Perth Nonconformist Church Records

Scotland Perthshire  Perth

Here is a list of the pre-1855 nonconformist churches in Perth with information on their histories and records. Seceders are Presbyterian groups who broke from the Established Church and Dissenters are groups who were of a different denomination.

First Secession South, later Wilson United Presbyterian Church
History— This congregation originated in the secession of the minister of Perth from the Established Church in 1733. A great majority of his congregation adhered to him, and large numbers were speedily added to it from the surrounding parishes. In 1740 a place of worship was erected. At the "Breach" in 1747, part of the congregation adhered to the Associate Burgher Synod and retained the property. The other part of the congregation adhered with the minister to the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod and took possession of the North Secession church, see the history of that church. In 1800, the minister separated from the Associate Synod along with part of his congregation and formed the Original Associate Burgher Synod, Old Light Burghers. This situation continued until 1819 when the question of which group had right to the possession of the church was finally settled in court, and the original associate group withdrew. This latter group (see Kinnoull Street Old Light Burghers below) reunited with the Established Church of Scotland in 1839, while the former became United Secession in 1820 and United Presbyterian in 1847. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #. More details are given in the source.

Records—  Baptismal Register 1748–1962 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1284/36.

North General Associate Anti-burgher Church
History— This congregation originated 1747 with the separation of the minister and the minority of the First Secession Church who adhered to the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod while the majority adhered to the Associate Burgher Synod and retained the property. A church was built in 1749. A second was built in 1792 with seating for 1404. At the union of the two great branches of the Secession in 1820, the minister protested the union and withdrew with a portion of the members, and with them formed another congregation, Old Light Anti-burghers or Original Secession. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film # More details are given in the source.

Records— FamilySearch Library Film Number North Church:  Baptisms 1740–1854 item 1 X Marriages 1740–1741, 1778–1786  item 1 X Note: The X means records have been extracted. Other: Minutes 1739–1906 Manager Minutes 1781–1839 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/507.

Original Secession Church
Minutes 1831–1840, 1919–1928 Accounts 1845–1914 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/966.

Craigend Anti-burgher United Presbyterian Church
History— Craigend is a village in the East parish of Perth, 3 miles south of the city center. This congregation originated with members of the congregation of Abernethy and the North Antiburgher congregation of Perth who were desirous of having a place of worship in their own connection more conveniently situated for them. Their church was built in 1780. This congregation became United Secession in 1820 and United Presbyterian in 1846. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film # More details are given in the source.

Records— Baptismal Register 1827–1852 Various Minutes 1783–1974 Collections 1785 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/415.

East, First Relief Church
History— Two ministers were sent by the Relief Synod on a mission tour to the north in 1785. They found a number of persons connected with the Established Church, who were favorably disposed towards the Relief Synod, to whom they preached. Soon after they applied for and obtained supply of sermon from the Relief Presbytery of Dysart. A church was built in 1786, and a new church opened in 1863. In 1837, the church was stated to seat 902 persons. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film # More details are given in the source.

Records— Session Minutes 1806–1911 Manager’s Minutes 1798–1829 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/366.

Canal Street Relief Church, later United Presbyterian, extinct
History— This congregation originated with a minority of the First Relief, now the East congregation, who preferred another candidate to the one elected by the majority in 1807. In order to obtain this person, they formed a separate congregation. In 1816 they moved to a chapel on Canal Street. In 1818 they took possession of the Independent Chapel on Canal Street. In 1851 the chapel was sold back to an Independent congregation, and the members, who had adhered to the United Presbyterian Church, dispersed themselves among other congregations in the town and this one became extinct. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film # More details are given in the source.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Kinnoull Street Old Light, later Free Church, extinct
History— This congregation, originally Old Light, joined the Church of Scotland in 1839, and "came out" with their minister in 1843. When the minister retired in 1870, the congregation was discontinued and the members joined other churches. Membership: 1848, 139; 1870, 66. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film # More details are given in the source.

Records— Minutes 1838–1869 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/767.

Perth Presbytery of Original Seceders
Records— Minutes 1843–1940 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1401.

St. Leonard's Free Church
History— John Milne, minister of St. Leonard's Church Extension charge, with most of his office bearers, and the bulk of his people, "came out" at the Disruption. They worshiped in the North Secession Church, afterwards known as the Wilson Church, and the Original Secession Church, until their own church was ready for occupation in October 1843. School buildings and a manse were also provided. A new church was erected in Marshall Place in 1885. Membership: 1848, 900; 1900, 648. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film # More details are given in the source.

Records— Minutes 1836–1844, 1858–1877 Deacons Court Minutes 1844–1882 Accounts 1845–1877 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/545.

St. Stephen's Free Church
History— The minister and almost the entire congregation of the Gaelic church "came out" in 1843. After a few weeks they were deprived of the church and met for worship first in the Guild Hall and then in a church on Kinnoul Street, which later became part of Messrs. Pullar's works. The church in New Row was erected in 1846, and the manse in 1852. A new church was built in 1878, the old church passing to St. Paul's congregation. The name was changed to St. Stephen's in 1886, when the Gaelic service was discontinued. From that date on the membership steadily increased. Membership: 1848, 240; 1900, 724. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols, pub. 1914. Film #. More details are given in the source. Records— Minutes 1843–1914 Communion Roll 1852–1923 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/697.

Middle Free Church
History— The minister of the Middle Parish Church and the majority of his congregation "came out" at the Disruption. They worshiped in the old Wesleyan Church, South Street, until their own church was opened in October 1843. A new church was erected on North Tay Street in 1887. Membership: 1848, 715; 1900, 641. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #. More details are given in the source.

Records— Baptisms 1845–1878, 1782–1784 Marriages 1845–1880 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1283.

West Free Church
History— The minister of the West Church and the great majority of the congregation "came out" in 1843. They worshiped in the Independent Chapel until their own church in Glover's Yard was ready for occupation. A new church, with halls, etc., was erected on Tay Street in 1871. Membership: 1848, 773; 1900, 803. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols, pub. 1914. Film # More details are given in the source.

Records— The extent of pre-1855 records is unknown.

Perth Glasite Church
History— John Glas (1695–1773) was the minister of Tealing parish and was suspended from his pulpit because of his radical teachings. He set up a church in Dundee whose members became known as Glasites. In 1733 they built their first meeting house in Perth. Other churches followed in Scotland and England. His son-n-law, Robert Sandeman, exported the faith to America where its followers became known as Sandemanians. Source: The Internet at www.dundee.ac.uk/archives/ms009.htm.

Records— Correspondence 1790–1896 Exhortations 1848–1877 List of Church Members in the United Kingdom and North America c.1762–1856 Records of Glasite congregations throughout Britain, particularly Edinburgh and London Note: Available in manuscript form at the Dundee University Archives, Dundee, Scotland.

Independent Congregational Churches
History— The first Congregational minister in Perth served for eighteen months beginning in October 1794, and a chapel was purchased for worship. It was called Paul Street Chapel. A congregation was not formed until 1798. Shortly after, they moved into a newly-built Tabernacle on South Street. In 1809 two of the lay pastors, and about twenty members, left the church, and formed a Baptist congregation. The Congregational group was eventually evicted from the Tabernacle by the Baptists and a new chapel was built on Canal Crescent in 1810. In 1824 they moved to a newly-built and larger place of worship on Mill Street. In 1896, this church united with the Perth Evangelical Union Church, formed in 1856, to form the Congregation Church of Perth. In 1851, a new church was formed in Canal Crescent by members of the Mill Street church. It was never a strong congregation and it closed in 1872. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960. Family History Library book. Further details are given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of pre-1855 records is unknown. For information write to: The United Reformed Church, Scottish Synod Office PO Box 189 240 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BX Scotland

Baptist Churches
History— Our source for the history of Baptist churches does not include the Tabernacle church, mentioned in the history of the Congregationalists above. We have no other history for this church. Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary of Scotland for 1846/51 states that there were Baptist and General Baptist places of worship in Perth. Baptists were included among Cromwell’s troops posted to Perth during the last 17th century. Again in 1784 there were Baptists meeting and witnessing in Perth. But it was not until the Haldane brothers converted from Congregationalist to Baptist beliefs in 1808 that a church was constituted with twelve members. Two years later it consisted of eighty members with four elders, four deacons, and two preachers. They met in the Tailors’ Hall, High Street. In 1830, they built a church on South Street, with seating for about 200. In 1891 new premises were purchased. Source: History of the Baptists in Scotland, by Rev. George Yuille, pub. 1926. Family Hisotry Library book. More details may be given in the sources including list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For information write to Baptist Union of Scotland 12 Aytoun Road Glasgow G41 5RT Scotland

Perth Wesleyan Methodist Church
History— A congregation was formed and a place of worship was purchased in 1814 and rebuilt the following year. They later moved to another location. This society was still in existence in 1947. Records— The extent of records is unknown. For information write to one of these: Perth Methodist Church Methodist Archives and Research Centre Scott St, John Rylands University Library of Manchester Perth PH2 8LU 150 Deansgate Scotland Manchester M3 3EH England

Perth Episcopal Churches
History— The History is unavailable.

Records— St. John the Baptist: 1802–1984: registers include baptisms, burials and services, accounts, plans and photos, miscellaneous finance papers, correspondence, minutes and records of St Andrew's chapel and school.1834–1963: Minute books, reports, legal papers etc. St. Ninian's Cathedral: 1846–1984: registers include, baptisms, marriages and burials, minutes, accounts, plans, drawings and photos, miscellaneous papers including annual reports.19th century, 20th century deeds, minute books and miscellaneous records. Note: Available in private collection. Make enquiries to: National Register of Archives Scotland HM General Register House Edinburgh EH1 3YYScotland

Roman Catholic Church
History— This church was founded in 1821 but was served first from Stobhall until 1823 then from Dundee. The first resident priest was installed in 1830. It is dedicated to St. John the Baptist.

Records— Baptisms 1831–1856 Marriages 1833–1856 Note: Now available online for a fee at www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk, record RH21/41.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Records—                                   FHL Film Number  Record of Members 1847–1853       item 6