On Saturday 6th June in Kilskeery FPC, the 60th Anniversary of the 1966 protest and imprisonment was marked with a special meeting where one of the imprisoned ministers, Rev. Ivan Foster spoke about these matters, and how the Lord used it for the furtherance of the Gospel in Northern Ireland.
On Monday 6th June 1966, the Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, Dr. Ian R.K. Paisley led a protest to the General Assembly Buildings in Belfast.
As the protestors marched, a cordon was placed across the road by the police which resulted in the march being brought to a halt outside the entrance to Assembly Buildings. Shortly after, a number of individuals were arrested and brought to court charged with unlawful assembly.
Consequently, three Free Presbyterian ministers, Dr. Ian Paisley, Rev. John Wylie & Rev. Ivan Foster were imprisoned in Crumlin Road jail for 3 months.
Both during and after that period of imprisonment, the Lord came down and the Free Presbyterian Church flourished with many new congregations being constituted. Between 1966-1970, approximately 17 new congregations were added to the 13 already in existence which took the Free Presbyterian Church into every County in Ulster for the first time.
Read sermon notes here
View a video of this sermon below:
"A Time to be Remembered" - a booklet compiled by Rev. Ivan Foster, which provides pictures, numerous articles, and descriptions of the 1966 protest and imprisonment of the three FPC ministers, as well as the Lord's wonderful workings that followed!
Here is a link to an old news film of the march which begins with scenes from the Cromac Square riot by republicans and police injured in the riot and then the march and gathering outside of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, General Assembly.
Note: this video link will not work outside of locations in Great Britain!