Portaferry is one of the first Presbyterian congregations in Ireland.
It was founded in 1642 and moved to this site around 1662 when
the original church at Templecranny was returned to the Church
of Ireland. The original Meeting House was rebuilt in 1751 as a plain
T-shaped barn but needed further work in 1839 after it was seriously
damaged in the “Night of the Big Wind” on 7th January.

The Rev. John Orr (minister 1822-1875), engaged the
brilliant young architect John Miller who designed the present
neo-classical building based on the ruined Temple of
Nemesis in Greece. It took two years to complete and
cost £1999.12s6d - this being met by the congregation
and neighbours of all denominations. It was opened by
the noted evangelical Presbyterian, the Rev. Henry Cooke,
in September 1841.

In 2014 the building underwent an extensive restoration,
funded mainly by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and is now
a heritage and arts centre as well as the congregational home.