Avondale, Lanarkshire, Scotland Genealogy

Avondale (#621)

Condition of Original Registers—
Indexed: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library and family history centers. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: The regular record commences December 1698, but the preceding page contains twelve irregular entries of one family, 1681–1705, and fifteen similar entries, two families, 1713–1736. The lower portion of the page at March 1765 is cut off. A page containing irregular entries, 1755–1775, is recorded after February 1768. Four pages containing irregular entries for 1757–1802 are after December 1784. Mother’s names are not recorded until 1785 and are often omitted until 1796. Marriages: There are no marriage entries November 1739–April 1753. The record ends June 1757, but there is a separate record of proclamations, beginning February 1723 of which there are no omissions of dates. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1660–1701, 1734–1757, 1779–1916 Proclamation Register 1775–1911 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/930.

Strathaven East Mission Chapel
Proclamation Register 1820–1851 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1495.

Strathaven Free Church
History— The minister of the quoad sacra church here, with most of his congregation, “came out” in 1843. In July following they were deprived of their church and were accommodated for a time in the West Relief Church. The new church was opened in 1844. A school was opened in 1856 which was transferred to the School Board in 1881. A new church was built in 1884. The population of the parish decreased considerably. Membership: 1848, 300; 1900, 251. 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 a list of ministers.

Records—  Various Minutes 1843–1916 Note: Available at National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/999.

Strathaven First United Presbyterian Church
History— A praying society in the parish of Avondale acceded to the Associate Presbytery in December 1738. A junction was formed between this society and others of the same kind in the parishes of Bothwell, Glassford, East Kilbride, and Hamilton. In September 1739, they were publicly recognized as a congregation in connection with the Associate Presbytery. The seat of the congregation was a Chattenhill in the parish of East Kilbride. Eventually the congregation was drawn from sixteen different parishes. Due to the great distances the minister had to travel, in 1764, the Presbytery agreed that the congregation should be divided into two parts, one to the west with its seat in Hamilton and the other to the east with its seat in Strathaven. The latter was designated as the United Congregation of Strathaven, Kilbride, and Lesmahagow. A place of worship was built in Strathaven. A second church was built in 1820. In 1835, the usual attendance was 350. 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 a list of ministers.

Records—  Various Minutes 1767–1907 Baptismal Register 1852–1907 Note: Available at National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/289.

Strathaven East Relief Church
History— The Relief Church in Strathaven originated chiefly in consequence of several violent settlements which took place in some of the neighboring parishes. About 1766 the parish of Eaglesham had a new minister settled who was found objectionable by many of the parishioners. Another similar unpopular settlement took place in the parish of Shotts. The parish church of Avondale was rebuilt in 1772 and the heritors did not allow enough general seating, which angered many of the parishioners who withdrew as a consequence. In 1776, the settlement of an unpopular minister in Hamilton caused many of the parishioners there to withdraw and build a Relief Church in that town. The minister of Avondale had been involved with the confirmation of the new minister at Hamilton, and many of his parishioners were so unhappy with his actions, and generally unhappy with the Established Church after all of the unpopular settlements, that they withdrew and connected themselves with the Relief Synod. A place of worship was erected at Strathaven. They petitioned the Relief Presbytery of Glasgow for supply of sermon which was granted in January 1777 and they were organized into a congregation in March. In 1835, the usual attendance was about 1000. 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 a list of ministers.

Records—  The extent of records is unknown.

Strathaven West Church
History— By 1835 the East Church of Strathaven was full to overflowing so a number of members built a second church which was recognized by the Relief Presbytery of Glasgow that year. 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 a list of ministers.

Records—  The extent of records is unknown.

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