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Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland

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Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, Glendale, Isle of Skye
ClassificationProtestant
ScriptureKing James Version
TheologyReformed
PolityPresbyterian polity
Origin1893
Separated fromFree Church of Scotland (1843–1900)
SeparationsAssociated Presbyterian Churches (separated 1989)
Congregations45 worldwide (29 in Scotland)
Official websitehttp://www.fpchurch.org.uk/ (closed on Sundays)

The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland (FPC Church; Scottish Gaelic: An Eaglais Shaor Chlèireach, IPA: [ˈanˈekɫ̪əʃˈhɯːɾˈçleːɾʲəx]) was formed in 1893. The Church identifies itself as the spiritual descendant of the Scottish Reformation. The Church web-site states that it is 'the constitutional heir of the historic Church of Scotland'.[1] Its adherents are occasionally referred to as Seceders or the Wee Wee Frees.[2][3] Although small, the church has congregations on five continents.

The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland is Calvinist in doctrine, worship and practice and the community believes and professes that it accurately practices and adheres to the Word of God: the Bible. The subordinate standard of the church is the Westminster Confession of Faith.

History

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Timeline showing the evolution of the churches of Scotland from 1560

Formation (1893)

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The founding date of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland can be traced to 25 May 1893, when Rev. Donald MacFarlane (1834–1926), who was the Free Church of Scotland minister of Raasay, walked out of the General Assembly in protest.

At the 1892 Free Church of Scotland General Assembly, following the example of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland and the Church of Scotland (1889), the Free Church of Scotland passed a Declaratory Act on 26 May 1892[4] relaxing the stringency of subscription to the Westminster Confession of Faith, which was widely perceived as paving the way for unification with the United Presbyterian Church.

Macfarlane was not a member of the 1892 Assembly, but he and his Kirk Session at Kilmallie recorded their protest against it.[5]

At the 1893 General Assembly, Macfarlane, who had recently been inducted as pastor of the Raasay congregation, formally protested the Act. The General Assembly rejected his requests and thus confirmed the Act. As a result, he felt compelled to separate himself from the Free Church of Scotland. In this, he was later joined by one other minister, the Rev Donald Macdonald (1825–1901) of Shieldaig. Together they constituted a Presbytery at Raasay on 28 July 1893.[6]

Growth

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The result was that a large number of elders and some congregations, mostly in the Highlands, severed their connection with the Free Church of Scotland and formed the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, along lines they considered to be more orthodox. By 1907 this body had twenty congregations and twelve ministers.

A few years after the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland was formed (in 1900), the Free Church of Scotland did indeed unite with the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland to form the United Free Church of Scotland, with a somewhat larger minority remaining outside the union and retaining the name Free Church of Scotland. Initially, some wondered if the two churches would merge, but this did not happen, partly because the grounds on which the later separation was based had been the Establishment Principle,[7] rather than the Declaratory Act, which had only been rescinded post separation by the Free Church of Scotland (post 1900). The two denominations took a different view of the 1892 Declaratory Act: the Free Church of Scotland did not regard it as having been a binding measure while the Free Presbyterians did.

In 1905, the Free Presbyterian Synod debated proposals for union with the post-1900 Free Church minority. The Synod declared that it would consider union with a church which held ‘the infallibility and inerrancy of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and the whole doctrine of the Confession of Faith, both in her profession and practice’. The Synod's assessment of the post-1900 Free Church was that ‘although she made ample profession in words’ nevertheless she ‘came far behind in her practice’. One major issue was the Free Church's employment of Professor W. M. Alexander, who had written a book which the FPs and some post-1900 Free Church conservatives believed to be ambiguous about the status of the Bible, as a lecturer in its college. A 1917 Free Church Reply to a FPC Statement of Differences stated underlined the fact that Dr Alexander had in 1905 withdrawn the book from circulation, expressed regret 'for any reflections which the book was fitted to cast on the infallibility of the Word of God' and in 1906 publicly reaffirmed his belief in the inerrancy of Scripture in these words: 'I cherish as more precious than life itself the absolute infallibility of the Word of God'. However a motion was carried at the 1918 FPC Synod which characterized the Reply as containing 'evasive statements and suggestions of compromise'.[8]

Some of the Free Presbyterian ministers preferred union with the post-1900 Free Church minority to maintaining a separate Free Presbyterian witness. In 1905 Revs John Macleod (Kames), Alexander Stewart (Edinburgh) and George Mackay (Stornoway) were accepted by the Free Church. In 1918, Revs John R Mackay (Inverness), Alexander Macrae (Portree) and Andrew Sutherland followed suit.[9]

A communion token from the Free Presbyterian Church.

The two denominations are often confused, though not as often as in the past: they were initially of a predominantly Highland background, continue to share support for the Westminster Confession of Faith, and express a socially conservative outlook. However, the Free Presbyterian Church considers it a sin to use public transport to go to church on the Sabbath,[10] while the Free Church does not. The Free Church permits the use of modern Bible translations, while the Free Presbyterian Church prescribes the exclusive use of the Authorized Version in public worship (by resolution of the Synod in 1961[11]), and as the only version recommended for use in family and private devotions.

Split in 1989

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In 1989, a splinter group formed the Associated Presbyterian Churches "following the perceived failure of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland to put into practice chapters 20 and 26 of the Westminster Confession of Faith",[12] following the suspension of Lord Advocate and Lord Chancellor Lord Mackay of Clashfern as an elder for attending the Roman Catholic Requiem Masses offered for two of his deceased fellow judges. The Moderator of Synod at the time was a minister from Zimbabwe, the late Aaron Ndebele, an Ndebele.

The FPC continues to oppose many aspects of the Catholic Church, including Mass, and has protested from time to time against figures in positions of authority including the British Royal Family attending Mass. It wrote to Prince Charles to complain of his presence at a requiem mass for one of his cousins in 2013.[13] The church maintains that the Pope is the Antichrist.[14]

Disunity in the Scottish Reformed church scene

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The Free Presbyterians believe that the denominations in Scotland adhering to the Westminster Confession of Faith should unite with it after repentance over historical retreat from the Confession. The FPC Catechism (the 2013 edition is an updated version of the original 1942-1943 edition) says: 'All Presbyterian Churches in Scotland claiming to represent the Reformed Church and who have caused or who maintain schisms contrary to the avowed Westminster Standards are bound to repent and to return to purity in doctrine, worship, government and discipline. The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland is not guilty of schism and claims to be the true heir of the Reformed Church of Scotland in doctrine, worship, government and discipline. While she certainly does not claim perfection, she maintains that all churches in Scotland should unite around her constitution and testimony'.[15]

Twenty-first century developments

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Church extension work tends to be low-key and results to be measured in the long-term in the Free Presbyterian Church. It stresses the need for the Holy Spirit to work in the soul before any spiritual life will be present, the need for the church to provide Bible-based and Christ-focused preaching, emphasizes the need for a holy life by those who claim conversion, and encourages example as well as precept in evangelism. It has not emulated other evangelical churches in their approach to reaching the secular UK. Its Catechism explains: 'Many modern churches have drama, dancing, and music bands in their worship and use sport and social entertainment to attract and retain young people; but these things are of the world and should not be countenanced by the Church of Christ for promoting the interests of the kingdom'.[16]

Public pronouncements about the current state of the nation tend to combine concern about Free Presbyterian spiritual decline with fears of increased secularization of other Reformed churches. A 2014 report to the FP Religion and Morals Committee quoted from a FP Outer Isles presbytery report, but said the issues were relevant for many other parts of the country. 'We must acknowledge the low state of religion among ourselves' it said, adding of other denominations: '...we find that many professing Christians in the Churches are actively encouraged to continue their former worldly interest in professional and amateur sport, worldly music, entertainments such as the cinema, dances, use of public houses, concerts and ceilidhs, and that many speak and dress like the world with little distinction to be found between them and their former companions'.[17]

Moderators of Synod

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Unlike the Church of Scotland and Free Church of Scotland, the annual meeting to consider the progress and direction of the church is called a Synod rather than a General Assembly. Synods are not in any particular fixed months (and may occur more than once per year) and ministers may serve as Moderator more than once. Known Moderators are:[18][19]

  • Alexander MacColl MacRae (1896)
  • George Mackay (1899)
  • Neil MacIntyre (1902)
  • John Robertson (1902)
  • John Robertson (1903)
  • John Macleod (1904)
  • John Macleod (1905)
  • Donald Beaton (1905)
  • Ewen MacQueen (1907)
  • John Robertson Mackay (1907)
  • John Robertson Mackay (1908)
  • Neil Cameron (1908)
  • Neil Cameron (1909)
  • Neil MacIntyre (1912)
  • Andrew Sutherland (1914)
  • Alexander MacKay (1916)
  • Donald Macfarlane (1917)
  • Murdo Morrison (1918)
  • Donald Macfarlane (1920)
  • Neil Cameron (1921)
  • Malcolm Gillies (1922)
  • James Macleod (1923)
  • Donald Alexander Macfarlane (1925)
  • Neil MacIntyre (1925)
  • Donald Malcolm Macdonald (1926)
  • Roderick Mackenzie (1927)
  • Ewen MacQueen (1928)
  • John Maclachlan (1929)
  • Finlay Macleod (1930)
  • William Grant (1931)
  • Donald John Matheson (1932)
  • Ewen MacQueen (1933)
  • John Tallach (1933)
  • James Andrew Tallach (1934)
  • James Macleod (1935)
  • James Macleod (1936)
  • Roderick Macdonald (1937)
  • Donald Beaton (1938)
  • John Colquhoun (1939)
  • Donald Roderick Macdonald (1940)
  • Neil MacIntyre (1941)
  • Archibald Beaton (1942)
  • John Peter MacQueen (1943)
  • James Andrew Tallach (1944)
  • Angus Finlay Mackay (1945)
  • Donald Alexander Macfarlane (1946)
  • John Tallach (1947)
  • Alexander Macaskill (1948)
  • Malcolm MacSween (1949)
  • John Angus MacDonald (1950)
  • Donald John Macaskill (1951)
  • William Maclean (1952)
  • Donald Campbell (1953)
  • James Macleod (1954)
  • Archibald Beaton (1955)
  • Fraser MacDonald (1956)
  • James Andrew Tallach (1957)
  • Donald MacLean (1958)
  • William Grant (1959)
  • Angus Mackay (1961)
  • John Colquhoun (1962)
  • Petros Mzamo (1963) (first black Moderator)
  • Lachlan Macleod (1964)
  • Donald Malcolm MacLeod (1965)
  • Angus Cattanach (1966)
  • Donald Alexander Maclean (1967)
  • Angus Finlay Mackay (1969)
  • Robert Ross Sinclair (1970)
  • Alexander Morrison (1971)
  • John Angus MacDonald (1972)
  • Donald Beaton Macleod (1973)
  • Donald Campbell (1974)
  • John Nicolson (1975)
  • Fraser MacDonald (1976)
  • Alexander McPherson (1977)
  • Donald Macleod Campbell (1979)
  • Angus Mackay (1980)
  • Donald Nicolson (1981)
  • Alexander McPherson (1982)
  • John Macdonald (1983)
  • Angus Finlay Mackay (1984)
  • Donald Beaton Macleod (1986)
  • Samuel Fraser Tallach (1987)
  • Aaron Ndebele (1988)
  • Lachlan Macleod (1989)
  • Donald John Macdonald (1990)
  • Donald MacLean (1992)
  • Donald MacLean (1993)
  • Alexander McPherson (1995)
  • Kenneth D Macleod (2000)
  • Donald John Macdonald (2001)
  • John Goldby (2002)
  • Hugh MacLean Cartwright (2003)
  • Roderick MacLeod (2004)
  • Neil M Ross (2005)
  • Keith M Watkins (2006)
  • Donald A Ross (2007)
  • Wilfred A Weale (2008)
  • George G Hutton (2009)
  • Edward A Rayner (2010)
  • Kenneth D Macleod (2011)
  • David Campbell (2012)
  • Neil M Ross (2013)
  • D Macdonald (2014)
  • Keith M Watkins (2015)
  • Douglas W.B Somerset (2016)
  • John MacLeod (2017)
  • Allan W MacColl (2018)
  • Roderick MacLeod (2019)
  • J B Jardine (2020)
  • J R Tallach (2021)
  • Donald A Ross (2022)
  • S Khumalo (2023)

Presbyteries

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The individual churches[20] of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland are each part of[21] one of six[22] Presbyteries. Presbyteries meet regularly, and all Presbyteries meet at the yearly Synod in May.

Asia Pacific Presbytery

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The Asia Pacific Presbytery covers Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The congregations in Australia[23] are found on the East Coast: one in Grafton (received 1911),[24] and one in Sydney.[25]

The congregations in New Zealand are all on the North Island: Auckland,[26] Gisborne (founded 1954), Tauranga, and Carterton.

There is one congregation in Singapore (received 2000).

Northern Presbytery

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The Northern Presbytery[27] comprises the congregations Inverness, Dingwall, and Aberdeen among others.

Outer Isles Presbytery

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The Outer Isles Presbytery consists of the congregations on the Outer Hebrides.

Southern Presbytery

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The Southern Presbytery[28] consists of the Scottish congregations South of the Scottish Highlands, and the congregations in England and North America. There is one congregation in London (founded 1898). There is one congregation in Canada, in Chesley, Ontario (founded 1902).[29] In the United States there is one congregation, in Santa Fe, Texas (received 2000).[30]

Western and Skye Presbytery

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The Western and Skye Presbytery[31] consists of the Western parts of Scotland including Skye, but also the congregation in Odesa,[32] in Ukraine (received 2002).

Zimbabwe Presbytery

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In Zimbabwe services are held in forty locations[33] with their centres in Bulawayo, Ingwenya, Mbuma, New Canaan and Zenka. The Zimbabwe mission began in 1904.

List of congregations in the UK

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Congregation Location(s) Image Founded
Aberdeen Congregation Aberdeen, Aberdeen 1963
Applecross and Shieldaig Congregation Applecross and Shieldaig, Highland
Barnoldswick Congregation Barnoldswick, Lancashire and Sandbach, Cheshire

Cheadle and Gatley, Greater Manchester

Bonar and Dornoch Congregation Bonar Bridge and Dornoch, Highland

Broadstairs Congregation Broadstairs, Kent
Bracadale Strath (Struan) Congregation Struan, Highland
Dingwall and Beauly Congregation Dingwall and Beauly, Highland
Duirinish (Vatten/Glendale) Congregation Vatten, Waternish and Glendale, Highland

Edinburgh Congregation Edinburgh, Edinburgh 1893
Farr and Daviot Congregation Farr, Tomatin and Stratherrick, Highland
Fort William Congregation Fort William, Highland
Gairloch Congregation Gairloch, Highland
St Jude's Church, Glasgow Glasgow, Glasgow 1893
Greenock Congregation Greenock, Inverclyde
Halkirk Congregation Halkirk, Thurso and Strathy, Highland
Inverness Congregation Inverness, Highland 1893
Kinlochbervie and Scourie Congregation Kinlochbervie and Scourie, Highland
Laide Congregation Laide, Highland
Larne Congregation Larne, Antrim 1988
Lochcarron and Kyle of Lochalsh Congregation Lochcarron, Kishorn and Kyle of Lochalsh, Highland
London Congregation Whitechapel, London 1898
Ness Congregation Ness, Na h-Eileanan Siar
North Harris (Tarbert) Congregation Tarbert and Stocinis, Na h-Eileanan Siar
North Tolsta Congregation North Tolsta, Na h-Eileanan Siar
North Uist Congregation Bayhead and Sollas, Na h-Eileanan Siar 1893
Perth Congregation Perth, Perth and Kinross
Portree Congregation Portree, Highland
Raasay Congregation Raasay, Highland
South Harris (Leverburgh) Congregation Leverburgh and Sheilebost, Na h-Eileanan Siar
Staffin Congregation Staffin, Highland
Stornoway Congregation Stornoway and Achmore, Na h-Eileanan Siar c. 1893
Uig Congregation Uig, Na h-Eileanan Siar
Ullapool and Lochinver Congregation Ullapool, Highland 1893

References

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  1. ^ "Who We Are". Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  2. ^ Peterkin, Tom (16 December 2002). "Spinster's £1m to Wee Wee Frees". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. ^ Cramb, Auslan (13 April 2006). "The 'sinners' set sail for the Hebrides". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. ^ MacLeod, James Lachland (Spring 1998). "THE SECOND DISRUPTION: THE ORIGINS OF THE FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF 1893" (PDF). Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology. 16 (1): 17.
  5. ^ "The Rev. Donald Macfarlane of Dingwall". Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  6. ^ "History of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland". Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  7. ^ http://www.fpchurch.org.uk/magazines/fpm/2001/April/article3.php[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ McPherson, Alexander (1974). History of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland 1893-1970. Publications Committee, Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. pp. 125–127.
  9. ^ McPherson, Alexander (1974). History of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland 1893-1970. Publications Committee, Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. pp. 108, 130.
  10. ^ Murray, Iain (1984). The Life of John Murray. Banner of Truth Trust. p. 35.
  11. ^ "Synod Resolution on Versions of the Bible – Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland". www.fpchurch.org.uk.
  12. ^ "About the APC « AP Church". 24 August 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  13. ^ FPC (2014). Proceedings of Synod Together with Reports and Accounts, May 2014. Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. pp. 9, 10.
  14. ^ "The Pope in Scripture". Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  15. ^ FPC (2013). A Catechism of the History and Principles of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. p. 40.
  16. ^ A Catechism of the History and Principles of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. FPC. 2013. p. 45.
  17. ^ Proceedings of Synod Together With Reports and Accounts May 2014. FPC. 2014. pp. 14, 15.
  18. ^ "Deceased Ministers and Probationers – Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland". www.fpchurch.org.uk.
  19. ^ "Moderators of Synod etc. – Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland". www.fpchurch.org.uk. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  20. ^ "Places of Worship". Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  21. ^ "How We Are Organised". Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  22. ^ "Galleries of FP Churches". Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  23. ^ Ward, Rowland; Humphreys, Robert (1995). Religious Bodies in Australia: A comprehensive Guide (3rd ed.). New Melbourne Press. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-646-24552-2.
  24. ^ "Grafton Free Presbyterian Church". Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  25. ^ "Sydney Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland". Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  26. ^ "Free Presbyterian Church Auckland Congregation". Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  27. ^ "Gallery of FP Churches – Northern Presbytery". Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  28. ^ "Gallery of FP Churches – Southern Presbytery". Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  29. ^ "Chesley Congregation". Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  30. ^ "FP Church Santa Fe". Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  31. ^ "Gallery of FP Churches – Western and Skye Presbytery". Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  32. ^ "Главная - Свободная Пресвитерианская Церковь Украины". Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  33. ^ "Gallery of FP Churches – Zimbabwe Presbytery". Retrieved 23 November 2015.
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