Vestibule

Located within the City’s historic walls, First Derry Presbyterian Church has a significant historical context. It is believed to be on the site of an earlier Presbyterian church founded in 1690, as a reward for the bravery of the Presbyterians during the Siege of Derry in 1689.

It is difficult to date the precise origins of a distinct Presbyterian congregation in the city.  While Presbyterians were present from the time of the Plantation, the first congregation probably has its origins in the late 1640s or 1650s. 

A case of dry rot in the roof trusses necessitated the church being closed for restoration in 2002. A £2.5m 9 year programme of restoration was undertaken, during which human remains were unearthed believed to date back to the time of the Siege.

The Church was re-opened in 2011 following a programme of restoration works which totally renovated the building yet retained its 1780 character with many 18th century Presbyterian features.