Abbeygreen Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Abbeygreen Church |
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| 55°38′26″N 3°53′13″W / 55.64057°N 3.886878°W | |
| Denomination | Free Church of Scotland |
| Churchmanship | Christian, Protestant, Presbyterian, Reformed |
| Website | Abbeygreen, Scottish Reformed Conference |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Abbeygreen Parish |
| Presbytery | Glasgow |
Abbeygreen Church is a Christian church located in the small town of Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is part of the Free Church of Scotland. This church believes the Holy Bible is the most important guide for life and faith. It also follows the Westminster Confession of Faith, which helps explain Christian beliefs.
Abbeygreen Church is a Presbyterian church. This means it is led by elders and ministers, not just one person. It is part of the Free Church of Scotland's Glasgow area. The church also supports missionary groups like UFM Worldwide and Rose of Sharon Ministries. It helps organize the Scottish Reformed Conference.
The church started during a big event called the Disruption of 1843. Its foundation stone was laid in August 1843, and the church building opened on February 15, 1844. The church building, its minister's house (manse), and grounds are located west of Glebe Park on Abbeygreen. The Abbeygreen church community was formed when people left the Parish Church of Lesmahagow in 1843. The Lesmahagow Old Parish Church was built in 1804 on the site of the old Lesmahagow Priory.
Contents
- What is the Disruption of 1843?
- Christianity in Lesmahagow Before the Disruption
- Churches in Lesmahagow During the Disruption
- The Disruption from Lesmahagow's Viewpoint
- What Happened After the Disruption?
- Building Up Abbeygreen Free Church
- Abbeygreen's Ministers Until 1900
- Changes and Mergers of Churches
- Abbeygreen Returns to the Free Church of Scotland
- Key Moments in Abbeygreen Church's History
- Upkeep and Changes to Abbeygreen Church Buildings
- See Also
- Images for kids
What is the Disruption of 1843?
The story of Abbeygreen Church begins with the Disruption of 1843. This was a major event when many ministers and church groups left the Church of Scotland. It happened during the Church of Scotland's yearly meeting (General Assembly) in 1843. The reason for the split was that the Church of Scotland allowed the government to interfere in its church matters. Many believed the church should only be guided by Christ.
At that meeting, 121 ministers and 73 elders, led by Dr. David Welsh, read a protest. Then they left and formed the first General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland. This happened on May 18, 1843, in Edinburgh.
In total, 474 ministers left the Church of Scotland in 1843. In 1900, most of the Free Church joined with the United Presbyterian Church to create the United Free Church of Scotland. The remaining Free Church continued as the Free Church of Scotland we know today. In 1929, most of the United Free Church joined the Church of Scotland.
Abbeygreen Church was part of these changes for a long time. But in September 2019, the Abbeygreen Church community, its elders, and minister all decided to leave the Church of Scotland. This process finished on March 26, 2020. Abbeygreen then rejoined the Free Church on March 31, 2020.
Christianity in Lesmahagow Before the Disruption
The history of Christianity in Lesmahagow goes back to at least the 1100s. A church dedicated to Saint Machutus (also known as Saint Malo) was built then. The first leader of Lesmahagow Priory was Osbert, who became the Abbot of Kelso in 1180.
In 1144, King David I of Scotland gave the church and lands of Lesmahagow to the Tironensian Order of Benedictine monks. They had established Kelso Abbey in Kelso. The old Lesmahagow Priory (or "Abbey") ruins can still be seen today next to Lesmahagow Old Parish Church. Both Abbeygreen, the main road, and Abbeygreen Church get their names from this old "Abbey."
The Scottish Reformation in 1560 changed the church in Scotland. Lesmahagow became part of the Church of Scotland. The area was affected by political and religious troubles in the 1600s, especially concerning the church and state. Many monuments in the area still remember the Covenanters, who fought for the church's freedom in the 1600s.
Some of these memorials include:
- William Lawrie's Memorial: At the Dovecot in Blackwood Estate. He was involved in a rebellion in 1666.
- James Gavin's Cairn: James Gavin was sent away to Barbados.
- Auchengilloch Conventicle Memorial: Auchengilloch was a moorland area where Covenanters held secret outdoor church meetings.
- John Brown's Gravestone: John Brown was captured and killed around April 1685.
- Memorial to David Steel: David Steel, a shepherd, was killed near his farm in 1686.
- Memorial to Thomas Linning: Thomas Linning held many secret meetings in Lesmahagow. He became a leader of the Covenanters after James Renwick was executed in 1688.
By the early 1800s, people in Lesmahagow still remembered the Covenanting period and the Killing Times. They were very aware of problems in the Church of Scotland caused by government interference. This was especially true with the Patronage Act of 1711. This act allowed landowners to choose ministers for churches, even if the church members didn't want them.
Because of this, other church groups formed in Lesmahagow, like the Covenanters (or Society people), the Secession church, and the Relief Church. Each of these groups split from the Church of Scotland over the same issues: church leadership and patronage. It was clear that by 1843, people in Lesmahagow deeply cared about the right to choose their own minister.
Churches in Lesmahagow During the Disruption
Lesmahagow Parish was one of only two parishes in the Lanark area directly involved in the Disruption of 1843. The other was St. Leonard's of Lanark. Other Presbyterian churches in the area also played a role in the history of Abbeygreen Church.
This section focuses on the churches directly involved in how Abbeygreen Church came to be. There are other Christian churches in Lesmahagow, like the Hope Hall, which is part of the Open Brethren. Hope Hall and Abbeygreen have a good relationship because they share similar beliefs.
Lesmahagow Parish Church of Scotland: 1842 Ministers
The minister of the Lesmahagow Parish Church of Scotland during the Disruption was Rev. Dr. Andrew Borland Parker. He was born in 1810 and became a minister in 1833. Dr. Parker came to Lesmahagow in 1839.
At that time, Lesmahagow Parish had two ministers. The second minister, Dr. John Wilson, died in 1842. He was replaced by Rev. Thomas Burns. Dr. Parker arrived just before events in 1839 and 1842 that made the issue of patronage very clear to the people of Lesmahagow.
The North Church, Lesmahagow: 1842 Minister
The North Church in Lesmahagow was a Secession (or Burgher) church. It started having its own minister in 1814. The first minister, Rev. William Logan, started in 1820.
This branch of the Secession church rejoined the Church of Scotland on September 11, 1839. When this happened, a third minister position was created in Lesmahagow Parish.
The Reformed Presbyterian Church, Ponfeigh: 1842 Minister
Near Douglas Water, at Ponfeigh, there was a Reformed Presbyterian Church. Its minister was Rev. John Milwain. This church became involved in Abbeygreen's history right after the Disruption of 1843.
St Leonard's Church, Lanark: 1842 Minister
St. Leonard's Church of Scotland in Lanark was formed on May 27, 1839. The church building opened in 1841. Thomas Stark became its minister in 1841 and then joined the Free Church in 1843.
There was a disagreement over the church building after the Disruption. So, the Free Church group bought another church building on Hope Street in Lanark.
The Relief Church or "Cordiner" Church
The Cordiner Church started as the Lesmahagow Relief Church in 1837. It was named after its second minister, Rev. Robert Cordiner, who served there from 1846 to 1897. The Cordiner Church was located where Cordiner Court is now.
The Relief church began in 1761. For many years, these separate church groups often had few ministers and buildings. They would hold outdoor meetings, like the Covenanters did. The need for a Relief church in Lesmahagow was noticed in 1836. The church group was formed on November 7, 1837, and a church building opened in August 1838.
Its first minister, Mr. Alexander Lindsay, left in 1845 and later joined the Free Church in 1848. Rev. Robert Cordiner became minister in 1846. In 1847, the Relief Church joined with the United Secession Church to form the United Presbyterian Church. Rev. Cordiner retired in 1894.
The Disruption from Lesmahagow's Viewpoint
1839: A Patronage Refusal
Rev. Dr. Andrew Boreland Parker became minister of the first charge of Lesmahagow in April 1839. The North Church, which was part of the Original Secession Church, joined the Church of Scotland in September 1839. This created a third minister position in Lesmahagow.
However, the Duke of Hamilton refused to allow the North Church's minister, Rev. William Logan, to stay in his position. This was a clear act against the minister and the church group. Despite this, the "Burgher" group continued to worship in their building, which later became the Jubilee Hall.
1842: A Second Patronage Refusal
The second minister position in Lesmahagow became empty when Rev. Dr. John Wilson died in 1842. Rev. William Logan was chosen by the church members for this position. He received 293 votes, compared to 205 for Rev. Thomas Burns.
But the Duke of Hamilton chose Rev. Thomas Burns to be the minister, going against what the church members wanted. So, Rev. Burns became the second minister on September 29, 1842.
1842: A Church's Wishes Ignored
This situation in Lesmahagow was common across Scotland. Landowners, called "lay-patrons," often ignored the wishes of church members who wanted to choose their own ministers. The Church of Scotland's General Assembly had passed a "Veto Act" in 1833. This act was supposed to give church members more power, but it didn't work. Church courts were always dealing with arguments over who should be appointed as minister.
Because of what happened in Lesmahagow in 1839 and 1842, Dr. Parker called a meeting of the Lesmahagow Parish Church members on December 28, 1842. Many people at that meeting agreed to support ministers who were faithful to the Bible and believed the church should be free from government control.
After the Church of Scotland's General Assembly, on May 28, 1843, Dr. Parker preached his last sermon in the Parish Church. He said he could no longer stay with a church that let the government control its spiritual matters. Dr. Parker, five of the seven elders, and 800 church members left the Church of Scotland to form the Free Church of Scotland.
1843 and 1844: Abbeygreen Free Church is Built
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The new church group had no building or land. They faced strong opposition from some villagers and landowners. This negative feeling towards the Free Church lasted for many years in the area.
The minister, Dr. Parker, found a house to rent about 3.5 miles south-east of Lesmahagow. A surgeon named Mr. Robert Frame, who was a member of the Parish Church, allowed the group to meet for worship in a field called "the Muttonhole." This was about 3.6 miles south-east of Lesmahagow.
Since it was a good summer, the church group worshipped outdoors. People from nearby towns like Douglas, Rigside, Douglas Water, and Coalburn came to listen. Outdoor preaching continued there even after the Abbeygreen Church building was finished.
Mr. James Brown of Auchlochan arranged for a piece of land to be bought from the Duke of Hamilton. This land was west of the Glebe fields. The foundation stone for the new church was laid in August 1843. On February 15, 1844, Abbeygreen Free Church opened. It was built without debt and without help from the Free Church's main fund. The building could seat 960 people.
What Happened After the Disruption?
First Free Church of Scotland Meeting in Lanark
When the Disruption happened in 1843, Rev. William Logan and the North Church joined the Free Church of Scotland. Soon after, Rev. William Logan was asked to become the minister of Sanquhar Free Church.
In June 1843, at the first meeting of the Free Church Presbytery of Lanark, two decisions were made. First, to combine the North Church and the group that left the Church of Scotland. This was to avoid having two Free Churches in Lesmahagow when many other parts of Scotland had none. Second, to declare the North Church building too small for the new Free Church members in Lesmahagow. This meeting included Rev. William Logan, Rev. Thomas Stark of Lanark, and Rev. Dr. Andrew Boreland Parker.
Rev. William Logan, Minister of Sanquhar Free Church
Even though the minister of Sanquhar Church of Scotland did not leave the church in 1843, many of his church members did. They formed a Free Church Congregation. This new group built a church in Sanquhar in 1844. They asked Rev. William Logan to be their minister.
Rev. Logan accepted and served as minister of that church until he died in 1863. He had been a minister for 45 years. It is likely that Rev. Logan's decision to go to Sanquhar helped the new Free Church in Lesmahagow. It made it easier for them to get land for their buildings from the Duke of Hamilton.
Building Up Abbeygreen Free Church
After the church building was finished, Abbeygreen Church immediately started Sunday Schools and regular schools with libraries. They also built the church manse (minister's house) in 1844. A Free Church School was built in Lesmahagow in 1851.
The church also started several mission stations in the local area. These led to new Free Church congregations being formed. For example, the church in Coalburn started as a mission station in 1893. It became an independent Free Church in 1895. Free Church congregations were also started in Douglas (church built in 1845) and Rigside/Douglas Water (church built in 1886). These new churches grew partly because of the outdoor preaching that happened in 1843 and after.
Abbeygreen's Ministers Until 1900
Dr. Parker continued as minister of Abbeygreen until 1854. He then moved to a Free Church in Glasgow. On May 16, 1856, Rev. James Laing became the new minister. Mr. Laing served Abbeygreen until February 25, 1872, when he moved to another church in Glasgow.
Rev. Laing's replacement was Rev. James Arthur Gray, who started on November 22, 1872.
Changes and Mergers of Churches
1900: Free Church Joins United Presbyterian Church
In 1900, most of the Free Church and the United Presbyterian Church joined together. They formed the United Free Church of Scotland. Abbeygreen became part of this new church. Mr. Gray continued as minister until he retired in 1927. Then, on October 27, 1927, Rev. John Walker became the minister of Abbeygreen.
1929: United Free Church Joins Church of Scotland
Early in Rev. Walker's time as minister, in 1929, the United Free Church reunited with the Church of Scotland. The Church of Scotland had changed its rules to honor the ideas of the Disruption. It had ended the system of patronage in 1874.
So, the church group that became Abbeygreen found itself back within the Church of Scotland. It was now called Lesmahagow-Abbeygreen, Church of Scotland, from October 2, 1929. The Cordiner Church also joined the Church of Scotland at this time. This meant there were three Church of Scotland churches in Lesmahagow. Rev. Walker's ministry ended in May 1939, and Rev. T.F. Neill followed him in 1940.
1940: Abbeygreen and Cordiner Church Unite
The Relief Church, which included the Cordiner Church, joined the United Secession Church in 1847 to form the United Presbyterian Church. Then, in 1900, the United Presbyterian Church joined with most of the Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900) to form the United Free Church of Scotland. At this point, Abbeygreen and the Cordiner Church were in the same church group, but they were still separate churches.
In 1929, both Abbeygreen Church and the Cordiner Church joined the Church of Scotland. They became Lesmahagow-Abbeygreen and Lesmahagow-Cordiner Church, along with Lesmahagow Old Parish Church. This meant three churches of the same kind were in one village.
In 1940, the minister of the Cordiner church, Mr. Morton, became very ill. Abbeygreen Church and the Cordiner Church had always supported each other. So, members of the Cordiner Church were invited to worship with Abbeygreen. In June 1941, the two churches decided to unite. This union created Lesmahagow-Abbeygreen, Church of Scotland. The first meeting of the new united church happened on July 7, 1941.
When Abbeygreen rejoined the Free Church of Scotland in 2020, two members who had attended the Cordiner Church Sunday School were still part of the Abbeygreen congregation.
1941 to 2020: Ministry in the Church of Scotland
After uniting with the Cordiner Church, Rev. T.F. Neill served until 1953. On April 6, 1954, Rev. Dr. Robert B.W. Walker became minister. Dr. Walker served until he retired due to illness in 1981. After a period without a minister, Rev. David S. Carmichael became minister on September 2, 1982. He served until his retirement on January 29, 2023.
Abbeygreen Returns to the Free Church of Scotland
On March 26, 2020, the Abbeygreen Church community, with its elders and minister, left the Church of Scotland. They formed Abbeygreen New Church. They met online once on March 29 due to the Sars-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) lockdown. The church had worked with the Church of Scotland to keep its land and buildings, completing the transfer on March 26.
On March 31, 2020, the minister was accepted into the Free Church of Scotland. The Abbeygreen church community was happily welcomed back into the Free Church of Scotland, where it had started in 1843. The church is now part of the Free Church of Scotland Presbytery of Glasgow. Its properties and money are managed by a charity called Abbeygreen Ministries Trust.
Key Moments in Abbeygreen Church's History
| Year(s) | Name of Minister | Event | Date of Event (if relevant/known) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Rev. David S. Carmichael | Minister Retires | 29/01/2023 |
| 2020 | Rev. David S. Carmichael | Minister and congregation of Abbeygreen accepted into the Free Church of Scotland | 31/3/2020 |
| 2020 | Rev. David S. Carmichael | Abbeygreen Leaves Church of Scotland & becomes Abbeygreen New Church | 26/3/2020 |
| 1982 | Rev. David S. Carmichael | Minister ordained & inducted | 2/9/1982 |
| 1981 | Rev. Dr. Robert B.W. Walker | Minister demits due to ill health | 30/10/1981 |
| 1954 | Rev. Dr. Robert B.W. Walker | Minister inducted | 6/4/1954 |
| 1953 | Rev. T. F. Neill | Minister called to Cranhill, Glasgow | |
| 1941 | Rev. T. F. Neill | Abbeygreen and Cordiner Church Unite | 7/7/1941 |
| 1940 | Rev. T. F. Neill | Minister inducted | 25/1/1940 |
| 1939 | Rev. John Walker | Minister leaves | 1/5/1939 |
| 1929 | Rev. John Walker | Abbeygreen joins the Church of Scotland | 2/10/1929 |
| 1927 | Rev. John Walker | Minister inducted | 27/10/1927 |
| 1927 | Rev. James Arthur Gray | Minister Retires | |
| 1900 | Rev. James Arthur Gray | Abbeygreen joins the United Presbyterian Church at the formation of the United Free Church of Scotland | |
| 1872 | Rev. James Arthur Gray | Minister Inducted | 22/11/1872 |
| 1872 | Rev. James Laing | Minister translated to West Congregation, Free Church of Scotland, Glasgow | 25/2/1872 |
| 1856 | Rev. James Laing | Minister ordained & induced | 16/5/1856 |
| 1854 | Rev. Dr. Andrew Boreland Parker | Dr Parker Called to Wellpark Free Church, Glasgow | |
| 1844 | Rev. Dr. Andrew Borland Parker | Church Building opened | 15/2/1844 |
| 1843 | Rev. Dr. Andrew Borland Parker | Leaving Church of Scotland | 28/5/1843 |
Upkeep and Changes to Abbeygreen Church Buildings
| Year | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Redecoration of the Church Halls | The young people of the church helped redecorate the church halls. |
| 2013 | Stage Lighting System Provision | A lighting system was bought to improve church events, especially for the Summer Club and youth productions. |
| 2009 | Hall Sound System and Loop Installation | A new sound system was put in the church hall, including a loop system for hearing aids. This allowed for better recordings of sermons. |
| 2007 & 2008 | Sound System Overhaul and Upgrade | The main church building got a new sound system for better recording and mixing. |
| 2005 | Church Hall Extension Built | An extension and renovation to the church halls were completed. This added a new meeting room, upgraded toilets, and wheelchair access. |
| 2003 | Renovations After Fire Damage to Church Hall | After a fire in the church hall, the hall, kitchen, and underfloor areas were completely renovated. |
| 1993 | New Sound System Fitted | A new sound system was installed in the church, with speakers and a tape recorder. A loop system for hearing aids was also added. |
| 1991 | Church and Manse Exteriors Renovated | The outside of the church and manse buildings were renovated by the church members. |
| 1986 & 1987 | Church Heating System Renovation | The church's heating system was updated. The church met in the hall during this work. |
| 1964 | Hall Extension and Kitchen Addition | A kitchen area and an extension were added to the church hall. These opened in 1965. |
| 1955 | Organ Modernisation and Repositioning | The church organ was updated, and its keyboard was moved to the front of the chancel. |
| 1941 | Organ Renovation | The church organ was renovated, and its heating was improved. A fund for a new organ started in 1942. |
| 1939 | Canteen for Billeted Soldiers & 1940 - 1944 - Army Requisition | During World War II, Abbeygreen Church ran a canteen for soldiers. The army used the church hall from 1940 to 1944. |
| 1936 | Heating Upgrade and Installation of Electric Lighting | The church's heating system was upgraded, and electric lights were installed in the main worship area. |
| 1932 | Building Addition: Church Hall and Vestry | A new hall and vestry were built next to the main church building. These opened in early 1933. |
| 1928 | Communion Table Gifted | A communion table was given to Abbeygreen United Free Church in memory of Peter Alan Mackenzie Ballantyne. |
| 1908 | Church Renovated | The church building was extensively renovated, including changes to the chancel area. |
| 1902 | Organ Installation | An organ was installed to lead and accompany singing during worship. |
See Also
- Free Church of Scotland (since 1900)
- Lesmahagow
- Disruption of 1843
Images for kids
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Abbeygreen Church, Lesmahagow
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Abbeygreen Church and Manse from Abbeygreen
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Plaque on the wall of 1 Tanfield, Canonmills, Edinburgh: Memorial to the first General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland and to the 1847 unification of the United Secession and Relief Churches to form the United Presbyterian Church.
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View of the site of Lesmahagow Priory c.1985
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Timeline of the evolution of the churches of Scotland from the Reformation
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Lesmahagow Churches: Red: Lesmhagow Old Parish Church, Green: The North Church, Blue: Abbeygreen Church. Colourized from photograph taken c.1900.
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Rev. Dr. Andrew Boreland Parker
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Postcard view of Lesmahagow North End. Looking over the Glebe to St Machutes (centre) and the North Church / Jubilee Hall to the right of centre and slightly up-hill. Postcard pre-dates 1902 as the Parish Church Hall does not exist.
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Postcard of Lanark Railway Station & St Leonard's Church c1920
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Postcard view of Hope Street Lanark, showing the building which the St Leonard's Free Church congregation bought.
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Cordiner Church c.1900 and the Rev. Robert Cordiner
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Abbeygreen Church c1900. Church building opened 15 February 1844.
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Netherfauldhouse Farm Buildings, 2021
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Panorama looking south east over the Muttonhole and Poniel Water, 2021
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Building Founding Plaque Located in Foyer of Abbeygreen Church
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Sanquhar Old Free Church building. Picture dates from 2021.
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Postcard view of Lesmahagow c1935. Looking over the village, with buildings highlighted: Orange - Cordiner Church, Red - Old Parish Church, Blue - Free Church School on Peasehill, Green - Jubilee Hall (The Old North Church).
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The Original Coalburn Church building. Constructed as a mission station of Abbeygreen Free Church in 1893, becoming an independent Free Church congregation in 1895. The building pictured here was destroyed by fire in 1918. The church was re-built in 1922.
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Ministers of Abbeygreen Church 1843 to 1927
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Ministers of Abbeygreen Church 1927 to 1981
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Minister of Abbeygreen Church from 1982
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Photograph of the interior of Abbeygreen Church taken in October 2021 during organ maintenance.
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Photograph of the interior of Abbeygreen Church after renovations in 1955. Showing re-arrangement of the chancel area and the position of the organ keyboard after the move.
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Photograph of the interior of Abbeygreen Church after renovations in 1936, but prior to organ move in 1955.
