There has been a Presbyterian congregation in Galway city since the 1600’s, and in 1698 when this group invited the minister of the congregation of Limerick to come administer Holy Communion, it is reported that the minister William Biggar on arriving in Galway, was put in prison and sent to Dublin for “dividing the Protestant interest”. He was later released – for his only crime was to arrive in Galway to preach and lead a service – but he was warned not to return to Galway! On 25th October 1835, the Presbyterian meeting house on Nun’s Island was opened for worship.
In May 1748, John Wesley came to Co. Galway to preach and in 1756 came to Galway city for the first time. In 1760 a small Methodist society formed in Galway. John Wesley returned many times and in 1839, a Methodist Chapel was opened just off Eyre Square at Victoria Place.
Many Presbyterian and Methodist ministers followed over the years, and there were many smaller congregational meetings outside of Galway city that met also.
In 1980, the two congregations, Presbyterian and Methodist, were united and began worshipping together in the Methodist Chapel at Victoria Place.