore," presented by Pastor Joe Flanigan
2008 - "William Grimshaw (1708-1763), Yorkshire Baptists, and the 18th century Evangelical Revival" presented by Dr Michael A G Haykin

For further information about our meetings or the availability of Historical Society Journals use the form below or contact the office here