Knockmanoul (1773)




Meanwhile, the work continued to extend and prosper in the north. On one occasion J. Smith went to Knockmanoui much weighed down in spirit, having heard that the Society there had not retained its fervour. On arriving at Molly Gregg's he immediately inquired for his room, into which he entered without delay, shut the door, and spread his case before the Lord. It seemed to him for some time as if he pleaded in vain, but he persevered, and so absorbed was he in prayer that he was deaf to repeated calls to dinner. The day drew to a close, and his door remained unopened. At length Molly Gregg, whose kind heart could not brook the idea of the preacher fasting for such a length of time, opened the door and found him so earnestly pleading with God as to be unconscious of her presence. Shortly after she again entered, and said: "The house is filled with people, and many are outside unable to get in." Whereon he leapt to his feet in exultation, saying: "O! Molly Gregg, I have got it, and will now go and deliver my message." During the subsequent service, the Spirit of God descended in mighty power: sixteen souls were converted, and a gracious work commenced, which is said to have been " the most extensive revival in the north of Ireland."

1826. Mr. William Herbert, sen., who was appointed to Enniskillen, states that the congregations on his circuit were everywhere increased, in some places gracious outpourings of the Spirit took place, and the fruits of a revival that had begun in Knockmanoul were permanent, about forty having been led to the Saviour, and continued to adorn their profession.

1843. Messrs Joseph M^Cormick and John G. Wakeham were appointed to the Enniskillen circuit, where, in answer to special and persevering prayer, there was a very extensive and blessed religious awakening. At first, an increasing attendance on the ministry of the word was observed and in some instances a marked seriousness in the congregations. At the December love-feast there was a considerable addition to the ordinary attendance; but nothing further that was remarkable took place, except that at the close of the meeting a few anxious inquirers, including an old man of nearly seventy, professed to have found peace in believing. However, on the following Sabbath evening, as Mr Wakeham preached, the Lord poured out His Spirit, a number were constrained to cry out, " What must we do to be saved ?" and six of them were enabled to rejoice in the God of their salvation. On the same evening, as Mr M'Cormick preached at Knockmanoul, the word was accompanied with similar power and attended with similar results. The good work thus commenced continued and spread, meetings were held every evening, and at almost all of these sinners were convinced of sin and converted to God, until it was estimated that not less than five hundred persons had been turned " from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God."

'History of Methodism in Ireland'. Volume iii, by Crookshank, p332.

1855. A very gracious religious awakening took place in connection with the Primitive Wesleyans at Ballyreagh, and like the similar work twelve years previously, commenced in the family of Mr., Robert Orr. He having taken seriously ill, his son Robert, then a young man of twenty-one, became seriously anxious" about him, prayed earnestly for his recovery, and the Lord mercifully granted his request. He then resolved to enter upon a new life, went to class-meeting, where the power of God descended, and at a love-feast held in Lisbellaw found peace in believing. A blessed work thus began which soon spread, and a large number were led to the Saviour. These include five brothers of RobertOrr, two of whom, Thomas and James, as well as Robert, afterwards entered the itinerancy; William McCabe, a Romanist, and Christopher Wilson of Cavancarragh. The good work also extended to Ballinamallard and Knockmanoul, where "the overwhelming power of saving grace" appeared to overturn all opposition, and before the end of the year hundreds of souls were converted to God.

1859 On the Enniskillen circuit the Wesleyans, the Primitive Wesleyans, and the Presbyterians united together in holding open-air services, which were attended by vast numbers, and much good was done. The work soon extended to the surrounding country. Lisnaskea, Inishmore, and Knockmanoul all shared in the blessings of this gracious visitation. More than two hundred and fifty members were added to the Primitive Wesleyan Society alone.

'History of Methodism in Ireland' by Crookshhank, Volumes I and III.

Additional Information

Location unknown, but this is an old chapel. I cannot work out on the map exactly where this chapel was.


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