Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, Scotland Genealogy

Kilbarchan (#568)

History
Available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages under 'For non-subscribers,' then search for the parish report.

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: Records are blank October 1662–October 1672, in consequence of Mr. John Stirling, the Presbyterian Minister, having been, during that period debarred from the exercise of the ministry by the civil authority. They are blank also July 1683–June 1688, excluding two leaves containing entries for 1706, and an original register from May 1699–June 1740. The original extant 1740–1760, and the copy is continued after 1760, as the principal register. Mothers’ names not recorded until October 1672, and again omitted June 1688–March 1689. Marriages: There are no entries March 1651–February 1652. Records are blank October 1662–October 1672, for the same reason as the births. Records are also blank August 1683–December 1688, and July 1694–July 1740, excluding one entry for 1711. There is a copy of the record July 1740–February 1756, which is then continued as the principal register. Marriages are recorded until 1694; after that date they are proclamations. Deaths: The record is burials. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
No pre-1855 records.

Kilbarchan Relief Church later United Presbyterian
History— Previous to the year 1786, when this congregation originated, considerable dissatisfaction with the Established Church prevailed in the parish of Kilbarchan and surrounding districts in consequence of the many violent settlements of ministers and the unevangelical character of the ministrations from the pulpit. Some parishioners who withdrew from the Established Church connected themselves with the Relief congregation in Paisley. Application for supply of sermon in Kilbarchan was eventually made and was supplied in 1786. More than 1000 persons attended the first meeting. A church was built in 1788. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— Minutes 1788–1797 - with gaps, 1816–1873 Accounts 1789–1903 - many gaps Manager’ Minutes 1786–1872 List of Subscribers 1792 or earlier List of Purchasers of Lairs in Burial Ground 1789–1867 Library Committee Minutes 1823–1840 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, records CH3/1130.

Burntshields Associate Secession Church
History— Owing to the unpopular settlement of a new minister in Kilbarchan parish in 1739, several parishioners acceded to the Associate Presbytery. They joined with Seceders from several other parishes to form the “Correspondence of Kilmalcolm” (see that parish). The Seceders in Kilbarchan were disjoined from Kilmalcolm in 1744 to form a separate congregation. Burntshields was the name of the farm on which the Secession place of worship was built. The first minister alternately preached at Burntshields and Cartsdyke, Greenock. In 1746, the congregation included 80 communicants from Kilbarchan. At the Breach in 1747, the minister and his congregation adhered to the Associate Burgher Synod. In 1750, the congregation was considerably increased by the accession of a number of the parishioners of Lochwinnoch who were opposed to the settlement of a new minister in that parish. In 1791–1792, the members who were living in and around Johnstone, and also those living in and around Lochwinnoch, were disjoined as separate congregations, which weakened the Burntshields congregation. In 1796 this congregation joined the Original Burgher Synod. In 1839 the congregation rejoined the Established Church, but in 1843 they withdrew and joined the Free Church. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—                                                                             FHL Film Number  Baptisms                        1745–1801                        0889483 item 7 Minutes                           1744–1758, 1792–1793      0889483 item 7 Accounts                         1744–1765, 1773–1789      0889483 item 7

Bridge Of Weir Free Church
See the parish of Houston.

Kilbarchan Baptist Church
History— A church was formed here before 1820. In 1846 there were 23 members. The church ceased about 1850 and was not revived until 1904. They later joined the Congregational Union. Source: History of the Baptists in Scotland, by Rev. George Yuille, pub. 1926. FHL book 941 K2hi.

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

See also Paisley parish for information on Unitarians in Kilbarchan.

Probate Records
Return to Renfrewshire parish list