Our Church
We are part of the Methodist Church in Ireland and our dream is that each person will experience the transforming power of Jesus in their lives.
Rev. Alison Gallagher is the minister in Killarney and also has responsibility for the work in Kenmare. She and her husband live in Killarney.
Methodism in Kerry
The introduction of Methodism into "The Kingdom (of Kerry)" dates
from 1790 when, Charles Graham, a native Irish speaker,
was appointed missionary in Cork and Kerry. He was so
successful that he won for himself the name of the
"Apostle of Kerry" and by 1796 a small congregation
was meeting in Killarney. Methodist work also started in Tralee, Milltown and Killorglin.
The present church in Killarney, built in 1911, was the only
Methodist Church building to survive in Kerry until 2011 when a new church was opened in Kenmare due to the growing needs of the congregation based there.
Recent Years
For many years the church in Killarney was only open during
summer months for the use of visitors, with faithful preachers travelling from Cork. However in the 1990's, due to the energetic and godly ministry of Jean & Ed. Ritchie, pastoral assistants originally connected with the church in Cork, the church, identifying opportunities in the local community, put in place a programme of spiritual and social caring during the week.
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By 2003 it was apparent that the original church buildings were
not adequate for all the activities taking place during the week
and plans were drawn up for an extension at the back of the
building. The new building was tastefully designed to
complement the older buiding, and was officially opened by the
President of the Methodist Church in Ireland,
Rev. Dr. Brian Fletcher on 21 May 2005.
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