Glasgow Nonconformist Church Records

A nonconformist church is one that did not belong to the Established Church of Scotland. Seceders are those Presbyterian groups who broke from the Established Church and Dissenters are those groups who were of another denomination.

Note: Some Glasgow area nonconformist records are housed in the collection of the Glasgow City Archives, and we do not have information on those records. Only churches founded before 1855, with surviving pre–1855 records, are listed below.

Greyfriars, formerly Shuttle Street
History— The Act of Assembly of 1737, concerning the election of ministers, gave great offence to a portion of the inhabitants of Glasgow. Several praying societies had formed in various towns in and around Glasgow, and they eventually joined together to form a “Correspondence” meeting group. In December 1738 they petitioned the Associate Presbytery to be taken under their inspection, which was granted. They were organized as a congregation in April 1739 and built a church on Shuttle Street in 1742. In 1821 they built a nicer church on North Albion Street, which they named Greyfriars after a monastery that used to stand at that location. Their first minister was James Fisher, one of the Four Brethren honored as founders of the Secession Church. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Family History Library Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers. Records—                                                                 FHL Film Number  Baptisms 1729–1783, 1834–1870                                   0889485 item 1 Proclamations and Marriages 1743–1779                        0889485 item 1 Session Minutes 1739–1755, 1801–1823, 1827–1836      1485255 - in vault Other: Communion Rolls 1841–1951 Congregational Register 1830–1844 Sabbath School Roll of Members 1839–1951 Various Minutes 1769–1962 Various Accounts 1801–1852, 1856–1909 Seat Letting Books 1839–1951 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow record CH3/469.

Cambridge Street United Presbyterian
History— This congregation originated in 1834 with members of different Secession congregations in Glasgow, desirous of extending the interests of their denomination in the city. They selected a site for a Secession place of worship at the boundaries of barony and St George’s parishes and built a church. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Family History Library Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—                                         FHL Film Number  Baptisms,                   1835–1876         0889486 item 9 Minutes,                      1835–1863        1886221 items 4–5 Manger’s Minutes,        1833–1861        1886222 Communion Roll,          1834–1876        1886222 Other: More Communion Rolls 1834–1898 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow record CH3/535.

Duke Street, General Associate Congregation
History— This congregation originated in the Breach in 1747. The majority of Shuttle Street, now Greyfriar’s congregation, adhered to the Associate Burgher Synod and retained the property, while the minority adhered to the General Associate Anti–burgher Synod and formed the congregation of Duke Street. They first met in a hall in Queen Street until 1754 when they moved to a newly built building on the corner of Duke and Havannah Streets. Newer churches were built at the same location in 1801 and 1871. A split in the congregation occurred in 1837 when the minister was deposed and another place of worship was built in Parliamentary Road in 1839. Another separation occurred in 1840 which led to the formation of the Montrose Street congregation. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Family History Library Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— No pre–1855 records are on deposit at the National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh.

London Road
History— This congregation originated with members of different religious denominations in the eastern suburbs of Glasgow who were desirous of supplying that locality with church accommodation. After the place of worship was erected, the persons taking interest in the movement met and deliberated in reference to the religious denomination under whose inspection it should be placed, when the United Secession Church was preferred. The church opened in 1837. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Family History Library Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—                                                      FHL Film Number  Baptismal Register                  1838–1887          1485046 items 1–3 Session Minutes                     1853–1868          1485046 items 1–3 Communion Roll                      1837–1866          1485046 items 1–3 Other: Session Minutes 1838–1853, 1868–1950 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow record CH3/160.

Parliamentary Road
History— A split in the Duke Street congregation occurred in 1837 when the minister was deposed and another place of worship was built in Parliamentary Road in 1839. Duke Street was a General Associate, Anti–Burgher congregation and presumably this was also. This congregation remained somewhat independent until it and its minister joined the United Presbyterian Church in 1863. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Family History Library Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1837–1931 Cartulary 1838–1866 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow record CH3/973.

Original Secession Church
History— Unavailable

Records—                                                                FHL Film Number  Session Minutes               1808–1812, 1823–1829,                                        1837, 1841                        1562981 items 1–6 in vault Accounts                          1807–1817, 1828–1829       same Minutes                            1829–1841                         same Baptisms                          1847–1963                         same Communion Rolls              1826–1957                         same

Regent Place
History— This congregation, of 192 members and 69 adherents, were disjoined from the Duke Street congregation in 1819. A church was built in the same year. In 1849, the minister and a large portion of the congregation removed themselves and formed the Renfield Street church. A portion of the congregation remained at Regent Place and called a new minister. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Family History Library Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—                                                 FHL Film Number  Baptisms                       1825–1960              0559522 item 11 Session Minutes             1819–1863             1562982 items 9–10 in vault Congregational Minutes   1819–1865             1562983 items 1–8 in vault Other: Various other Minutes 1833–1871 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow record CH3/354.

Sydney Place
History— Conditions at the Shuttle Street, later Greyfriars, church were so crowed that in 1789, 148 members disjoined themselves from that congregation and formed another in East Campbell Street with the sanction of the Relief Presbytery. That building was later sold and a new church built in Sydney Place, Duke Street, in 1857. This was a Burgher church. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Family History Library Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—  Minutes 1788–1949 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow record CH3/847. Other: Pre–1855 Associate Secession churches with no known pre–1855 records at the National Archives of Scotland:

Wellington Street General Associate
This church originated in 1792 with members of the Duke Street congregation who lived in the western suburbs of Glasgow.

Anderston Relief Church
History— This congregation was formed in 1769 by elders from the Albion Street and Duke Street congregations. The church was built the following year. A new church was opened in1840. The congregation celebrated its centenary in 1870. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Family History Library Film #477618. More details in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—                                FHL Film Number  Minutes,1847–1866                     1886223 item 3 Other: Baptismal Register 1827–1856 Register of Interments 1840–1892 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow record CH3/591.

Hutchesontown Relief Presbyterian Church
History— This congregation began with friends of a minister who was called to the Dovehill congregation but declined. They separated from Dovehill and built a church in Hutchesontown in 1799. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Family History Library Film #477618. More details in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—                                                   FHL Film Number  Baptismal Register               1820–1854         1485046 items 4–5 Baptismal Register               1820–1872         1485260 items 1–3 in vault

Cathedral Street, formerly Dovehill
This church was founded in 1764.

East Campbell Street
This church was founded in 1791, branched off of Dovehill

John Street
This church was founded in 1798, with members from both Dovehill and East Campbell Street congregations

Anderston Free Church
History— The minister and congregation of Anderston church “came out” in 1843. The building they left stood vacant until 1849 when it was burned to ashes. The congregation worshipped for a time in Catherine Street Hall then in the Relief Church by courtesy of Dr. Struthers. A church was built of brick and opened in February 1844. A stone building was erected in 1849. The movement of population led, in 1876, to the removal of the church to a new site on University Avenue. From 1851 a mission was conducted in Anderston district. Membership: 1848,700, 1900, 889. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—                                                   FHL Film Number  Session Minutes                    1834–1862        1485261 items 2–4 Deacons Court Minutes          1844–1856         1485261 items 2–4

Bridgeton Free Church
History— Alexander Wilson, minister of Bridgeton “Chapel of Ease” and the majority of the congregation “came out” in 1843. They were deprived of the church in February 1849. The new church was opened in December of that year. The school was erected in 1874 and transferred to the School Board of Clasgow in 1874. Membership: 1848, 508; 1900, 308. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—                                             FHL Film Number  Session Minutes             1837–1867         1485042 items 3–5 Baptismal Register          1888–1932         1485042 items 3–5

Camlachie Free Church, later Whitevale
History— The church of Camlachie was vacant at the Disruption but the congregation “came out”. They continued to worship in the church, where they were joined for a time by the Free Church people from Shelleston, until deprived of it in 1849. Then they met in Camlachie schoolroom while their own church in the Gallowgate was being built. It was opened in 1850. A house at Whitevale was gifted by Mr. John Brown for a manse. In 1880 church hall and vestry were added. In 1890 the old manse was sold and the proceeds applied towards purchase of a new manse in Broompark Terrace. The church was several times renovated and improved. Active mission work has always been carried on. This was known as Camlachie Free Church till about 1879 when the name was changed to Whitevale. Membership: 1848, 250; 1900, 500. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—                                      FHL Film Number  Deacons Court Minutes 1844–1856     1485042 item 2

Martyrs Free Church
History— The minister and congregation of Martyrs parish “came out” in 1843. They were deprived of the church in 1849. During the six years 1843–1849 they paid a rent per annum to the Church Building Society for use of the church. Ejected on a week’s notice they worshiped with Free St. Andrew’s until 1850 when their new church was opened. A gallery was added in 1879 and halls etc. were erected in 1899. Membership: 1848, 118; 1900, 571. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— Minutes 1843–1855 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow, record CH3/968.

Renfield Free Church
History— This was formerly the East Campbell Street Old Light congregation. A church was built in 1823 at the northwest corner of Renfield and Gordon Streets. They joined the Church of Scotland in 1839, taking their property with them. The minister and congregation adhered to the Free Church in 1843, again carrying their property with them. The church site was sold in 1853. A new church was erected and opened in 1858 at the corner of Bath and Elmbank Streets. Membership: 1748, 713; 1900, 506. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers. Records— Various Minutes 1839–1923 Communion Rolls 1848–1852 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow, record CH3/1166.

St. Enoch’s Free Church
History— Dr. James Henderson, minister of St. Enoch’s and many of his people “came out” in 1843. They built a church forthwith on Waterloo Street. The church on Dumbarton Road, at Overnewton was erected in 1873. For some time it was known as the Melville Church. Membership: 1848, 385; 1900, 750. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—                                FHL Film Number  Baptisms,             1844–1911      0889486 item 7 Communion Roll,   1843–1934      1886221 item 2 in vault Sunday School Society Minutes 1846–1861 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow, record CH3/525.

St. John’s Free Church
History— Dr. Thomas Brown, minister of St. John’s parish, and many of his people “came out” in 1843. Their new church was opened in June 1845. The church hall was built in 1874. This congregation also had to contend with losses caused by migration of members to the suburbs. Membership: 1848, 800; 1900, 516. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914.Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— Minutes 1852–1923 Deacons Court Minutes 1852–1923 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow, record CH3/1162.

St. Mark’s Free Church
History— St. Mark’s, a Church Extension charge, was vacant at the Disruption. The congregation united with that of Brownfield church, the minister of which remained in the establishment. The united congregation worshiped in St. Mark’s Church as a congregation of the Free Church until 1848 when they were deprived of the building. In 1843 the new church in Anderston was erected. Membership: 1848, 731; 1900, 548. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— Minutes 1846–1915 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/660.

St. Matthew’s Free Church
History— In September 1843 those who adhered to the Free Church in St. Matthew’s parish were formed into a congregation. Their first church, afterwards known as West Church, was built in 1844. In 1850 a new church was erected on Bath Street. Cranstonhill and Queens Cross congregations both arose from missions conducted by St. Matthew’s. In 1886 mission premises erected in Doncaster Street became the centre of their mission work at Springbank. Membership: 1848, 750; 1900, 1128. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—  Minutes 1844–1953 Formula Book 1843–1948 Accounts 1852–1953 Communion Roll 1844–1910 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow, record CH3/971.

St. Paul’s Free Church
History— The minister of St. Paul’s Church, and most of his congregation “came out” in 1843. Anticipating the Disruption, certain leading members of St. Paul’s formed the Free Presbyterian Church Association which secured a site and arranged for the building of the new church at the corner of Frederick Street and Cathedral Street. In 1891 St. Andre’s congregation united with that of St. Paul’s retaining the name of the latter for the united congregation. See St. Andrews and worshiping in St. Paul’s Church. Membership: 1848, 530; 1900, 800. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1843–1937 Treasurers Accounts 1843–1865 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow, record CH3/1140.

St. Peter’s Free Church
History— The minister of St. Peter’s along with his congregation adhered to the Free Church at the Disruption. The church belonged to the Church Building Society. They continued to worship in it paying a rent per annum until 1847. They then worshiped in winter in the City Hall and in summer in Albion Chapel until their new church was opened in 1850. Membership: 1848, 965; 1900, 576. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—  Deacons Court Minutes 1844–1855 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow, record CH3/1266.

St. Stephen’s Free Church
History— Dr. King, the minister of this Extension Charge, and his congregation adhered to the Free Church in 1843. They continued to worship in their church until deprived of it in 1848. The church on New City Road was opened in 1850 and halls were built in 1872. At first this was a West End congregation but the growth of the city made it a central charge. Membership: 1848, 500; 1900, 719. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—                                                              FHL Film Number  Baptismal Register              1850–1883                      0889474 item 8 Communion Roll                  1838–1875 - with gaps    0889474 item 8 Marriages                            1850–1852                     0889474 item 8 Session Minutes                  1837–1871                     1562981 items 7–10 in vault Deacons’ Court Minutes       1843–1851                      1562981 items 7–10 in vault Treasurers Cash Book          1849–1921 Fund Accounts                    1843–1934 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow, record CH3/162.

Stockwell Free Church
History— A portion of East Campbell Street Old Light congregation joined the Church of Scotland in 1839 and formed Stockwell Church. They “came out” in 1843 and formed Stockwell Free Church carrying their buildings with them. Owing to changes of population the church was sold in 1886 and the congregation moved to a new church on Albert Road, Polloksheilds. Membership: 1848, 680; 1870, 810. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in source including a list of ministers.

Records— Various Minutes 1842–1964 Note: Available at the Glasgow City Archives, Glasgow, record CH3/954.

Tron Free Church
History— The congregation of the Tron Church “came out” at the Disruption. They worshiped in the City Hall until their church was opened in 1844. In 1857 the minister and part of the congregation were transferred to form the College Church. Membership: 1848, 700; 1900, 611. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in source including a list of ministers.

Records—                                                   FHL Film Number  Scroll Minutes                        1843–1847        1485042 items 6–8 Deacons’ Court Minutes          1844–1852       1485042 items 6–8

Kingston Free Church
History— The minister and congregation of Kingston Church Extension charge “came out” at the Disruption in 1843. The congregation ceased in 1884 and the members dispersed. Membership: 1848, 110; 1884, 164. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details may be given in source including a list of ministers.

Records— Births 1848–1861 - Included in the Glasgow OPRs Pre–1855 Free Presbyterian Churches with no known pre–1855: Duke Street, Gaelic Street, East Campbell Street, Hope Street, Hutchesontown, John Knox, Kingston, Lyon Street, Maryhill, Millerston, Milton, St. Andrew’s, St. David’s, St. George’s, St. Jame’s, St. Luke’s, Shettleston, Tollcross, Tradeston, Union (Laurieston), Victoria (formerly East Gorbals), Wellpark, West, Wynd, Young Street

Great Hamilton Street
History— The congregation in Glasgow and neighborhood dates back traditionally to the time of the institution of the Praying Societies in 1681. After the division of the various societies into two congregations in 1763, it was constituted a part of the Northern congregation. In 1787 the Glasgow members were included in the west congregation that met first in Sandhills then acquired a building in Calton. The congregation grew and a new church was provided on Great Hamilton Street and opened in 1819. A mission was conducted from this church beginning in 1840 and eventually obtained its own premises. A day school was also begun the same year, which was handed over to public authorities in 1870. At that time it was the second largest school in Glasgow. During the nineteenth century Great Hamilton Street was the most influential church in the denomination. It has rightly been called Aa mother of churches, for most of the Reformed Presbyterian congregations in the west of Scotland drew their origin from it. Those in the Glasgow area include: West Campbell Street (later Dover Street) formed in 1835 it became St. Vincent’s Church of Scotland in 1876 while most of the Reformed congregations joined with the Free church in that year. Southern Cumberland Street formed in 1853 it later became Renwick Free Church. St. George’s Road was formed in 1859 and it later became Grant Street Free Church. Landressy Street formed in 1863 it later became Barrowfield Free Church. Source: The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland, by W.J. Couper, pub. 1925. Family History Library Book941 K2c. This book includes a list of ministers.

Records—                                       Family History Library Film Number  Baptisms     1794–1861     0304671 item 6

Dissenters
For a list of Glasgow area dissenting churches, with their histories and information on their records, click here.