DENOMINATION HISTORY
The Free Church of Scotland was formed in 1843 when most of the evangelical ministers in the Church of Scotland resigned because of state interference in its internal affairs.
Under a system known as Patronage, landowners could nominate and present ministers to congregations, irrespective of whether those ministers were evangelical or even whether the congregation wanted them. This was regarded by many as totally unacceptable. They understood the historic position of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland to be that the Church and State were independent in their own spheres and that they ought not to interfere in each other's business, but rather help one another for the Christian good of Scotland. The result was that in 1843, in what became known as The Disruption, a new denomination was formed. This was initially called the Church of Scotland, Free, but later became The Free Church of Scotland.
The denomination currently has over 100 congregations in Scotland, as well as 2 in London and 5 in North America, plus sister Churches founded by mission work in India, Peru and South Africa. The Church has a full time college in the middle of Edinburgh for the training of its Ministers and other Christian workers. The Free Church is in fellowship with many other Reformed churches throughout the world and stands firmly in the tradition which accepts the Bible as its supreme standard and the Westminster Confession as its subordinate standard. Central to our worship therefore is the preaching of the gospel - the good news of salvation through the sovereign grace of God in His Son Jesus Christ.
Under a system known as Patronage, landowners could nominate and present ministers to congregations, irrespective of whether those ministers were evangelical or even whether the congregation wanted them. This was regarded by many as totally unacceptable. They understood the historic position of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland to be that the Church and State were independent in their own spheres and that they ought not to interfere in each other's business, but rather help one another for the Christian good of Scotland. The result was that in 1843, in what became known as The Disruption, a new denomination was formed. This was initially called the Church of Scotland, Free, but later became The Free Church of Scotland.
The denomination currently has over 100 congregations in Scotland, as well as 2 in London and 5 in North America, plus sister Churches founded by mission work in India, Peru and South Africa. The Church has a full time college in the middle of Edinburgh for the training of its Ministers and other Christian workers. The Free Church is in fellowship with many other Reformed churches throughout the world and stands firmly in the tradition which accepts the Bible as its supreme standard and the Westminster Confession as its subordinate standard. Central to our worship therefore is the preaching of the gospel - the good news of salvation through the sovereign grace of God in His Son Jesus Christ.
LOCAL HISTORY
Immediately following the Disruption, Perth - “where the Scottish Reformation first sprang from thought into action” - had five Free Church congregations. Knox Free Church, which became the sixth congregation, began as a Mission Station Outreach to working class folk in the Meal Vennel just off South Street.
Through the labour of Walter Davidson, the first pastor, the congregation grew rapidly and a church building was opened on 25th March, 1857. This building, which fronted onto South Street, Perth, was in use for almost 100 years until it became a burden to the then much reduced congregation.
After several years in a hall above licensed premises in North William Street, a new church building was opened in the Tulloch district on the site of the present church. Unfortunately due to a major design fault and inadequate foundations, this building lasted for less than twenty years. It was demolished and replaced by the present church which was opened in September 1989 by the late Professor Douglas MacMillan of the Free Church College, Edinburgh.
In May 2002 The General Assembly united the congregation of Aberfeldy, Glenlyon and Pitlochry with the congregation of Perth under the name of Perth and Pitlochry Free Church and under the pastorate of Rev. Duncan M. Macleod. However, more recently the church's name has been changed to Knox Church Perth, reflecting the fact that our primary area of mission is the city of Perth and all surrounding villages and towns.
Ministers who have served the congregation during the past fifty years include:- Rev Kenneth MacKay, Rev Donald Fraser, Rev John W Heenan, Rev David Paterson, Rev Duncan M Macleod and the present incumbent, Rev Paul Gibson.
Through the labour of Walter Davidson, the first pastor, the congregation grew rapidly and a church building was opened on 25th March, 1857. This building, which fronted onto South Street, Perth, was in use for almost 100 years until it became a burden to the then much reduced congregation.
After several years in a hall above licensed premises in North William Street, a new church building was opened in the Tulloch district on the site of the present church. Unfortunately due to a major design fault and inadequate foundations, this building lasted for less than twenty years. It was demolished and replaced by the present church which was opened in September 1989 by the late Professor Douglas MacMillan of the Free Church College, Edinburgh.
In May 2002 The General Assembly united the congregation of Aberfeldy, Glenlyon and Pitlochry with the congregation of Perth under the name of Perth and Pitlochry Free Church and under the pastorate of Rev. Duncan M. Macleod. However, more recently the church's name has been changed to Knox Church Perth, reflecting the fact that our primary area of mission is the city of Perth and all surrounding villages and towns.
Ministers who have served the congregation during the past fifty years include:- Rev Kenneth MacKay, Rev Donald Fraser, Rev John W Heenan, Rev David Paterson, Rev Duncan M Macleod and the present incumbent, Rev Paul Gibson.
