View source for United Free Church of Scotland

{{Short description|Scottish Presbyterian denomination}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox Christian denomination
| name = United Free Church of Scotland
| image = 
| imagewidth =
| caption = 
| main_classification = [[Protestant]]
| orientation = [[Calvinist]]
| polity = [[Presbyterian polity|Presbyterian]]
| founder =
| founded_date = 1900
| founded_place = 
| separated_from = 
| parent = 
| merger = The [[United Presbyterian Church of Scotland]] and most of the [[Free Church of Scotland (1843–1900)|Free Church of Scotland]]
| separations = 
| associations = majority incorporated into the [[Church of Scotland]] in 1929
| area = Scotland
| congregations = 47<ref name="auto">{{Cite web | url=https://www.ufcos.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/Governance24.pdf | title=Report of the governance committee - General assembly 2023 | website=www.ufcos.org.uk | access-date=2024-07-12 |page=4}}</ref>
| members =  1782 (Communicant) <ref name="auto"/>
|ministers=22|website             = {{URL|ufcos.org.uk}}
| footnotes = 
|region=}}

The '''United Free Church of Scotland''' ('''UF Church'''; {{langx|gd|An Eaglais Shaor Aonaichte}}, {{langx|sco|The Unitit Free Kirk o Scotland}}) is a Scottish Presbyterian denomination formed in 1900 by the union of the [[United Presbyterian Church of Scotland]] (or UP) and the [[Free Church of Scotland (1843–1900)|majority of the 19th-century Free Church of Scotland]].  The majority of the United Free Church of Scotland united with the [[Church of Scotland]] in 1929.

== Origins ==
[[File:Reformed Scots Church Denominations.svg|thumb|500px|Timeline showing the evolution of the churches of Scotland from 1560]]

The Free Church of Scotland seceded from the Church of Scotland in the [[Disruption of 1843]]. The United Presbyterian Church was formed in 1847 by a union of the [[United Secession Church|United Secession]] and [[Presbytery of Relief|Relief]] Churches, both of which had split from the Church of Scotland. The two denominations united in 1900 to form the United Free Church (except for a small section of the Free Church who rejected the union and continued independently under the name of the [[Free Church of Scotland (post 1900)|Free Church]]).

==Legal dispute:''The Free Church Case''==
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2015}}
{{main|Free Church case}}
The minority of the Free Church, which had refused to join the union, quickly tested its legality. They issued a summons, claiming that in altering the principles of the Free Church, the majority had ceased to be the Free Church of Scotland and therefore forfeited the right to its assets – which should belong to the remaining minority, who were the true 'Free Church'. However, the case was lost in the [[Court of Session]], where Lord Low (upheld by the second division) held that the Assembly of original Free Church had a right, within limits, to change its position.

An appeal to the [[House of Lords]], (not delivered until 1 August 1904 due to a judicial death), reversed the Court of Session's decision (by a majority of 5–2), and found the minority entitled to the assets of the Free Church. It was held that, by adopting new standards of doctrine (and particularly by abandoning its commitment to 'the establishment principle' – which was held to be fundamental to the Free Church), the majority had violated the conditions on which the property of the Free Church was held.

The judgement had huge implications; seemingly it deprived the Free Church element of the UF Church of all assets—churches, manses, colleges, missions, and even provision for elderly clergy. It handed large amounts of property to the remnant; more than it could make effective use of. A conference, held in September 1904, between representatives of the UF and the (now distinct) Free Church, to come to some working arrangement, found that no basis for agreement could be found. A convocation of the UF Church, held on 15 December, decided that the union should proceed, and resolved to pursue every lawful means to restore their assets. As a result, the intervention of [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] was sought.

A parliamentary commission was appointed, consisting of [[Victor Alexander Bruce, 9th Earl of Elgin|Lords Elgin]], [[Alexander Kinnear, 1st Baron Kinnear|Kinnear]] and [[Anstruther baronets|Anstruther]]. The question of interim possession was referred to Sir [[John Cheyne (advocate)|John Cheyne]]. The commission sat in public, and after hearing both sides, issued their report in April 1905. They stated that the feelings of both parties towards the other had made their work difficult. They concluded, however, that the Free Church was in many respects unable to carry out the purposes of the trusts, which, under the ruling of the House of Lords, was a condition of their holding the property. They recommended that an executive commission should be set up by act of parliament, in which the whole property of the Free Church, as at the date of the union, should be vested, and which should allocate it to the United Free Church, where the Free Church was unable to carry out the trust purposes.

The Churches (Scotland) Act 1905,<ref>[https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Edw7/5/12/contents Churches (Scotland) Act 1905.]</ref> which gave effect to these recommendations, was passed in August. The commissioners appointed were those on whose report the act was formed, plus two others. The allocation of churches and [[manse]]s was a slow business, but by 1908 over 100 churches had been assigned to the Free Church. Some of the dispossessed UF Church congregations, most of them in the Highlands, found shelter for a time in the parish churches; but it was early decided that in spite of the objection against the erection of more church buildings in districts where many were now standing empty, 60 new churches and manses should at once be built at a cost of about £150,000. In October 1906 the commission intimated that the Assembly Hall, and the [[New College, Edinburgh|New College]] Buildings, were to belong to the UF Church, while the Free Church received the offices in Edinburgh, and a tenement to be converted into a college, while the library was to be vested in the UF Church, but open to members of both. After having held its Assembly in university class-rooms for two years, and in another hall in 1905, in 1906 the UF Church again occupied the historic buildings of the Free Church. All the foreign missions and all the continental stations were also adjudged to the United Free Church. (Incidentally, the same act also contained provided for the relaxation of subscription in the Church of Scotland, thus Parliament had involved itself in the affairs of all Presbyterian churches.)

==Existence 1900–1929==
{{Religion in Scotland|sidebar=yes}}
The United Free Church was during its relatively short existence the second largest [[Presbyterian]] church in [[Scotland]]. The Free Church brought into the union 1,068 congregations, the United Presbyterians 593. Combined they had a membership of some half a million Scots. The revenue of the former amounted to £706,546, of the latter to £361,743. The missionaries of both churches joined the union, and the united Church was then equipped with missions in various parts of [[India]], in [[Manchuria]], in Africa (Lovedale, Livingstonia, etc.), in Palestine, in [[Melanesia]] and in the [[West Indies]].

The UFC was broadly liberal Evangelical in its approach to theology and practical issues. It combined an acceptance of the findings of contemporary science, and the more moderate results of [[higher criticism]] with commitment to evangelism and missions. The UFC's approach to doctrinal conformity was fairly liberal for a Presbyterian denomination at the time. In its 1906 ''Act Anent Spiritual Independence of the Church'', its General Assembly asserted the power to modify or define its [[Subordinate standard]] (the [[Westminster Confession]]) and its laws. Although its subordinate standard remained, ministers and elders were asked to state their belief in "the doctrine of this Church, set forth in the Confession of Faith". Thus the Church's interpretation of doctrine was prioritised over the confession.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}

The UFC had three divinity halls, at [[Glasgow]], Edinburgh and [[Aberdeen]], served by 17 professors and five lecturers. The first moderator was [[Robert Rainy]]. Its theologians and scholars have included [[H.R. Mackintosh]], [[James Moffatt]] as well as [[John Baillie (theologian)|John]] and [[Donald Baillie]]. British Prime Minister [[Bonar Law]] was raised in a Canadian [[Free Church of Scotland (1843–1900)|Free Church]] manse and was a member of the United Free Church in [[Helensburgh]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Noble|first1=Stewart|title=History of Helensburgh Parish Church|url=http://www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&amp%3Bview=article&amp%3Bid=1335:history-of-helensburgh-parish-church&amp%3Bcatid=91:religion-&amp%3BItemid=492|website=Helensburgh Heritage|access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref>

=== Churches 1900-1929 ===
'''Synod of Glenelg'''

* '''Presbytery of Lewis''': Back (1900-07), Barvas, Bernera (1928-29), Carloway, Cross, Kinloch, Knock, Lochs, Park (1900-07), Shawbost (1900-07), Stornoway English, Stornoway High, Stornoway James Street (1900-13), Uig
* '''Presbytery of Uist''': Benbecula, Bernera, Carinish, Harris, North Uist, South Uist, Tarbert Harris

'''Synod of Lothian'''

* '''Presbytery of Bathgate''': Armadale, Avonbridge, Bathgate: St David's, Bathgate: St John's, Blackburn (1910-29), Blackridge, Broxburn East, Broxburn West, Caldercruix, Fauldhouse, Harthill, Kirkliston, Livingston, Longridge, Longriggend, Mid Calder, Slamannan, Torphichen, Uphall, Whitburn
* '''Presbytery of Dalkeith''': Carlops, Cockpen, Dal: Buccleuch St, Dal: King's Park (1900-12), Dal: St John's (1900-12), Dal: St John's & King's Park (1912-29), Fala, Ford, Gorebridge (1921-29), Gorebridge: East (1900-21), Gorebridge: St Paul's (1900-21), Howgate, Kirkurd, Lasswade, Loanhead (1904-29), Loanhead: Erskine (1900-04), Loanhead: South (1900-04), Musselburgh: Bridge St, Musselburgh: High, Musselburgh: Millhill, Newbattle, Newlands (1900-10), Ormiston, Penicuik: North, Penicuik: South, Roslin, Temple & Carrington, West Linton (1900-10), West Linton & Newlands (1910-29)
* '''Presbytery of Edinburgh''': Addiewell & Stoneyburn (1919-29), Balerno, Corstorphine, Cramond (1900-27), Davidson's Mains (1927-29), East Calder, Ed: Abbeyhill (1900-10), Ed: Argyle Place, Ed: Arthur St (1900-19), Ed: Barclay, Ed: Braid, Ed: Bristo, Ed: Broughton Place, Ed: Bruntsfield, Ed: Cairns Memorial, Ed: Candlish (1901-29), Ed: Canongate (1900-10), Ed: Chalmers, Ed: College St (1900-10), Ed: Cowgate (1900-10), Ed: Craigmillar Park, Ed: Dalry, Ed: Davidson, Ed: Dean (1900-11), Ed: Dean St (1900-11), Ed: East Fountainbridge (1900-05), Ed: Fountainbridge (1900-01, 1927-29), Ed: Fountainhall Road, Ed: Gilmore Place (1900-21), Ed: Gorgie, Ed: Grange, Ed: Greenbank, Ed: Guthrie Memorial, Ed: Haymarket, Ed: High, Ed: Holyrood (1900-10), Ed: Holyrood Abbey (1910-29), Ed: Hope Park, Ed: John Ker Memorial, Ed: Juniper Green, Ed: Knox's (1900-10), Ed: Lady Glenorchy's, Ed: Lauriston Place, Ed: Leith Bonnington, Ed: Leith Dalmeny St, Ed: Leith Ebenezer*, Ed: Leith Elder Memorial (1900-07), Ed: Leith Junction Road, Ed: Leith Kirkgate, Ed: Leith North Coburg Street, Ed: Leith North Ferry Road, Ed: Leith St Andrew's Place, Ed: Leith St John's, Ed: Leith St Ninian's, Ed: Leith South, Ed: Leith Wardie, Ed: Liberton, Ed: Lochend (1926-29), Ed: London Road, Ed: Lothian Road, Ed: Martyrs' (1900-09), Ed: Martyrs' & St John's (1909-29), Ed: Mayfield, Ed: McCrie-Roxburgh (1900-20), Ed: McDonald Road (1905-29), Ed: Moray (1900-10), Ed: Moray-Knox (1910-29), Ed: Morningside, Ed: New College (1900-19), Ed: New North, Ed: Newhaven, Ed: Newington, Ed: Newington South, Ed: Nicholson St, Ed: North Morningside, Ed: North Richmond St, Ed: Palmerston Place, Ed: Pilrig, Ed: Pleasance (1900-10, 1919-29), Ed: Portobello Regent St, Ed: Portobello St Philip's, Ed: Portobello Windsor Place, Ed: Queen St, Ed: Restalrig, Ed: Rose St (1900-05), Ed: Roseburn, Ed: Rosehall, Ed: St Andrew's, Ed: St Bernard's, Ed: St Columba's, Ed: St Cuthbert's, Ed: St David's, Ed: St George's, Ed: St James', Ed: St James' Place, Ed: St John's (1900-09), Ed: St Mary's, Ed: St Paul's, Ed: St Stephen's, Ed: Slateford, Ed: South Morningside, Ed: Stenhouse (1928-29), Ed: Stockbridge, Ed: Union (1910-29), Ed: Viewforth, Ed: Warrender Park, Ratho & Kirknewton, South Queensferry, West Calder: Harwood, West Calder: Limefield*
* '''Presbytery of Haddington & Dunbar''': Aberlady, Cockburnspath (1900-01), Cockburnspath & Stockbridge (1901-29), Cockenzie, Dirleton, Dunbar (1917-29), Dunbar: Abbey (1900-17), Dunbar: Erskine (1900-17)
* '''Presbytery of Linlithgow & Falkirk''': Abercorn, Airth, Bo'ness: Craigmailen*, Bo'ness: St Andrew's, Bonnybridge (1914-29), Carron, Cumbernauld: Baird (1900-20), Cumbernauld: Bridgend (1900-20), Cumbernauld (1920-29), Denny: Broompark, Denny: Dunipace, Dennyloanhead, Fal: Bainsford, Fal: Camelon (1900-06), Fal: Erskine, Fal: Graham's Road, Fal: Irving (1906-29), Fal: St Andrew's, Fal: St James's, Fal: Trinity (1904-29), Fal: West, Grangemouth: Charing Cross, Grangemouth: Dundas, Grangemouth: Grange, Grangemouth: West, Kilsyth: Anderson, Kilsyth: High, Larbert: East, Larbert: West, Laurieston, Lin: Craigmailen (1917-29), Lin: East (1900-17), Lin: High, Lin: Trinity (1900-17), Polmont, Shieldhill, Wester Pardovan

'''Synod of Moray and Ross'''

* '''Presbytery of Abernethy''': Abernethy (1900-04), Abernethy & Boat of Garten (1904-29), Alvie, Cromdale & Advie, Duthil (later Duthil Carrbridge), Grantown, Kingussie, Kirkmichael, Laggan, Rothiemurchus & Aviemore (1902-29)
* '''Presbytery of Chanonry''': Avoch, Cromarty, Fortrose, Killearnan, Knockbain, Knockbain West (1900-?), Resolis*
* '''Presbytery of Dingwall''': Alness, Contin (1900-07), Dingwall, Ferintosh & Maryburgh (1908-), Kilmorack, Kiltearn (1900-07), Maryburgh (1900-08), Strathconan (1900-28), Strathgarve (1900-07), Strathpeffer & Fodderty, Urquhart (1900-08), Urray
* '''Presbytery of Elgin''': Alves, Bellie, Burghead North (1900-06), Burghead South (1900-06), Burghead (1906-29), Elgin High, Elgin Moss Street, Elgin South, Garmouth, Hopeman, Knockando, Lossiemouth High, Lossiemouth St James', Pluscarden, Rothes, Urquhart
* '''Presbytery of Forres & Nairn''': Ardclach, Auldearn, Cawdor, Dallas, Dyke, Edinkillie, Forres: Castlehill, Forres: Cumming St (later High), Kinloss, Moyness, Nairn: High, Nairn: Rosebank, Rafford
* '''Presbytery of Inverness''': Ardersier: North (1900-07), Ardersier: South (1900-07), Ardersier (1907-29), Croy, Daviot (1900-07), Dores & Bona, Glenurquhart (1913-29), Inv: Crown, Inv: East, Inv: High, Inv: Ness Bank, Inv: Queen St, Inv: West, Kiltarlity, Kirkhill, Moy (1900-07), Petty, Stratherrick, Strathglass
* '''Presbytery of Tain''': Croick (1900-07), Edderton, Fearn, Invergordon, Kilmuir Easter, Kincardine (1900-10), Kincardine & Croick (1910-29), Logie Easter, Nigg (1900-22), Nigg Chapelhill (1900-22), Nigg & Chapelhill (1922-29), Rosskeen, Tain, Tain: Cadboll Place (1900-03), Tarbat
'''Synod of Sutherland and Caithness'''
* '''Presbytery of Dornoch''': Assynt (1900-21), Assynt Elphin & Stoer (1921-29), Clyne, Creich
* '''Presbytery of Abertarff''': Glenurquhart (1900-13)

==Union with the Church of Scotland==
As its early days were preoccupied with the aftermath of union, so its later days were with the coming union with the [[Church of Scotland]]. The problem was the CofS's position as an [[established church]] conflicted with the [[Voluntaryism]] of the UFC. Discussions began in 1909, but were complex. The Very Rev [[William Paterson Paterson]], [[Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland]] made much progress during his period in office 1919/20.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.giffordlectures.org/lecturers/william-paterson-paterson|title=William Paterson Paterson|date=18 August 2014|website=The Gifford Lectures}}</ref>

The main hurdles were overcome by two parliamentary statutes, firstly the [[Church of Scotland Act 1921]], which recognised the Church of Scotland's independence in spiritual matters (a right asserted by its [[Articles Declaratory of the Constitution of the Church of Scotland|Articles Declaratory]] of 1919). The second was the [[Church of Scotland (Properties and Endowments) Act 1925]] ([[15 & 16 Geo. 5]]. c. 33), which transferred the secular endowment of the church to a new body called the ''General Trustees''. These measures satisfied the majority of the UFC that the Church-state entanglement of the Church of Scotland, which had been the cause of the [[Disruption of 1843]] had at last ended. In 1929, the merger with the [[Church of Scotland]] largely reversed the [[Disruption of 1843]] and reunited much of Scottish Presbyterianism. On 2 October 1929, at an assembly at the Industrial Hall on Annandale Street off [[Leith Walk]] in [[Edinburgh]], the two churches merged.<ref>Edinburgh and District: Ward Lock Travel Guide 1939</ref> The Hall is now the central bus depot for [[Lothian Region Transport]].

A relatively small minority stayed out of the union, and retained the name of U.F. Church.

==The continuing UFC, 1929–present==
Voluntaryism led some to oppose the union (the United Free Church Association, led by [[James Barr (politician)|James Barr]] – minister of [[Govan]] and Labour MP for [[Motherwell, Scotland|Motherwell]]). When it came, 13,000 UFC members remained outside, calling themselves the United Free Church (Continuing).<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Thorpe|first=Andrew|title=The Longman companion to Britain in the era of the two world wars, 1914-45|date=1994|publisher=Longman|isbn=0-582-07771-0|location=London|oclc=27186234}}</ref> The phrase 'continuing' was used for five years to avoid confusion between the remaining United Free Church and the pre-union Church. It was dropped from the title in 1934. An agreement between the parties avoided the property disputes of the 1900 union. UFC members increased slightly during the 1930s, to a peak of 23,000 by 1939, but it never regained anywhere near the numbers it had had prior to the union with the Church of Scotland.<ref name=":0" />

The ongoing UFC continues in the 'broad evangelical' tradition.

The continuing UFC agreed to permit the [[Ordination of women in Protestant churches|ordination of female ministers]] in 1929.<ref name="Field-Bibb">Jacqueline Field-Bibb, ''Women Towards Priesthood: Ministerial Politics and Feminist Praxis'' (Cambridge University Press, 1991), p. 117.</ref> The church elected a woman as its moderator in 1960,<ref name="Field-Bibb"/> when [[Elizabeth Barr]] became the first female moderator of a general assembly of a Scottish church.<ref>Keith Robbins, ''England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales: The Christian Church 1900–2000'' (Oxford University Press, 2008), pp. 387–88.</ref>

The General Assembly of the United Free Church of Scotland meets annually, beginning on the Wednesday after the first Sunday in June, and lasting until the Friday. Since 2008, they have committed to having the General Assembly in a central location, meeting in the  Salutation Hotel, Perth.<ref name="one">{{cite book |url=https://www.ufcos.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/General%20Assembly/2017/AF-GA17.pdf |title=Report of the Administration and Finance Committee General Assembly 2017 |date=2017 |page=9 |access-date=4 April 2017}}</ref>

In 2016, they had 60 ordained ministers, including retired and those serving part-time. There were three students, and a further three probationer ministers. The denomination has 388 Elders, and 255 Deacons, Managers or board members who are not Elders. 

In 2023, there were 22 serving ministers, along with seven Ministry Assistants. There was one Student Minister, and 22 Retired Ministers. The denomination has 300 Elders, and 183 Deacons, Managers or board members who are not Elders. The total membership (Communicants) at the end of 2023 was 1782 individuals.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |url=https://www.ufcos.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/Governance24.pdf |title=REPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2024 |publisher=United Free Church of Scotland |pages=4 |language=English}}</ref>

===Ecumenical relations===
The modern UFC is involved in the ecumenical movement in Scotland and is a member of [[Action of Churches Together in Scotland]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Who we are: Member Churches|url=http://www.acts-scotland.org/about-us/about-acts/item/158-who-we-are-member-churches|website=acts-scotland.org/|access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref> Internationally, it is a member of the [[World Council of Churches]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Member churches |url=https://www.oikoumene.org/member-churches |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=World Council of Churches |date=January 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Churches (present day) ===
In 2016, the UFC had 53 congregations in its three presbyteries.<ref name="one" /> By end 2023, this had reduced to 47 congregations.<ref name=":1" /> These three presbyteries are 'The East', 'The West' and 'The North'.
* The East: meets in Bo'ness and covers central Scotland, South Fife and the Lothians. It has 14 congregations.
* The West which meets in Glasgow and covers Strathclyde, and has 21 congregations within its bounds.
* The North meets in Aberdeen and Perth covering Tayside, The Highlands, Grampian and the Northern Isles. It has 12 congregations.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Church
!Location
!Web
!Founded
!Notes
|-
|Canonbie United Parish Church
|[[Canonbie|Canonbie, Dumfries and Galloway]]
|[https://canonbiechurch.org.uk/]
|
|Joint CoS / UFCS congregation
|-
|Ardeer UFC
|[[Ardeer, North Ayrshire]]
|
|
|''Vacant''
|-
|Largs UFC
|[[Largs|Largs, North Ayrshire]]
|
|
|Rev. Archie Ford
|-
|St Andrew's UFC, Cumnock
|[[Cumnock|Cumnock, East Ayrshire]]
|
|
|Rev. Graham Brown
|-
|'''Calder UFC, Lochwinnoch'''
|[[Lochwinnoch|Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire]]
|[https://www.calderchurch.com/]
|1791
|Rev. Tony Paton
|-
|Candlish Wynd UFC, Govanhill
|[[Govanhill|Govanhill, Glasgow]]
|
|
|Rev. Elizabeth MacKay
|-
|Cathcart UFC
|[[Cathcart|Cathcart, Glasgow]]
|[https://www.cathcartuf.org.uk/]
|1929
|''Vacant''
|-
|Croftfoot UFC
|[[Croftfoot|Croftfoot, Glasgow]]
|[http://www.croftfootuf.org/]
|
|Rev. Ann Deacons
|-
|Darnley UFC
|[[Darnley|Darnley, Glasgow]]
|[https://darnleychurch.com//]
|1977
|Rev. David Steele
|-
|Drumchapel UFC
|[[Drumchapel|Drumchapel, Glasgow]]
|[https://drumchapelufchurch.org/]
|1958
|Rev. Phil Steed
|-
|Knightswood UFC
|[[Knightswood|Knightswood, Glasgow]]
|[https://knightswood-uf.com/]
|
|Rev Sam Parkinson
|-
|Millerston UFC
|[[Millerston|Millerston, Glasgow]]
|[http://www.millerstonchurch.org.uk/]
|
|Rev. David Miller
|-
|Shieldhall and Drumoyne UFC
|[[Shieldhall|Shieldhall, Glasgow]]
|
|
|
|-
|Dalreoch UFC
|[[Dalreoch|Dalreoch, West Dunbartonshire]]
|
|
|Rev Dr Sara Rettie
|-
|Milngavie UFC
|[[Milngavie|Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire]]
|[https://www.milngavie.church/]
|
|''Vacant''
|-
|St Andrew's UFC, Bellshill
|[[Bellshill|Bellshill, North Lanarkshire]]
|[http://www.bellshillstandrews.org.uk/]
|1762
|Rev. Jason Lingiah
|-
|Chryston UFC
|[[Chryston|Chryston, North Lanarkshire]]
|
|
|Rev. Steve Marr
|-
|Wishaw UFC
|[[Wishaw|Wishaw, North Lanarkshire]]
|
|
|Rev. Colin Mackenzie
|-
|Park Church, Uddingston
|[[Uddingston|Uddingston, South Lanarkshire]]
|[http://parkchurch.co.uk/]
|1863
|Rev. Bruce McDowall
|-
|Broxburn UFC
|[[Broxburn|Broxburn, West Lothian]]
|
|
|
|-
|'''Craigmailen UFC, Bo'ness'''
|[[Bo'ness|Bo'ness, West Lothian]]
|
|
|Rev. Andrew Brown
|-
|'''Limefield UFC, West Calder'''
|[[West Calder|West Calder, West Lothian]]
|
|
|
|-
|Corstorphine Community Church
|[[Corstorphine|Corstorphine, Edinburgh]]
|[http://www.corstorphinefaith.org.uk/]
|1929
|Rev Duncan Whitty
|-
|'''Ebenezer UFC, Leith'''
|[[Leith|Leith, Edinburgh]]
|
|
|
|-
|Wilson Memorial Church, Edinburgh
|[[Craigentinny|Craigentinny, Edinburgh]]
|[https://wilsonmemorial.org.uk/]
|1933
|
|-
|Murrayfield UFC, Bannockburn
|[[Bannockburn|Bannockburn, Stirling]]
||
|
|Rev. Gary Barclay
|-
|St Ninians UFC, Stirling
|[[Stirling|Stirling, Stirling]]
|[http://www.ufcos.org.uk/stirling/]
|1773
|Rev. Martin Keane
|-
|Menstrie UFC
|[[Menstrie|Menstrie, Clackmannanshire]]
|
|
|
|-
|'''Sauchie and Fishcross UFC'''
|[[Sauchie|Sauchie, Clackmannanshire]]
|
|1913
|Rev. Tom McWhirter
|-
|'''Burntisland Erskine UFC'''
|[[Burntisland|Burntisland, Fife]]
|
|
|Rev. Alexander Ritchie
|-
|Cornerstone St Andrews UFC
|[[St Andrews|St Andrews, Fife]]
|
|
|Rev. Jared Michelson
|-
|Tayport UFC
|[[Tayport|Tayport, Fife]]
|
|
|
|-
|Auchterarder St Andrew's UFC
|[[Auchterarder|Auchterarder, Perth and Kinross]]
|
|
|Rev. Jerome O'Brien
|-
|Balbeggie UFC
|[[Balbeggie|Balbeggie, Perth and Kinross]]
|
|
|
|-
|Trinity Church, Crook of Devon
|[[Crook of Devon|Crook of Devon, Perth and Kinross]]
|[http://www.trinity-church.co.uk/]
|
|Rev. Jerome O'Brien
|-
|Erskine UFC, Carnoustie
|[[Carnoustie|Carnoustie, Angus]]
|[http://carnoustie-erskine.org.uk/]
|
|Rev. Douglas Campbell
|-
|Knox UFC, Montrose
|[[Montrose, Angus]]
|
|
|Rev. Douglas Campbell
|-
|Dundee UFC
|[[Dundee|Dundee, Dundee]]
|
|
|Rev. Jane McArthur
|-
|Northfield UFC
|[[Northfield, Aberdeen]]
|
|
|Rev. Andy Ellison
|-
|Torry UFC
|[[Torry|Torry, Aberdeen]]
|[https://www.torryuf.co.uk/welcome.htm]
|1929
|Rev. Ian Lloyd
|-
|Lossiemouth UFC
|[[Lossiemouth|Lossiemouth, Moray]]
|[https://lossieufchurch.org/]
|1930
|Rev. Gordon Mackenzie
|-
|Balintore UFC
|[[Balintore, Easter Ross|Balintore, Highland]]
|[https://www.balintoreuf.com/]
|1929
|Rev. Scott Cameron
|-
|Cunningsburgh UFC
|[[Cunningsburgh|Cunningsburgh, Shetland]]
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|'''Kilmaurs Maxwell UFC'''
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|Rev. John Fulton
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|Dounby UFC, Orkney
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=== Churches (post 1929) ===
The following UFC churches, or sections of churches, are recorded in the ''Fasti of the United Free Church (1900-29)'' as having remained outside the Union of 1929 with the Church of Scotland:

* Alloa: Moncrieff (''a minority of members, who took the buildings'') (Presbytery of Stirling and Dunblane)
* Auchterarder: West (''some members'') (Presbytery of Auchterarder)
* Boddam (Presbytery of Deer)
* Bo'ness: Craigmailen (Presbytery of Linlithgow and Falkirk)
* Broughton (Presbytery of Lanark)
* Burntisland: Erskine (Presbytery of Kirkcaldy)
* Campbeltown: Lochend (Presbytery of Kintyre)
* Closeburn (Presbytery of Dumfries and Penpont)
* Dumfries: Loreburn (Presbytery of Dumfries and Penpont)
* Dysart: Normand Road (Presbytery of Kirkcaldy)
* Greenock: St Andrew's Square (Presbytery of Gourock)
* Kilmaurs: Maxwell (Presbytery of Irvine and Kilmarnock)
* Leith: Ebenezer (Presbytery of Edinburgh)
* Lismore (Presbytery of Lorn)
* Lochwinnoch: Calder (Presbytery of Paisley)
* Newport: Trinity (Presbytery of St Andrews)
* Sanday: East (''"a considerable body of members"'') (Presbytery of Orkney)
* Sauchie and Fishcross (Presbytery of Stirling and Dunblane)
* West Calder: Limefield (Presbytery of Edinburgh)
* Westray (''a majority of members'') (Presbytery of Orkney)

The following congregations were formed shortly after 1929:

* Lerwick

==Moderators of the General Assembly of the United Free Church==
1900 - 1929 <ref>{{citation |title=The Fasti of the United Free Church of Scotland 1900-1929 |editor=John Alexander Lamb |publisher=Oliver and Boyd |date=1956 |pages=569}}</ref>
*[[Robert Rainy]] (1900)
*Thomas Kennedy (1901)
*Robert Howie (1902)
*George Robson (1903)
*Robert Gordon Balfour (1904)
*[[Robert Rainy]] (1905)
*George Clark Hutton (1906)
*Charles Greig McCrie (1907)
*[[Robert Laws]] (1908)
*John Young (1910)
*James Wells (1911)
*Thomas Whitelaw (1912)
*James Iverach (1913)
*George Reith (1914)<ref>{{cite web |title=Looking Back: The Western Isles, 1914 In Pictures |url=https://www.lifeandwork.org/features/looking-back-western-isles-1914 |website=Life and Work: the Magazine of the Church of Scotland |publisher=Church of Scotland |access-date=3 October 2022}}</ref>
*Alexander Robertson MacEwen (1915)
*[[George Adam Smith]] (1916)
*[[Dugald Mackichan]] (1917)
*[[Robert James Drummond]] (1918)
*William Malcolm MacGregor (1919)
*Alexander Martin (1920)
*[[Adam Philip]] (1921)
*[[Donald Fraser (missionary)|Donald Fraser]] (1922)
*David Smith Cairns (1923)
*Alexander Steven Inch (1924)
*James Harvey (1925)
*George Herbert Morrison (1926)
*James Weatherhead (1927)
*John Harry Miller (1928)

1929-

*1929 [[James Barr (politician)|James Barr]] BD 
*1930	Rev Charles Robson MA BD
*1931	Rev J Sommerville Smith MA
*1932	Rev David M Forrester DD
*1933	Rev Adam Johnston Millar
*1934	Rev Bruce B Blackwood BD LRAM
*1935	Rev James Sneddon
*1936	Rev Alfred M Merriweather
*1937	Rev Samuel W Wilson MA
*1938	Rev David G Young
*1939	Rev Prof Allan Barr DD
*1940	Rev Prof Allan Barr DD
*1941	Mr James Goldie FEIS
*1942	Rev Andrew McNab MA
*1943	[[James Barr (politician)|James Barr]] BD 
*1944	Rev Colin MacDonald
*1945	Rev Peter M Shepherd OBE MD
*1946	Rev Thomas F Crow
*1947	Rev H Taylor Cape
*1948	Rev George A Hardie
*1949	Rev Frank Gardner FRGS
*1950	Rev Peter MacLeod MA
*1951	Rev Bruce B Blackwood BD LRAM
*1952	Rev Alfred M Merriweather
*1953	Rev Peter C MacIntosh
*1954	Mr John Forrester-Paton CBE
*1955	Rev J Howie Haldane
*1956	Rev David W Roy
*1957	Rev John A Paterson
*1958	Rev James Porter MA
*1959	Rev Francis Cougan
*1960	Rev [[Elizabeth Barr]]  BD
*1961	Rev Alexander Innes MA
*1962	Rev Ninian A P Bisset MA
*1963	Rev Henry G McCall
*1964	Rev Robert K MacDonald
*1965	Rev Robertson Taylor BD
*1966	Rev James Cassels MA
*1967	Rev Alexander Ross
*1968	Rev Colin MacDonald
*1969	Rev Albert Petrie
*1970	Rev Ernest Watson MA
*1971	Rev Duncan S Mitchell
*1972	Rev Henry L Brownlie
*1973	Rev Robert Buchan
*1974	Mr Robert S Clark
*1975	Rev A Douglas Scrimgeour MA BD ThM
*1976	Rev James P Young MA
*1977	Rev Archibald A Small
*1978	Rev Gregor Cameron MA
*1979	Rev Dr A M Merriweather CBE PH 
*1980	Rev Joseph G McPhee
*1981	Mr John Gray
*1982	Rev David W Roy
*1983	Mr Edward S Nicoll DFC
*1984	Mr Andrew K M Rankin
*1985	Rev William Johnston
*1986	Rev James H Alexander
*1987	Rev Thomas A B Patterson
*1988	Rev Arthur M Lawless
*1989	Rev James Cassels MA
*1990	Rev Graeme B Bruce LTh
*1991	Rev Andrew McG Begg
*1992	Mr J Fergus Henderson
*1993	Rev John A M McFie
*1994	Rev John Billows
*1995	Rev Joseph Creelman
*1996	Rev Gordon L Cowan
*1997	Rev James D Neil BD
*1998	Rev John C Allan BD 
*1999	Rev A Douglas Scrimgeour MA BD ThM
*2000	Rev John O Fulton BSc BD
*2001	Rev Archie M Ford BSc
*2002 	Rev Colin C Brown BD
*2003	Rev Donald Mackenzie
*2004 	Rev Stephen J W Matthews BD
*2005 	Rev James G Marshall CA BD
*2006	Rev Andrew McMillan BD BA
*2007	Rev David Cartledge BA
*2008	Dr Donald Macdonald BSc MRSC
*2009	Rev Martin C Keane BA BD
*2010	Rev Robert Owens BA
*2011	Mr George H McRobb
*2112 	Rev Iain F R Lloyd BSc BD
*2013	Rev Graham G Brown BSc BD
*2014 	Rev Gary J A Barclay BD
*2015	Mr Andrew Scott
*2016	Rev Alexander Ritchie MA LLM BD MTh
*2017	Rev I A Boa BSc BD ThM
*2018	Mr John Cross
*2019	Rev John O Fulton BSc BD
*2020	No Assembly
*2021	Rev Dr I David Miller BA BD MTh PhD
*2022	Rev Archie M Ford BSc
*2023   Rev Andrew Downie
*2024   Rev Colin C Brown BD
*2025	Rev Martin C Keane BA BD

==In literature and popular culture==
The dispute over assets between the Free Church and the United Free Church was satirised by [[Neil Munro (writer)|Neil Munro]] in his Erchie MacPherson story "Erchie and the Free Church", first published in the ''[[Glasgow Evening News]]'' on 8 August 1904.<ref>Munro, Neil, "Erchie and the Free Church", in Osborne. Brian D. and Armstrong, Ronald (eds.) (2002), ''Erchie, My Droll Friend'', [[Birlinn Limited]], Edinburgh, pp. 255 - 258, {{isbn|978-1-84158202-3}}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[History of Scotland]]
*[[United and uniting churches]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* Cameron, N. ''et al.'' (eds.) ''Dictionary of Scottish Church History and Theology'', Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1993.

== External links ==
{{EB1911 poster|United Free Church of Scotland}}
*{{Official website|www.ufcos.org.uk}}

{{Scottish religion}}
{{Christianity in the United Kingdom}}
{{CPCE}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Presbyterian denominations in Scotland]]
[[Category:Reformed denominations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Presbyterianism in Scotland]]
[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1900]]
[[Category:Presbyterian denominations established in the 20th century]]
[[Category:1900 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:United and uniting churches]]
[[Category:Christian denominations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Christian denominations in Scotland]]
[[Category:Christian denominations in Europe]]
[[Category:Presbyterian denominations in Europe]]