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Galashiels, Relief Church, West United Presbyterian, United Free, Trinity Church of Scotland, united in 1936 with Galashiels, South [CH3/1256], to form Galashiels, St Cuthbert's |
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In 1836 the Relief Presbytery of Kelso looked into providing a Church Extension in Galashiels. The following year a station was opened and soon became a flourishing church. Shortly afterwards the Presbytery formed the people into a congregation with a membership of 56, worshipping initially in a hall. The congregation made good progress, and despite an initial upset regarding calling a minister, Robert Blair was ordained in October 1838 as Galashiels West Relief congregation's first minister. Rev Blair died on 13 June 1880, and a new church was opened on the very same day of the late minister's funeral; now termed Galashiels West United Presbyteryian Church. In 1900 the United Presbyterian Church united with the Free Church of Scotland, and the congregation at Galashiels West, was no exception; becoming Galashiels West United Free Church. A further denominational change took place in 1929 when the United Free Church passed back to the Established Church. This church then became known as Galashiels Trinity Church of Scotland. The congregation united with that of Galashiels South on 25 October 1936 to form Galashiels St Cuthbert's Church of Scotland. The congregation passed through several changes thereafter. Firstly, a union with Galashiels Ladhope in 1975 as Galasheils Ladhope and St Cuthbert's. Secondly, a further change of name was sanctioned in March 1981 to Galashiels St Aidan's. And thirdly, another union took place in 2005, this time with Galashiels: St Ninian's, reverting back to the name of Galashiels: Trinity Church of Scotland. |