Edinburgh Nonconformist Church Records

Scotland Midlothian  Edinburgh  Edinburgh Nonconformist Church Records

Arthur Street Relief Church
History— This congregation originated in a division of the Relief congregation of Cowgate over the control of church funds. In May 1825 a petition was presented to the Relief Presbytery of Edinburgh signed by 552 persons, formerly members and sitters in Cowgate Chapel, craving to be disjoined and formed into a separate congregation, which was granted. They erected a church on Brighton Street, but this they eventually had to abandon for financial reasons. In February 1835 they purchased a place of worship on Arthur Street which had previously belonged to the Baptists. It became United Presbyterian at the union in 1847. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1834–1953 Baptisms 1849–1859 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/432.

Bristo Street Congregation
History— This church originated in the unhappy settlement of a new minister to one of the charges of the West Church, Edinburgh in 1732. Several of the parishioners withdrew from the Established Church and joined with other Seceders in Edinburgh to form societies for prayer which often met together as a general association. This association decided to apply to the Associate Presbytery, and in 1738 they were finally supplied with occasional sermon. A church was built in 1741 at Bristo Street. A second church was built in 1802. The communion roll of 1744 showed a congregation membership of 1279. The majority of the congregation, along with the minister, adhered to the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod at the Breach in 1747. The trustees of the church building, along with nine elders and a large minority of the congregation, adhered to the Associate Burgher Synod. This resulted in a dispute as to who should retain the church building. Initially the courts found in favor of the majority in 1751, but in 1752 the decision was reversed. The issue continued in the courts until 1753 when it was confirmed in favor of the minority and they again took possession of the church. The majority then built a separate church for themselves. (See Nicolson Street) In 1785, 160 members of the congregation were disjoined by the Synod and formed into a separate congregation by the Presbytery of Edinburgh. (See Broughton Place history) Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— FHL Film Number Baptisms 1772–1773 0304671 item 31 Baptisms 1773–1783 0304672 item 1 X Baptisms 1837–1860 0304672 item 1 X Note: The X means records have been extracted.

Broughton Place Associate Congregation
History— This congregation originated in a division of the Associate Congregation of Edinburgh at Bristo Street. In February 1785, 160 members of the congregation were disjoined by the Synod and formed into a separate congregation by the Presbytery of Edinburgh. They built a church on Rose Street that opened for worship in 1786. It was originally called the New Edinburgh congregation to distinguish it from the Second Associate Congregation in the city. The accommodations at Rose Street were becoming too small for the growing congregation, and they decided to build at a new site. When the new church eventually opened for worship in Broughton Place in May 1821, and the majority of the congregation moved into it, arrangements were made for an additional supply of sermon at the Rose Street Church (see that history). Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Extent of records is unknown.

Canongate United Presbyterian Church
History— Mission work had been conducted by the Broughton Place congregation in the Canongate since 1830. A church was built and opened in November 1869 and the members applied to the Presbytery in February 1871 to be received as a congregation, and they were regularly congregated in March 1871 with 113 members. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Extent of records is unknown.

College Street South Relief Church
History— When in 1764 the settlement of an objectionable minister to the parish church occurred, a number of parishioners withdrew from the Established Church and eventually applied to the Relief Synod for supply of sermon. A church was built and opened for worship in 1766. It was rebuilt in1797 and again in 1857. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1765–1785, 1790–1961 Baptismal Register 1766–1783 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/433.

Cowgate, later Bread Street Relief Presbyterian Church
History— In 1818 a number of individuals who had purchased the English Chapel in the Cowgate applied for the sanction of the Edinburgh Presbytery that it might be erected into a Chapel of Ease connected with the Church of Scotland, but were refused. They then applied to the Relief Presbytery of Edinburgh as a forming congregation and were received. The congregation split in 1825 over the question of the control of church funds (see also Arthur Street history). The group remaining abandoned the chapel in the Cowgate for financial reasons in 1831 and built a church on Bread Street. They sold the Cowgate property to a Secession congregation then forming, called the Infirmary Street Church (see that history). Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— FHL Film Number Baptismal Register 1829–1874. 1484433 items 4–7 There is a duplicate of 1829–1860 0304671 item 2 Session Minutes 1831–1854 1484433 items 4–7 Managers’ Minutes 1838–1853. 1484433 items 4–7

Davie Street Original Secession Church
History— This congregation was founded about 1825, possibly as a congregation of the Constitutional Presbytery, and joined the Original Secession Synod when it was founded in 1827. It then joined the Free Church in 1852. (See McCrie-Roxburgh Free Church.) Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers. Records— FHL Film Number Baptisms 1825–1856 0889474

Other: Various Minutes 1808–1885 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/496.

Infirmary Street United Associate Church
History— This congregation formed from a portion of the Bristo Street congregation who were dissatisfied with the calling of an associate minister in 1828. They disjoined themselves and formed a separate Original Seceders congregation. They purchased the Cowgate chapel which had been abandoned by the Relief congregation there. It was sold to the Roman Catholics in 1856 and a church was purchased on Infirmary Street. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1828–1958 Baptismal Register 1838–1855 Marriage Register 1844–1855 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1014.

Lothian Road United Associate Congregation
History— This congregation originated in 1827 with a number of persons belonging to different Secession congregations. They first rented a place of worship in Gardner’s Crescent. They then erected a place of worship on Lothian Road about 1830. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— FHL Film Number Baptismal Register 1831–1875 0889481 item 1 Other: Session Minutes 1827–1976 Cash Book 1829–1903 Communion Rolls 1850–1866 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/417.

Nicolson Street General Associate, later United Secession Presbyterian Church
History— This congregation originated with the majority of the Bristo Street congregation who adhered to the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod at the Breach in 1747. (See the Bristo Street history.) When they lost their right to the Bristo Street building, even though they were the majority, they worshiped for a while in the open air then in rented accommodations before purchasing land to build a church, which was built on Nicolson Street in 1754. A new church was built in 1819. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Baptisms 1831–1856 List of Members 1831 Various Minutes 1833–1837, 1843–1960 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/617.

Portsburgh and Lauriston Place United Presbyterian Church
History— This congregation originated with a party from the Nicolson Street congregation who withdrew from the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod because of a dispute over the form of administration of the bread as part of the Lord’s Supper. They eventually joined the Relief Synod. In 1792, when without a minister, they applied to the Associate Burgher Presbytery of Edinburgh to be taken under their inspection and were received. A church was built in Vennel, Portsburgh in 1792, and rebuilt in 1828. A new church was built in Lauriston Place in 1859. The church at Portsburgh was retained as a mission church, and then was formed into a separate congregation 1860. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1796–1958 Annual Reports 1835–1928 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1152.

Potterow, later Hope Park United Presbyterian Church
History— This congregation originated with a part of the Nicolson Street congregation, during the vacancy following the death of the first minister in 1788, who wanted to obtain a certain new minister. Because the remaining members would not consent, they separated from them and, with the consent of the Presbytery, formed a congregation in Potterow in 1792. Their church was built in 1796. In 1805 the minister and the majority of his congregation withdrew from the General Associate Synod and joined the newly–formed Constitutional Presbytery, which afterwards merged into the Associate Synod of Original Seceders. The majority retained possession of the property but the minority took the issue to court. The court eventually found in favor of the minority and the majority was deprived of a place of worship, but they were compensated by the minority with a sum of money deemed equivalent to their interest in the property. They then built a new church on West Richmond Street and removed to it with their minister in 1813. Old Potterow church was sold in 1866 and a new church opened in Hope Park in 1867. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— FHL Film Number Births and Baptisms 1790–1857. 1484435 items 4–5 There is a duplicate of the above record 0889474 item 6 Congregational Minutes 1792–1851 1484435 item 7 Minutes 1801–1824, with Baptisms 1806–1810 1484435 item 6 Session Minutes 1825–1838 1484435 item 2 There is a duplicate of the above record 0889474 item 5 Session Minutes 1851–1865 1484435 item 3 There is a duplicate of the above record 0889474 item 5 Note: Available at National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/115, 117.

Queen Street or St. Bernard’s and Dean Street United
History— This congregation, at first called St. Bernard’s, originated with certain Seceders and others who were desirous of having a place of worship in connection with the United Associate Synod in the district of Stockbridge. In 1829, they purchased a church in Dean Street which had been built, but not completely finished, by a Relief Church congregation who put it up for sale. In 1861, the majority of the congregation removed with their minister to the Queen Street hall. Three elders and ninety nine members of the congregation remained at the Dean Street church and formed a new congregation, which was supplied with sermon by the Presbytery of Edinburgh.

Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1829–1929 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/389.

Rose Street United Presbyterian Church
History— When the proposal was made to build a church at Broughton Place (see that history), a certain number of members felt that the site was too distant and the design for the new church too expensive. When the new church opened for worship in May 1821 and the majority of the congregation moved into it, arrangements were made for an additional supply of sermon at the Rose Street Church, and in December 1821 the Presbytery disjoined 350 members and constituted them as the congregation of Rose Street. The Rose Street church was rebuilt in 1830. In 1872, the Rose Street church was sold and a new church was built in Palmerston Place. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1822–1970 Baptismal Register 1854–1928 Communion Roll 1824–1887 Poor Fund Accounts 1833–1850 Printed Missionary Society Reports 1832–1874 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/950.

St. James Place Relief Church
History— This congregation originated in the overflowing attendance at the College Street Church in 1796. The parties forming it built a place of worship in West Port which they soon found too small and inconvenient. They sold it to a congregation in connection with the Reformed Presbytery who afterwards rebuilt it. They erected another church in St. James place and removed to it in December 1800. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in source.

Records— Various Minutes 1796–1956 Baptismal Register 1792–1827, 1833–1921 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/722 and CH3/721.

Other United Presbyterian Churches
Other pre–1855 congregations, for which extent of records is unknown, include: • Roxburgh Place, formed in 1808 and given “quoad sacra” status in 1833. • Bethel Relief Church was formed prior to 1831 and merged with the Arthur Street congregation in 1842. (See Arthur Street congregation.) • North Richmond Street Church was formed in 1844 by those who withdrew from the Bread Street Church. They united with the Henderson Church in 1867. • West Richmond Street Church was formed in 1805 by those who withdrew from the Potterrow Church along with their minister. They built a church in West Richmond Street in 1813. • The Newington Church was formed in 1848.

Cowgate Free Church
History— After the Disruption, Lady Effingham supported a mission in the Cowgate district. About 1852 the Free New North congregation assumed responsibility for this work. The congregation grew and the charge was sanctioned in 1859. A church was soon built. Membership: 1860, 177; 1900, 842. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— No pre–1855 records.

Dean Free Church
History— At the Disruption in 1843, the minister of the quoad sacra parish of the Dean, along with practically the whole of his congregation, adhered to the Free Church. They were expelled from their church and built another in Lynedoch Place in 1844. When the St. Andrew’s Free Church transferred to a site in close proximity, it was found necessary to move. A new church was built at Belford Bridge and opened in 1889. Membership: 1880, 249; 1900, 330. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— FHL Film Number Baptisms 1845–1900 0889486 item 2

High Free Church
History— At the Disruption both ministers of the High Kirk adhered to the Free Church. For some time the congregation worshipped in the Music Hall, on George Street. As part of the general plan of the new college buildings a church was erected at the head of the Mound and opened in 1850. Mission premises were secured in the Lawnmarket. The district which was mainly residential rapidly changed with hotels, offices, warehouses, etc., taking the places of the old dwellings. Membership: 1848, 778; 1900, 415. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1843–1914 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/967.

Holyrood Free Church
History— This congregation was started as a mission in 1846 through the liberality of the Duchess of Gordon, under supervision of the minister and session of Free St. Luke’s. The charge was sanctioned by the Assembly in 1849. The church at the foot of the Canongate, was built and opened in 1850 and a manse was erected at St. John’s Hill. Later the manse was sold and a new manse purchased at 23 Spring Gardens. Membership: 1859, 318; 1900, 463. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1849–1910 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/961.

Lady Glenorchy’s Free Church
History— In 1843, the minister of Lady Glenorchy’s parish and the entire congregation, except two persons, joined the Free Church. The intention of Lady Glenorchy who built the church in 1774 was that it should be in communion with but independent of the Church of Scotland, without a parish or legal endowment. In 1819 the original constitution having been altered by Act of Parliament, the parish was assigned to Lady Glenorchy’s Chapel under the Chapels Act, 1834. The trustees believed that by the repeal of the Chapel’s Act the chapel reverted to its independent position and continued the congregation in possession. In 1844 an action by the Presbytery of Edinburgh was decided in its favor, against the trustees, and the congregation was ejected in November 1844. They worshiped in the hall of the High School until the church built in Greenside Place was opened in May 1846. A week day school founded by Lady Glenorchy was carried on by the congregation until 1897. Membership: 1846, 750; 1900, 704. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— FHL Call Number Baptisms 1843–1856 941.445/E1 K2lgf Other: Various Minutes 1843–1956 Communion Roll 1849–1853 Accounts 1854–1925 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/723.

McCrie, Roxburgh Free Church
History— The Davie Street Original Secession Church united with the Free Church in 1852, and in 1858 it took the name of McCrie Church. It was reduced to a mission station in August 1885. In 1886 the congregation united with that of Roxburgh Church. The united congregation took rank as a sanctioned charge under the designation of McCrie-Roxburgh. The Roxburgh church building was sold and the united congregation worshiped in the McCrie church. Membership: 1855, 288; 1885, 182; 1886, 294; 1900, 425. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— See the Davie Street Original Secession Church.

Morningside Free Church
History— Thomas Addis, minister of Morningside parish, with many of his people “came out” in 1843. For a few Sabbaths they worshipped in the house of Dr. Chalmers, Churchhill, filling rooms and lobbies while the minister preached from the staircase. During the summer they met in a tent erected in a neighboring field. In winter they obtained the use of a schoolroom which before had been refused. They new church was opened in January 1844. Thirty years later it was enlarged and remodeled. Membership: 1848, 220; 1900, 676. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1843–1900 Note: Available at National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/421.

New College Free Church
History— Unavailable

Records— Various Minutes 1843–1925 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/885.

New North Free Church
History— The minister of New North Church adhered to the Free Church in 1843. They worshiped in various shared churches until their own church on Forest Road was opened in 1848. The congregation fostered the work in the Cowgate until it reached the status of a sanctioned charge. Membership: 1848, 650; 1900, 562. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1843–1941 Baptismal Register 1853–1939 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/468.

Newington South United Free Church
History— When the minister of Liberton adhered to the Free Church in 1843, a site could not be secured for a new church in Liberton. With the support of four elders from Liberton and four from Newington quoad sacra parish, whose minister did not “come out”, a new congregation of Newington Free church was formed. A church was built in South Clerk Street the same year. Membership: 1850, 608; 1900, 460. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers. Records— FHL Film Number Scroll Minutes 1848–1854 1484435 item 1 Session Minutes 1855–1856 1484435 item 1

Roxburgh Free Church
History— Alexander Gregory, minister of Roxburgh parish with many of his congregation “came out” at the Disruption. They were joined the same year by the Relief congregation from Roxburgh Terrace Church. Having to vacate their former premises they worshiped for a time in Lancastrian School, Davis Street. A new church was built in Hill Square (at Hill Place) and opened in 1847. In 1886 the congregations of Roxburgh and McCrie churches were united as the McCrie-Roxburgh Church. (See that history. Membership: 1848, 258; 1886; 280. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers. Records— Various Minutes 1843–1920 Accounts 1843–1853 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1194.

St. Bernard’s Free Church
History— The minister of the chapel-of-ease in West Claremont Street, with the majority of the elders and people “came out” in 1843 and formed St. Bernard’s Free Church congregation. Until the church in Silvermills was ready for occupation they worshiped in Tanfield Hall. Sunday schools were opened in five of the adjoining streets. A primary school was held in a building erected on ground adjoining the church. The school was discontinued in 1874, the buildings being used as church halls. The brick church of 1843 was replaced by a new church built on the same site opened in 1856. Membership: 1848, 750; 1900, 568. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1843–1889 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/388.

St. Columba’s Free Church
History— At the Disruption, the minister of the Gaelic chapel of ease, together with every member and adherent of his congregation, joined the Free Church. They were not required to leave the church until December 1843. They then worshiped in the High School until February 1845 when they moved to the brick building in Lothian Road, vacated by Free St. George’s. A new church on Cambridge Street was built and opened for service in 1851. In 1864 the name St. Columba’s was adopted. Many coming from the Highlands turned naturally to St. Columba’s as their ecclesiastical home. Membership: 1848, 416; 1900, 468. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1843–1948 Baptismal Register 1851–1855 Communion Roll 1849, 1851, 1853–1901 Rolls of Heads of Families 1836–1852 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/709.

St. David’s United Free Church
History— The minister of St. David’s, with the majority of his congregation, adhered to the Free Church in 1843. The church in Morrison Street was built in 1844 and rebuilt in 1859. The district, originally suburban, greatly changed in character, and the church became a center of aggressive Home Mission work. Membership: 1848, 285; 1900, 612. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers. Records— FHL Film Number Session Minutes 1843–1845 1484433 item 8

St. George’s Free Church
History— Dr. Robert S. Candish, minister of the parish of St. George’s had taken a prominent part in the non intrusion controversy and along with many of his congregation adhered to the Free Church in 1843. As a place of worship they rented for a time a brick building in Lothian Road. A new church on a site nearly opposite the entrance to the West Kirk was opened in 1845. This building was bought up in 1866 by the Caledonian Railway Company whose station covered the site. A new church was erected in Shandwick Place and opened in 1869. Membership: 1848, 918; 1900, 1231. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1843–1911 General Sustentation Find Accounts 1843–1854 Baptismal Register 1845–1854 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/965.

St. Luke’s, later Queen Street Free Church
History— Alexander Moody (afterwards Dr. Alexander Moody Stuart), minister of St. Luke’s parish, with his congregation, “came out” in 1843. On a prominent site on Queen Street a new church was built and opened in 1852. In 1891 the congregation united with that of the Tolbooth, the United Congregation worshiping in St. Luke’s building under the name of Queen Street. (See also the history of the Tolbooth church.) Membership: 1848, 578; 1890, 367; 1893, 531; 1900, 623. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1837–1955 Baptismal Register 1843–1947 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/781&amp;782.

St. Mary’s Free Church
History— At the Disruption Dr. Henry Grey, minister of St. Mary’s and a large portion of his congregation adhered to the Free Church. A new church was built in Barony Street. In 1862, the congregation moved to the building which had been erected on Albany Street. A member gifted a house to Albany Street for a manse. In 1874 this was sold and a manse purchased in Bellevue Crescent. The district was originally residential. The population drifted largely to the west and south and the church became surrounded by offices, warehouses, loading houses, etc. Membership: 1848, 330; 1900, 825. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1843–1939 Communion Record 1843–1936 List of Office Bearers 1843–1928 Accounts 1843–1861 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/721.

St. Paul’s Free Church
History— This church, built mainly at the expense of Miss Agnes Hunter, Glencorse, was so held that it remained the property of the congregation when, with their minister, they joined the Free Church at the Disruption. Social conditions greatly altered in the district through drifting of the population to the suburbs. Membership: 1848, 500; 1900, 537. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers. Records— Various Minutes 1843–1932 Communion Roll 1845–1851 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/455.

St. Stephen’s Free Church
History— The minister of the parish had warmly espoused the Non–Intrusion cause, but shrinking from the sacrifice involved did not “come out” in 1843. The adherents of the Free Church in the parish secured a temporary place of worship in Station House, Wemyss Place. In 1846 the property was purchased and adapted for congregational use. Mission work was conducted in Jamaica Street. Membership: 1848, 491; 1900, 423. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers. Records— Cash Book 1846–1851, 1862– 1881 Baptisms of Dudhope Free Church 1853–1859. Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/570.

Tolbooth Free Church
History— The minister of the Tolbooth Church, William King Tweedie, and many of his congregation “came out” in 1843. They bought the Original Secession Church on Infirmary Street and were in occupation by the month of July. The situation, however, was inconvenient and in 1851 the building was sold. The congregation worshiped in the Music Hall until the new church in St. Andrew Square was erected. At the union in 1891 of the congregation with that of St. Luke’s, this church also was sold. (See St. Luke’s Queen Street history) Membership: 1848, 975; 1890, 267. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1843–1891 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/120.

Tron, later Craigmillar Park Free Church
History— The members who formed this congregation worshiped for a time after the Disruption in hired halls, being known as the Henderson Church. In 1848 a building on High Street was bought and adapted to church purposes and the congregation adopted the name of the Free Tron. Here they were joined by a small congregation which met in Leith Wynd, and by the remnant of a Relief Congregation which met in Roxburgh Terrace. In 1875 the High Street building was sold and a large church was erected on Chambers Street. In 1890 the congregation moved further to the south, having built a new church, and became known as Craigmillar Park Free Church. Membership: 1849, 300; 1881, 290; 1898, 175; 1900, 235. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers. Records— Various Minutes 1801–1848 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/428.

West Port Free Church
History— This congregation owed its origin to Dr. Chalmers. In 1844 he began work in the West Port. It was estimated that in a population of 2000 about 1500 were utterly without religion. He organized a system of district visitation and opened a school in the loft of a disused tannery where also Sabbath services were held. The charge was sanctioned by the Assembly in 1847 when the West Port Church was opened. In 1884 the large church at the entrance of the West Port was erected, the old church being retained as a mission hall. Membership: 1848, 313; 1900, 1488. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Minutes 1844–1957 Baptismal Register 1845–1878 Communion Roll 1847–1876 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1153.

Other Free Churches
Other pre–1855 Free Churches, for which the extent of records is unknown, include: • Buccleuch and Greyfriars’ (Old and New) both formed in 1843, they united in 1897. (See map following Section SE – 3) • Fountainbridge begun in 1848 as a mission; it was sanctioned in 1853. (See map following Section SW – 4) • Knox’s formed in 1843; it was first called the Leith Wynd Chapel. (location unknown) • Pilrig as formed in 1843. (See map following Section NE – 3) • Pleasance was formed in 1852 as a mission and sanctioned in 1859. (See map following, Section SE – 1) • St. Andrew’s was formed in 1843 and served as a start for several mission churches. (location unknown) • St. Cuthbert’s was formed in 1843 (location unknown) • St. John’s was formed in 1843; it became a center of Home Mission work. It united with Cowgate head in 1893. (location unknown)

Martyr’s Reformed Church, later Free Church
History— There were Cameronions in the area of Pentland, Midlothian, as early as 1680, but there were no congregations. Several separate congregations were formed in Scotland in the late 1770s. A congregation in Pentland was supported largely by members from Edinburgh. The Pentland church was officially sanctioned in 1787. The congregation was moved to Loanhead in 1792. A congregation in Edinburgh was finally disjoined from Loanhead in 1818. A church had been purchased from the Relief congregation in 1808 and a new church was later built in 1861. In 1875 membership was 300 and in the 1876 this and most Reformed Church congregations, united with the Free Church. Source: The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland: its congregations, ministers, and students, by W. J. Couper, pub. 1925. FHL book 941 K2c.

Records— Baptismal and Marriage Registers 1805–1896 Deaths 1805–1846 Congregational List 1805–1890 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1198. Other: Roll of Members 1804–1911 Various Minutes 1805–1974 Cash Book 1804–1870 Note: Available in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH13/1.

Other Nonconformist Churches
Click here to see a list of other Edinburgh Nonconformist churches and their records.