United Free Church of Scotland

United Free Church of Scotland
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationCalvinist
PolityPresbyterian
Associationsmajority incorporated into the Church of Scotland in 1929
RegionScotland
Origin1900
Merger ofThe United Presbyterian Church of Scotland and most of the Free Church of Scotland
Congregations47[1]
Members1782 (Communicant) [1]
Ministers22
Official websiteufcos.org.uk

The United Free Church of Scotland (UF Church; Scottish Gaelic: An Eaglais Shaor Aonaichte, Scots: The Unitit Free Kirk o Scotland) is a Scottish Presbyterian denomination formed in 1900 by the union of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland (or UP) and the majority of the 19th-century Free Church of Scotland. The majority of the United Free Church of Scotland united with the Church of Scotland in 1929.

Origins

The Free Church of Scotland seceded from the Church of Scotland in the Disruption of 1843. The United Presbyterian Church was formed in 1847 by a union of the United Secession and Relief Churches, both of which had split from the Church of Scotland. The two denominations united in 1900 to form the United Free Church (except for a small section of the Free Church who rejected the union and continued independently under the name of the Free Church).

Main article: Free Church case

The minority of the Free Church, which had refused to join the union, quickly tested its legality. They issued a summons, claiming that in altering the principles of the Free Church, the majority had ceased to be the Free Church of Scotland and therefore forfeited the right to its assets – which should belong to the remaining minority, who were the true 'Free Church'. However, the case was lost in the Court of Session, where Lord Low (upheld by the second division) held that the Assembly of original Free Church had a right, within limits, to change its position.

An appeal to the House of Lords, (not delivered until 1 August 1904 due to a judicial death), reversed the Court of Session's decision (by a majority of 5–2), and found the minority entitled to the assets of the Free Church. It was held that, by adopting new standards of doctrine (and particularly by abandoning its commitment to 'the establishment principle' – which was held to be fundamental to the Free Church), the majority had violated the conditions on which the property of the Free Church was held.

The judgement had huge implications; seemingly it deprived the Free Church element of the UF Church of all assets—churches, manses, colleges, missions, and even provision for elderly clergy. It handed large amounts of property to the remnant; more than it could make effective use of. A conference, held in September 1904, between representatives of the UF and the (now distinct) Free Church, to come to some working arrangement, found that no basis for agreement could be found. A convocation of the UF Church, held on 15 December, decided that the union should proceed, and resolved to pursue every lawful means to restore their assets. As a result, the intervention of Parliament was sought.

A parliamentary commission was appointed, consisting of Lords Elgin, Kinnear and Anstruther. The question of interim possession was referred to Sir John Cheyne. The commission sat in public, and after hearing both sides, issued their report in April 1905. They stated that the feelings of both parties towards the other had made their work difficult. They concluded, however, that the Free Church was in many respects unable to carry out the purposes of the trusts, which, under the ruling of the House of Lords, was a condition of their holding the property. They recommended that an executive commission should be set up by act of parliament, in which the whole property of the Free Church, as at the date of the union, should be vested, and which should allocate it to the United Free Church, where the Free Church was unable to carry out the trust purposes.

The Churches (Scotland) Act 1905,[2] which gave effect to these recommendations, was passed in August. The commissioners appointed were those on whose report the act was formed, plus two others. The allocation of churches and manses was a slow business, but by 1908 over 100 churches had been assigned to the Free Church. Some of the dispossessed UF Church congregations, most of them in the Highlands, found shelter for a time in the parish churches; but it was early decided that in spite of the objection against the erection of more church buildings in districts where many were now standing empty, 60 new churches and manses should at once be built at a cost of about £150,000. In October 1906 the commission intimated that the Assembly Hall, and the New College Buildings, were to belong to the UF Church, while the Free Church received the offices in Edinburgh, and a tenement to be converted into a college, while the library was to be vested in the UF Church, but open to members of both. After having held its Assembly in university class-rooms for two years, and in another hall in 1905, in 1906 the UF Church again occupied the historic buildings of the Free Church. All the foreign missions and all the continental stations were also adjudged to the United Free Church. (Incidentally, the same act also contained provided for the relaxation of subscription in the Church of Scotland, thus Parliament had involved itself in the affairs of all Presbyterian churches.)

Existence 1900–1929

The United Free Church was during its relatively short existence the second largest Presbyterian church in Scotland. The Free Church brought into the union 1,068 congregations, the United Presbyterians 593. Combined they had a membership of some half a million Scots. The revenue of the former amounted to £706,546, of the latter to £361,743. The missionaries of both churches joined the union, and the united Church was then equipped with missions in various parts of India, in Manchuria, in Africa (Lovedale, Livingstonia, etc.), in Palestine, in Melanesia and in the West Indies.

The UFC was broadly liberal Evangelical in its approach to theology and practical issues. It combined an acceptance of the findings of contemporary science, and the more moderate results of higher criticism with commitment to evangelism and missions. The UFC's approach to doctrinal conformity was fairly liberal for a Presbyterian denomination at the time. In its 1906 Act Anent Spiritual Independence of the Church, its General Assembly asserted the power to modify or define its Subordinate standard (the Westminster Confession) and its laws. Although its subordinate standard remained, ministers and elders were asked to state their belief in "the doctrine of this Church, set forth in the Confession of Faith". Thus the Church's interpretation of doctrine was prioritised over the confession.

The UFC had three divinity halls, at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, served by 17 professors and five lecturers. The first moderator was Robert Rainy. Its theologians and scholars have included H.R. Mackintosh, James Moffatt as well as John and Donald Baillie. British Prime Minister Bonar Law was raised in a Canadian Free Church manse and was a member of the United Free Church in Helensburgh.[3]

Churches 1900-1929

Synod of Lothian

Presbytery of Edinburgh

Founded Pre-1900 Post-1900 Pre-1929 Post-1929 name Ended
1738 (S) Ed. Nicolson Street UPC Ed. Nicolson Street Ed. Nicolson Street 1969
1753 (Burg) Ed. Bristo UPC Ed. Bristo Ed. Bristo 1938
1765 (R) Ed. College Street UPC Ed. College Street Ed. Union (united 1910) Ed. College 1995
1859 Ed. Cowgate FC Ed. Cowgate
1859 Ed. Pleasance FC Ed. Pleasance
1775 (Burg) East Calder UPC East Calder East Calder 1943
1776 (Burg) Queensferry UPC South Queensferry South Queensferry St Andrew's 1956
1783 (Burg) Slateford UPC Ed. Slateford Ed. Slateford
1785 (Burg) Ed. Broughton Place UPC Ed. Broughton Place Ed. Broughton Place 1974
1787 (AB) Leith St Andrew's Pl. UPC Leith St Andrew's Place Ed. Leith St Andrew's Place 1973
1787 (Burg) Leith Kirkgate UPC Leith Kirkgate Ed. Leith Kirkgate 1973
1791 (Burg) Ed. Lauriston Place UPC Ed. Lauriston Place Ed. Lauriston 1958
1792 (AB) Ed. Hope Park UPC Ed. Hope Park Ed. Hope Park 1940
1792/1843 (CE/F) Ed. Craigmillar Park FC Ed. Craigmillar Park Ed. Craigmillar Park 2025
1794 (Burg) West Calder UPC West Calder Harwood West Calder Harwood -
1796 (R) Ed. St James's Place UPC Ed. St James's Place Ed. St James's Place 1933
1803/09 (R/CAB) Ed. McCrie-Roxburgh FC Ed. McCrie-Roxburgh Ed. Newington (united 1920) Ed. Newington East 1942
1843 Ed. Newington FC Ed. Newington
1817 (Burg) Leith North UPC Leith North Coburg Street Ed. Leith Harper Memorial 1940
1818 (RP) Ed. Martyrs' FC Ed. Martyrs' Ed. Martyrs' & St John's (1909) Ed. Martyrs' & St John's 1930
1843 Ed. St John's FC Ed. St John's
1818 (R) Ed. Viewforth UPC Ed. Bruntsfield Ed. Bruntsfield 1967
1821 (USC) Ed. Palmerston Place UPC Ed. Palmerston Place Ed. Palmerston Place
1822 (R) Leith Junction Road Leith Junction Road Ed. Leith Junction Road 1975
1824/25 (R/R) Ed. Arthur Street UPC Ed. Arthur Street Ed. Pleasance (ren. 1919) Ed. Pleasance 1953
1826 (USC) Balerno UPC Balerno Balerno -
1827 (USC) Ed. Lothian Road UPC Ed. Lothian Road Ed. Lothian Road 1976
1828 (USC) Ed. Mayfield UPC Ed. Fountainhall Road Ed. Fountainhall Road 1958
1829 (USC) Ed. Eyre Place UPC Ed. Davidson Ed. Davidson 1945
1836 (USC) Ed. P'bello Windsor Pl. UP Ed. Portobello Windsor Place Ed. Portobello Windsor Place 1973
1836 (CoE) Ed. St Paul's FC Ed. St Paul's Ed. St Paul's 1942
1839 (CoE) Leith St Ninian's FC Leith St Ninian's Ed. Leith St Ninian's 1940
1843 Corstorphine FC Corstorphine Corstorphine St Ninian's -
1843 Cramond FC Cramond Davidson's Mains (ren. 1927) Davidson's Mains -
1843 Ed. Dean FC Ed. Dean Ed. St Cuthbert's (united 1911) Ed. Belford 1970
1843 Ed. St Cuthbert's FC Ed. St Cuthbert's
1843 Ed. High FC Ed. High Ed. Reid Memorial 2026
1843 Ed. Knox's FC Ed. Knox's Ed. Moray-Knox (united 1910) Ed. Moray-Knox 1930
1862 Ed. Moray FC Ed. Moray
1871 Ed. Canongate UPC Ed. Canongate
1843 Ed. Lady Glenorchy's FC Ed. Lady Glenorchy's Ed. Lady Glenorchy's North 1956
1843 Leith North FC Leith North Ferry Road Ed. Leith St Nicholas' 1962
1843 Leith St John's FC Leith St John's Leith St John's (united 1907) Ed. Leith St John's West 1954
1863 Leith Elder Memorial FC Leith Elder Memorial
1843 Leith South FC Leith South Ed. Leith Claremont 1973
1843 Ed. Liberton FC Ed. Liberton Ed. Liberton Northfield
1843 Ed. Morningside FC Ed. Morningside Ed. Morningside High 1960
1843 Ed. Newhaven FC Ed. Newhaven Ed. Newhaven St Andrew's 1974
1843 Ed. New North FC Ed. New North Ed. New North 1941
1843 Ed. Pilrig FC Ed. Pilrig Ed. Pilrig 1950
1843 Ed. Portobello FC Ed. Portobello St Philip's Ed. Portobello St Philip's
1843/43 (F/F) Ed. Queen Street FC Ed. Queen Street Ed. Queen Street 1947
1843 Ed. St Andrew's FC Ed. St Andrew's Ed. St Andrew's Drumsheugh 1955
1843 Ed. St Bernard's FC Ed. St Bernard's Ed. St Bernard's (united 1915) Ed. St Bernard's South 1945
1861 Ed. Dean Street UPC Ed. Dean Street
1843 Ed. St Columba's FC Ed. St Columba's Ed. St Columba's 1948
1843 Ed. St David's FC Ed. St David's Ed. St David's Morrison St.
1843 Ed. St George's FC Ed. St George's Ed. St George's West 2010
1843 Ed. St Mary's FC Ed. St Mary's Ed. Barony 1933
1843 Ed. St Stephen's FC Ed. St Stephen's Ed. St Stephen's Comely Bank
1844 Ratho & Kirknewton FC Ratho & Kirknewton Wilkieston 1969
1845/61 (I/UP) Ed. N. Richmond St. UPC Ed. North Richmond Street Ed. Richmond Craigmillar -
1847 Ed. West Port FC Ed. Chalmers Ed. Chalmers 1958
1848 Ed. Grange Road UPC Ed. Newington South Ed. Newington South 1940
1849 Ed. Holyrood FC Ed. Holyrood Ed. Holyrood Abbey (un. 1910) Ed. Holyrood Abbey
1860 Ed. Abbeyhill UPC Ed. Abbeyhill
1853 Ed. Fountainbridge FC Ed. Candlish Ed. Candlish 1981
~1860 (Ev.U.) Ed. Fountainbridge UPC Ed. East Fountainbridge dissolved 1905
1860 Ed. Gilmore Place UPC Ed. Gilmore Place dissolved 1921
1863 Ed. Morningside UPC Ed. North Morningside Ed. North Morningside 1980
1865 Ed. Barclay FC Ed. Barclay Ed. Barclay 1967
1865 Ed. Grange FC Ed. Grange Ed. St Catherine's in Grange 1968
1866 Ed. Roseburn FC Ed. Roseburn Ed. Roseburn 1962
1868 Ed. Stockbridge FC Ed. Stockbridge Ed. Stockbridge 1975
1868 West Calder FC West Calder Limefield joined UFC Continuing
1872 Ed. Haymarket UPC Ed. Haymarket Ed. Haymarket 1960
1872 Ed. London Road UPC Ed. London Road Ed. London Road
1872 Ed. Viewforth FC Ed. Viewforth Ed. Viewforth 1957
1875 Ed. Rose Street UPC Ed. Rose Street Ed. McDonald Road (rn. 1903) Ed. McDonald Road 1974
1876 Leith Bonnington UPC Leith Bonnington Ed. Leith Bonnington 1968
1876 Ed. Mayfield FC Ed. Mayfield Ed. Mayfield North 1958
1876 Ed. St James's FC Ed. St James's Ed. Inverleith
1877 Ed. Argyle Place UPC Ed. Argyle Place Ed. Argyle Place 1968
1877 Ed. Dalry FC Ed. Dalry Ed. Dalry 1960
1878 Ed. Rosehall UPC Ed. Rosehall Ed. Rosehall 1974
1878 Ed. P'bello Regent St. UPC Ed. Portobello Regent Street Ed. Portobello Regent Street 1952
1879 Leith Dalmeny Street UPC Leith Dalmeny Street Ed. Leith Dalmeny Street 1950
1880 Juniper Green FC Juniper Green Ed. Juniper Green St Andrew's 1974
1881 Ed. Guthrie Memorial FC Ed. Guthrie Memorial Ed. Guthrie Memorial 1962
1883 Ed. Braid UPC Ed. Braid Ed. Braid 1990
1883 Ed. Merchiston UPC Ed. John Ker Memorial Ed. John Ker Memorial 1981
1885 Leith Wardie UPC Leith Wardie Ed. Leith Wardie -
1886 Ed. Warrender Park FC Ed. Warrender Park Ed. Warrender 1972
1889 Ed. South Morningside FC Ed. South Morningside Ed. South Morningside 1974
1890 Ed. Restalrig FC Ed. Restalrig Ed. New Restalrig
1891 Ed. Gorgie FC Ed. Gorgie Ed. North Merchiston 1986
1891 Leith Ebenezer UPC Leith Ebenezer joined UFC Continuing
1898 Ed. Gorgie UPC Ed. Cairns Memorial Ed. Cairns Memorial 1979
1900 Ed. Greenbank UPC Ed. Greenbank Ed. Greenbank
1919 Addiewell & Stoneyburn Stoneyburn
1927 Ed. Fountainbridge Ed. Fountainbridge 1974
1927 Ed. Lochend Ed. Lochend 1992
1928 Ed. Stenhouse Ed. Stenhouse Saughton 1993

Presbytery of Bathgate

Founded Pre-1900 Post-1900 Pre-1929 Post-1929 name Ended
1762 (AB) Mid Calder UPC Mid Calder Mid Calder Bridgend 1956
1766 (AB) Whitburn FC Whitburn Whitburn Brucefield
1774 (Burg) Whitburn/Longridge UPC Longridge Longridge and Breich
1801 (OB) Crofthead FC Fauldhouse Fauldhouse Crofthead 1973
1803 (Burg) Avonbridge UPC Avonbridge Avonbridge 2024
1812 (R) Bathgate (West) UPC Bathgate St John's Bathgate St John's
1843 Bathgate FC Bathgate St David's Bathgate St David's
1843 Kirkliston FC Kirkliston Newliston 1941
1843 Livingston FC Livingston Livingston Tulloch 1945
1843 Torphichen FC Torphichen Torphichen St John's 1931
1844 Broxburn FC Broxburn West Broxburn West 1975
1845 Slamannan FC Slamannan Slamannan Balquhatson 1945
1861 Armadale FC Armadale Armadale East 1973
1874 Harthill FC Harthill Harthill Forrest Memorial 1953
1879 Broxburn UPC Broxburn East Broxburn St John's 1964
1888 Longriggend FC Longriggend Longriggend 1932
1893 Caldercruix FC Caldercruix Caldercruix West 1939
1898 Blackridge FC Blackridge Blackridge
1898 Uphall FC Uphall Uphall South
1910 Blackburn (miss. 1906) Blackburn

Presbytery of Linlithgow and Falkirk

Founded Pre-1900 Post-1900 Pre-1929 Post-1929 name Ended
1738 (S) Cumbernauld FC Cumbernauld Bridgend Cumbernauld (united 1920) Cumbernauld St Andrew's 1952
1759 (AB) Cumbernauld UPC Cumbernauld Baird
1738 (S) Falkirk Erskine UPC Falkirk Erskine Falkirk Erskine
1739 (S) Linlithgow East UPC Linlithgow East Linl. Craigmailen (un. 1917) Linlithgow Craigmailen 1954
1770 (Burg) Linlithgow West UPC Linlithgow Trinity
1746 (S) Dennyloanhead UPC Dennyloanhead Dennyloanhead 1991
1762/1795 (AB/B) Bo'ness UPC Bo'ness Craigmailen joined UFC Continuing
1767 (R) Falkirk West UPC Falkirk West Falkirk West
1768 (R) Kilsyth UPC Kilsyth Anderson Kilsyth Anderson
1781 (AB) Falkirk Graham's Road UPC Falkirk Graham's Road Falkirk Graham's Road 1975
1783 (RP) Laurieston FC Laurieston Falkirk Laurieston West 1945
1793 (Burg) Denny UPC Denny Broompark Denny Broompark 1963
1803 (OB) Falkirk FC Falkirk St Andrew's Falkirk St Andrew's
1808 (Burg) Airth UPC Airth Airth South 1956
1837 (CoE) Grangemouth Charing Cross FC Grangemouth Charing Cross Grangemouth Charing Cross
1843 (Ind) Falkirk St James's UPC Falkirk St James's Falkirk St James's
1843 Abercorn FC Abercorn Abercorn South & Winchburgh 1946
1843 Kilsyth FC Kilsyth High Kilsyth Burns 1975
1843 Larbert FC Larbert East Larbert East 2025
1843 Linlithgow FC Linlithgow High Linlithgow St Ninian's 1954
1843 Polmont FC Polmont Polmont South
1844 Bo'ness & Carriden FC Bo'ness St Andrew's Bo'ness St Andrew's 2025
FC Denny Dunipace Denny Dunipace 1989
FC Denny West Denny West 1963
1854 Grangemouth UPC Grangemouth Grange Grangemouth Grange
1878 Carron UPC Carron Carron 1963
1878 Falkirk Bainsford FC Falkirk Bainsford Falkirk Bainsford
1884 Grangemouth West FC Grangemouth West Grangemouth West
1886 Wester Pardovan UPC Wester Pardovan Pardovan 1944
1890 Camelon FC Falkirk Camelon Falkirk Irving (ren. 1906) Falkirk Irving
1890 Shieldhill FC Shieldhill Shieldhill 1963
1893 Grangemouth Dundas UPC Grangemouth Dundas Grangemouth Dundas
1898 Larbert UPC Larbert West Larbert West 2025
1904 Falkirk Trinity Falkirk Camelon Trinity 1973
1914 Bonnybridge (miss. 1904) High Bonnybridge St Helen's

Synod of Dumfries and Galloway

  • Presbytery of Annandale (19 to 16)
    • Unchanged: Annan Erskine, Annan St Andrew's, Eskdalemuir, Johnstone & Wamphray, Kirkpatrick Fleming, Lockerbie St Cuthbert's, Lockerbie Trinity, Moffat St Mary's, Moffat Well Road, Rigg of Gretna, Waterbeck
    • Foundations: Gretna St Andrew's (1921)
    • Unions: Chapelknowe + Half Morton & Gretna = Chapelknowe & Gretna 1904. Ecclefechan East + Ecclefechan West = Ecclefechan 1915. Hightae + Dalton (from Presbytery of Dumfries) = Hightae & Dalton 1904. Kirkmichael + Lochmaben Barras = Lochmaben Barras & Kirkmichael 1902. Lochmaben Barras & Kirkmichael + Lochmaben Victoria = Lochmaben & Kirkmichael 1920.
  • Presbytery of Dumfries and Penpont (30 to 22)
    • Unchanged: Closeburn*, Dumfries Buccleuch Street, Dumfries Loreburn*, Dumfries St George's, Dumfries South, Dumfries Townhead, Dunscore Craig, Irongray, Kirkbean & Southwick, Kirkmahoe, Lochend & New Abbey, Maxwelltown, Ruthwell, Sanquhar North, Wanlockhead
    • Dissolutions: Dumfries Martyrs' (1924), Glencaple (1908)
    • Foundations: Kirkconnel (1914)
    • Unions: Burnhead + Penpont West = Scaurbridge & Burnhead 1911. Dalbeattie Burnside + Dalbeattie Colliston = Dalbeattie Park 1919. Dunscore East + Dunscore Renwick = Dunscore 1918. Glencairn + Moniaive = Glencairn & Moniaive 1911. Penpont (named Penpont East until 1911) + Thornhill = Thornhill & Virginhall 1924. Sanquhar South + Sanquhar West = Sanquhar 1916.

Synod of Glenelg

  • Presbytery of Lewis: Back (1900-07), Barvas, Bernera (1928-29), Carloway, Cross, Kinloch, Knock, Lochs, Park (1900-07), Shawbost (1900-07), Stornoway English, Stornoway High, Stornoway James Street (1900-13), Uig
  • Presbytery of Uist: Benbecula, Bernera, Carinish, Harris, North Uist, South Uist, Tarbert Harris

Synod of Lothian

  • Presbytery of Dalkeith (25 to 21)
    • Unchanged: Carlops, Cockpen, Dalkeith Buccleuch Street, Fala, Ford, Howgate, Kirkurd, Lasswade, Musselburgh Bridge Street, Musselburgh High, Musselburgh Millhill, Newbattle, Ormiston, Penicuik North, Penicuik South, Roslin, Temple & Carrington
    • Unions: Dalkeith St John's + Dalkeith King's Park = Dalkeith St John's & King's Park 1912. Gorebridge East + Gorebridge St Paul's = Gorebridge 1921. Loanhead Erskine + Loanhead South = Loanhead 1904. Newlands + West Linton = West Linton & Newlands 1910.
  • Presbytery of Haddington and Dunbar (23 to 19)
    • Unchanged: Aberlady, Cockenzie, Dirleton, Garvald, Haddington St John's, Haddington West, Humbie, Innerwick, North Berwick Abbey, North Berwick Blackadder, Pencaitland, Prestonpans, Tranent St Andrew's, Tranent Wishart, Yester
    • Plants: Gullane (1906)
    • Dissolutions: Haddington East (1903), Saltoun & Bolton (1916)
    • Unions: Cockburnspath + Stockbridge = Cockburnspath & Stockbridge 1901. Dunbar Abbey + Dunbar Erskine = Dunbar 1917. Prestonkirk East Linton North + Prestonkirk St Andrew's = Prestonkirk 1910.

Synod of Merse and Teviotdale (90 to 69)

  • Presbytery of Duns and Chirnside (24 to 19)
    • Unchanged: Allanton, Ayton, Burnmouth, Coldingham, Duns Boston, Duns East, Duns South, Grantshouse, Langton, Longformacus, Mordington (renamed Mordington & Paxton 1908), Reston, St Abbs, Swinton, Westruther
    • Dissolutions: Berwick (transferred to English Presbyterian Church 1917), Horndean (1903), Spittal (1908)
    • Unions: Chirnside Erskine + Chirnside West = Chirnside 1919. Eyemouth East + Eyemouth St John's = Eyemouth 1917. Greenlaw East + Greenlaw West = Greenlaw 1903.
  • Presbytery of Galashiels (26 to 19)
    • Unchanged: Earlston, Ettrick, Galashiels East, Galashiels Ladhope, Galashiels St John's, Galashiels South, Galashiels West, Melrose High Cross, Melrose St Aidan's, Peebles Leckie Memorial, St Boswells, Selkirk Lawson Memorial, Yarrow
    • Unions: Bowden + Newtown 1929. Innerleithen Law + Innerleithen St John's = Innerleithen 1919. Lauder East + Lauder West = Lauder 1908. Peebles St Andrew's + Peebles West = Peebles St Andrew's 1918. Selkirk Forest + Selkirk West = Selkirk West 1915. Stow North + Stow South = Stow 1901.
  • Presbytery of Hawick (18 to 17)
    • Unchanged: Canonbie, Denholm, Hawick Allars, Hawick East Bank, Hawick Orrock Place, Hawick St Andrew's, Hawick St George's, Hawick West Port, Hawick Wilton, Holywell, Langholm Chalmers, Longtown St Andrew's, Newcastleton North, Newcastleton South, Wolflee
    • Unions: Langholm North + Langholm South = Langholm Erskine 1925. Lilliesleaf + Ashkirk (from Presbytery of Galashiels) = Lilliesleaf & Ashkirk 1909.
  • Presbytery of Jedburgh and Kelso (22 to 14)
    • Unchanged: Ancrum, Coldstream Rodger Memorial, Coldstream West, Crailing, Gordon (transferred to Presbytery of Duns and Chirnside 1912), Jedburgh Abbey, Kelso Edenside, Kelso Trinity, Leitholm, Makerstoun, Stichill
    • Dissolutions: Coldstream East (1905), Eccles (1923), Nenthorn (1914)
    • Unions: Jedburgh Blackfriars + Jedburgh Boston = Jedburgh Boston Blackfriars 1917. Kelso East + Kelso North = Kelso St John's 1906. Morebattle Gateshaw Brae + Morebattle St Lawrence = Morebattle 1907. Yetholm Border View + Yetholm St James' = Yetholm 1914.

Synod of Moray and Ross

  • Presbytery of Abernethy: Abernethy (1900-04), Abernethy & Boat of Garten (1904-29), Alvie, Cromdale & Advie, Duthil (later Duthil Carrbridge), Grantown, Kingussie, Kirkmichael, Laggan, Rothiemurchus & Aviemore (1902-29)
  • Presbytery of Chanonry: Avoch, Cromarty, Fortrose, Killearnan, Knockbain, Knockbain West (1900-?), Resolis*
  • Presbytery of Dingwall: Alness, Contin (1900-07), Dingwall, Ferintosh & Maryburgh (1908-), Kilmorack, Kiltearn (1900-07), Maryburgh (1900-08), Strathconan (1900-28), Strathgarve (1900-07), Strathpeffer & Fodderty, Urquhart (1900-08), Urray
  • Presbytery of Elgin: Alves, Bellie, Burghead North (1900-06), Burghead South (1900-06), Burghead (1906-29), Elgin High, Elgin Moss Street, Elgin South, Garmouth, Hopeman, Knockando, Lossiemouth High, Lossiemouth St James', Pluscarden, Rothes, Urquhart
  • Presbytery of Forres and Nairn: Ardclach, Auldearn, Cawdor, Dallas, Dyke, Edinkillie, Forres: Castlehill, Forres: Cumming St (later High), Kinloss, Moyness, Nairn: High, Nairn: Rosebank, Rafford
  • Presbytery of Inverness: Ardersier: North (1900-07), Ardersier: South (1900-07), Ardersier (1907-29), Croy, Daviot (1900-07), Dores & Bona, Glenurquhart (1913-29), Inv: Crown, Inv: East, Inv: High, Inv: Ness Bank, Inv: Queen St, Inv: West, Kiltarlity, Kirkhill, Moy (1900-07), Petty, Stratherrick, Strathglass
  • Presbytery of Tain: Croick (1900-07), Edderton, Fearn, Invergordon, Kilmuir Easter, Kincardine (1900-10), Kincardine & Croick (1910-29), Logie Easter, Nigg (1900-22), Nigg Chapelhill (1900-22), Nigg & Chapelhill (1922-29), Rosskeen, Tain, Tain: Cadboll Place (1900-03), Tarbat

Synod of Sutherland and Caithness

  • Presbytery of Dornoch: Assynt (1900-21), Assynt Elphin & Stoer (1921-29), Clyne, Creich
  • Presbytery of Abertarff: Glenurquhart (1900-13)

Union with the Church of Scotland

As its early days were preoccupied with the aftermath of union, so its later days were with the coming union with the Church of Scotland. The problem was the CofS's position as an established church conflicted with the Voluntaryism of the UFC. Discussions began in 1909, but were complex. The Very Rev William Paterson Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland made much progress during his period in office 1919/20.[4]

The main hurdles were overcome by two parliamentary statutes, firstly the Church of Scotland Act 1921, which recognised the Church of Scotland's independence in spiritual matters (a right asserted by its Articles Declaratory of 1919). The second was the Church of Scotland (Properties and Endowments) Act 1925 (15 & 16 Geo. 5. c. 33), which transferred the secular endowment of the church to a new body called the General Trustees. These measures satisfied the majority of the UFC that the Church-state entanglement of the Church of Scotland, which had been the cause of the Disruption of 1843 had at last ended. In 1929, the merger with the Church of Scotland largely reversed the Disruption of 1843 and reunited much of Scottish Presbyterianism. On 2 October 1929, at an assembly at the Industrial Hall on Annandale Street off Leith Walk in Edinburgh, the two churches merged.[5] The Hall is now the central bus depot for Lothian Region Transport.

A relatively small minority stayed out of the union, and retained the name of U.F. Church.

The continuing UFC, 1929–present

Voluntaryism led some to oppose the union (the United Free Church Association, led by James Barr – minister of Govan and Labour MP for Motherwell). When it came, 13,000 UFC members remained outside, calling themselves the United Free Church (Continuing).[6] The phrase 'continuing' was used for five years to avoid confusion between the remaining United Free Church and the pre-union Church. It was dropped from the title in 1934. An agreement between the parties avoided the property disputes of the 1900 union. UFC members increased slightly during the 1930s, to a peak of 23,000 by 1939, but it never regained anywhere near the numbers it had had prior to the union with the Church of Scotland.[6]

The ongoing UFC continues in the 'broad evangelical' tradition.

The continuing UFC agreed to permit the ordination of female ministers in 1929.[7] The church elected a woman as its moderator in 1960,[7] when Elizabeth Barr became the first female moderator of a general assembly of a Scottish church.[8]

The General Assembly of the United Free Church of Scotland meets annually, beginning on the Wednesday after the first Sunday in June, and lasting until the Friday. Since 2008, they have committed to having the General Assembly in a central location, meeting in the Salutation Hotel, Perth.[9]

In 2016, they had 60 ordained ministers, including retired and those serving part-time. There were three students, and a further three probationer ministers. The denomination has 388 Elders, and 255 Deacons, Managers or board members who are not Elders.

In 2023, there were 22 serving ministers, along with seven Ministry Assistants. There was one Student Minister, and 22 Retired Ministers. The denomination has 300 Elders, and 183 Deacons, Managers or board members who are not Elders. The total membership (Communicants) at the end of 2023 was 1782 individuals.[10]

Ecumenical relations

The modern UFC is involved in the ecumenical movement in Scotland and is a member of Action of Churches Together in Scotland.[11] Internationally, it is a member of the World Council of Churches,[12]

Churches (present day)

In 2016, the UFC had 53 congregations in its three presbyteries.[9] By end 2023, this had reduced to 47 congregations.[10] These three presbyteries are 'The East', 'The West' and 'The North'.

  • The East: meets in Bo'ness and covers central Scotland, South Fife and the Lothians. It has 14 congregations.
  • The West which meets in Glasgow and covers Strathclyde, and has 21 congregations within its bounds.
  • The North meets in Aberdeen and Perth covering Tayside, The Highlands, Grampian and the Northern Isles. It has 12 congregations.
Church Location Web Founded Notes
Canonbie United Parish Church Canonbie, Dumfries and Galloway [1] Joint CoS / UFCS congregation
Ardeer UFC Ardeer, North Ayrshire Vacant
Largs UFC Largs, North Ayrshire Rev. Archie Ford
St Andrew's UFC, Cumnock Cumnock, East Ayrshire Rev. Graham Brown
Calder UFC, Lochwinnoch Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire [2] 1791 Rev. Tony Paton
Candlish Wynd UFC, Govanhill Govanhill, Glasgow Rev. Elizabeth MacKay
Cathcart UFC Cathcart, Glasgow [3] 1929 Vacant
Croftfoot UFC Croftfoot, Glasgow [4] Rev. Ann Deacons
Darnley UFC Darnley, Glasgow [5] 1977 Rev. David Steele
Drumchapel UFC Drumchapel, Glasgow [6] 1958 Rev. Phil Steed
Knightswood UFC Knightswood, Glasgow [7] Rev Sam Parkinson
Millerston UFC Millerston, Glasgow [8] Rev. David Miller
Shieldhall and Drumoyne UFC Shieldhall, Glasgow
Dalreoch UFC Dalreoch, West Dunbartonshire Rev Dr Sara Rettie
Milngavie UFC Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire [9] Vacant
St Andrew's UFC, Bellshill Bellshill, North Lanarkshire [10] 1762 Rev. Jason Lingiah
Chryston UFC Chryston, North Lanarkshire Rev. Steve Marr
Wishaw UFC Wishaw, North Lanarkshire Rev. Colin Mackenzie
Park Church, Uddingston Uddingston, South Lanarkshire [11] 1863 Rev. Bruce McDowall
Broxburn UFC Broxburn, West Lothian
Craigmailen UFC, Bo'ness Bo'ness, West Lothian Rev. Andrew Brown
Limefield UFC, West Calder West Calder, West Lothian
Corstorphine Community Church Corstorphine, Edinburgh [12] 1929 Rev Duncan Whitty
Ebenezer UFC, Leith Leith, Edinburgh
Wilson Memorial Church, Edinburgh Craigentinny, Edinburgh [13] 1933
Murrayfield UFC, Bannockburn Bannockburn, Stirling Rev. Gary Barclay
St Ninians UFC, Stirling Stirling, Stirling [14] 1773 Rev. Martin Keane
Menstrie UFC Menstrie, Clackmannanshire
Sauchie and Fishcross UFC Sauchie, Clackmannanshire 1913 Rev. Tom McWhirter
Burntisland Erskine UFC Burntisland, Fife Rev. Alexander Ritchie
Cornerstone St Andrews UFC St Andrews, Fife Rev. Jared Michelson
Tayport UFC Tayport, Fife
Auchterarder St Andrew's UFC Auchterarder, Perth and Kinross Rev. Jerome O'Brien
Balbeggie UFC Balbeggie, Perth and Kinross
Trinity Church, Crook of Devon Crook of Devon, Perth and Kinross [15] Rev. Jerome O'Brien
Erskine UFC, Carnoustie Carnoustie, Angus [16] Rev. Douglas Campbell
Knox UFC, Montrose Montrose, Angus Rev. Douglas Campbell
Dundee UFC Dundee, Dundee Rev. Jane McArthur
Northfield UFC Northfield, Aberdeen Rev. Andy Ellison
Torry UFC Torry, Aberdeen [17] 1929 Rev. Ian Lloyd
Lossiemouth UFC Lossiemouth, Moray [18] 1930 Rev. Gordon Mackenzie
Balintore UFC Balintore, Highland [19] 1929 Rev. Scott Cameron
Cunningsburgh UFC Cunningsburgh, Shetland
Kilmaurs Maxwell UFC Rev. John Fulton
Dounby UFC, Orkney

Churches (post 1929)

The following UFC churches, or sections of churches, are recorded in the Fasti of the United Free Church (1900-29) as having remained outside the Union of 1929 with the Church of Scotland:

  • Alloa: Moncrieff (a minority of members, who took the buildings) (Presbytery of Stirling and Dunblane)
  • Auchterarder: West (some members) (Presbytery of Auchterarder)
  • Boddam (Presbytery of Deer)
  • Bo'ness: Craigmailen (Presbytery of Linlithgow and Falkirk)
  • Broughton (Presbytery of Lanark)
  • Burntisland: Erskine (Presbytery of Kirkcaldy)
  • Campbeltown: Lochend (Presbytery of Kintyre)
  • Closeburn (Presbytery of Dumfries and Penpont)
  • Dumfries: Loreburn (Presbytery of Dumfries and Penpont)
  • Dysart: Normand Road (Presbytery of Kirkcaldy)
  • Greenock: St Andrew's Square (Presbytery of Gourock)
  • Kilmaurs: Maxwell (Presbytery of Irvine and Kilmarnock)
  • Leith: Ebenezer (Presbytery of Edinburgh)
  • Lismore (Presbytery of Lorn)
  • Lochwinnoch: Calder (Presbytery of Paisley)
  • Newport: Trinity (Presbytery of St Andrews)
  • Sanday: East ("a considerable body of members") (Presbytery of Orkney)
  • Sauchie and Fishcross (Presbytery of Stirling and Dunblane)
  • West Calder: Limefield (Presbytery of Edinburgh)
  • Westray (a majority of members) (Presbytery of Orkney)

The following congregations were formed shortly after 1929:

  • Lerwick

Moderators of the General Assembly of the United Free Church

1900 - 1929 [13]

  • Robert Rainy (1900)
  • Thomas Kennedy (1901)
  • Robert Howie (1902)
  • George Robson (1903)
  • Robert Gordon Balfour (1904)
  • Robert Rainy (1905)
  • George Clark Hutton (1906)
  • Charles Greig McCrie (1907)
  • Robert Laws (1908)
  • John Young (1910)
  • James Wells (1911)
  • Thomas Whitelaw (1912)
  • James Iverach (1913)
  • George Reith (1914)[14]
  • Alexander Robertson MacEwen (1915)
  • George Adam Smith (1916)
  • Dugald Mackichan (1917)
  • Robert James Drummond (1918)
  • William Malcolm MacGregor (1919)
  • Alexander Martin (1920)
  • Adam Philip (1921)
  • Donald Fraser (1922)
  • David Smith Cairns (1923)
  • Alexander Steven Inch (1924)
  • James Harvey (1925)
  • George Herbert Morrison (1926)
  • James Weatherhead (1927)
  • John Harry Miller (1928)

1929-

  • 1929 James Barr BD
  • 1930 Rev Charles Robson MA BD
  • 1931 Rev J Sommerville Smith MA
  • 1932 Rev David M Forrester DD
  • 1933 Rev Adam Johnston Millar
  • 1934 Rev Bruce B Blackwood BD LRAM
  • 1935 Rev James Sneddon
  • 1936 Rev Alfred M Merriweather
  • 1937 Rev Samuel W Wilson MA
  • 1938 Rev David G Young
  • 1939 Rev Prof Allan Barr DD
  • 1940 Rev Prof Allan Barr DD
  • 1941 Mr James Goldie FEIS
  • 1942 Rev Andrew McNab MA
  • 1943 James Barr BD
  • 1944 Rev Colin MacDonald
  • 1945 Rev Peter M Shepherd OBE MD
  • 1946 Rev Thomas F Crow
  • 1947 Rev H Taylor Cape
  • 1948 Rev George A Hardie
  • 1949 Rev Frank Gardner FRGS
  • 1950 Rev Peter MacLeod MA
  • 1951 Rev Bruce B Blackwood BD LRAM
  • 1952 Rev Alfred M Merriweather
  • 1953 Rev Peter C MacIntosh
  • 1954 Mr John Forrester-Paton CBE
  • 1955 Rev J Howie Haldane
  • 1956 Rev David W Roy
  • 1957 Rev John A Paterson
  • 1958 Rev James Porter MA
  • 1959 Rev Francis Cougan
  • 1960 Rev Elizabeth Barr BD
  • 1961 Rev Alexander Innes MA
  • 1962 Rev Ninian A P Bisset MA
  • 1963 Rev Henry G McCall
  • 1964 Rev Robert K MacDonald
  • 1965 Rev Robertson Taylor BD
  • 1966 Rev James Cassels MA
  • 1967 Rev Alexander Ross
  • 1968 Rev Colin MacDonald
  • 1969 Rev Albert Petrie
  • 1970 Rev Ernest Watson MA
  • 1971 Rev Duncan S Mitchell
  • 1972 Rev Henry L Brownlie
  • 1973 Rev Robert Buchan
  • 1974 Mr Robert S Clark
  • 1975 Rev A Douglas Scrimgeour MA BD ThM
  • 1976 Rev James P Young MA
  • 1977 Rev Archibald A Small
  • 1978 Rev Gregor Cameron MA
  • 1979 Rev Dr A M Merriweather CBE PH
  • 1980 Rev Joseph G McPhee
  • 1981 Mr John Gray
  • 1982 Rev David W Roy
  • 1983 Mr Edward S Nicoll DFC
  • 1984 Mr Andrew K M Rankin
  • 1985 Rev William Johnston
  • 1986 Rev James H Alexander
  • 1987 Rev Thomas A B Patterson
  • 1988 Rev Arthur M Lawless
  • 1989 Rev James Cassels MA
  • 1990 Rev Graeme B Bruce LTh
  • 1991 Rev Andrew McG Begg
  • 1992 Mr J Fergus Henderson
  • 1993 Rev John A M McFie
  • 1994 Rev John Billows
  • 1995 Rev Joseph Creelman
  • 1996 Rev Gordon L Cowan
  • 1997 Rev James D Neil BD
  • 1998 Rev John C Allan BD
  • 1999 Rev A Douglas Scrimgeour MA BD ThM
  • 2000 Rev John O Fulton BSc BD
  • 2001 Rev Archie M Ford BSc
  • 2002 Rev Colin C Brown BD
  • 2003 Rev Donald Mackenzie
  • 2004 Rev Stephen J W Matthews BD
  • 2005 Rev James G Marshall CA BD
  • 2006 Rev Andrew McMillan BD BA
  • 2007 Rev David Cartledge BA
  • 2008 Dr Donald Macdonald BSc MRSC
  • 2009 Rev Martin C Keane BA BD
  • 2010 Rev Robert Owens BA
  • 2011 Mr George H McRobb
  • 2112 Rev Iain F R Lloyd BSc BD
  • 2013 Rev Graham G Brown BSc BD
  • 2014 Rev Gary J A Barclay BD
  • 2015 Mr Andrew Scott
  • 2016 Rev Alexander Ritchie MA LLM BD MTh
  • 2017 Rev I A Boa BSc BD ThM
  • 2018 Mr John Cross
  • 2019 Rev John O Fulton BSc BD
  • 2020 No Assembly
  • 2021 Rev Dr I David Miller BA BD MTh PhD
  • 2022 Rev Archie M Ford BSc
  • 2023 Rev Andrew Downie
  • 2024 Rev Colin C Brown BD
  • 2025 Rev Martin C Keane BA BD

The dispute over assets between the Free Church and the United Free Church was satirised by Neil Munro in his Erchie MacPherson story "Erchie and the Free Church", first published in the Glasgow Evening News on 8 August 1904.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Report of the governance committee - General assembly 2023" (PDF). www.ufcos.org.uk. p. 4. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  2. ^ Churches (Scotland) Act 1905.
  3. ^ Noble, Stewart. "History of Helensburgh Parish Church". Helensburgh Heritage. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  4. ^ "William Paterson Paterson". The Gifford Lectures. 18 August 2014.
  5. ^ Edinburgh and District: Ward Lock Travel Guide 1939
  6. ^ a b Thorpe, Andrew (1994). The Longman companion to Britain in the era of the two world wars, 1914-45. London: Longman. ISBN 0-582-07771-0. OCLC 27186234.
  7. ^ a b Jacqueline Field-Bibb, Women Towards Priesthood: Ministerial Politics and Feminist Praxis (Cambridge University Press, 1991), p. 117.
  8. ^ Keith Robbins, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales: The Christian Church 1900–2000 (Oxford University Press, 2008), pp. 387–88.
  9. ^ a b Report of the Administration and Finance Committee General Assembly 2017 (PDF). 2017. p. 9. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  10. ^ a b REPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2024 (PDF). United Free Church of Scotland. p. 4.
  11. ^ "Who we are: Member Churches". acts-scotland.org/. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  12. ^ "Member churches". World Council of Churches. January 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  13. ^ John Alexander Lamb, ed. (1956), The Fasti of the United Free Church of Scotland 1900-1929, Oliver and Boyd, p. 569
  14. ^ "Looking Back: The Western Isles, 1914 In Pictures". Life and Work: the Magazine of the Church of Scotland. Church of Scotland. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  15. ^ Munro, Neil, "Erchie and the Free Church", in Osborne. Brian D. and Armstrong, Ronald (eds.) (2002), Erchie, My Droll Friend, Birlinn Limited, Edinburgh, pp. 255 - 258, ISBN 978-1-84158202-3

Sources

  • Cameron, N. et al. (eds.) Dictionary of Scottish Church History and Theology, Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1993.
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "United Free Church of Scotland".
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