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Wilson: In 1740 eight ministers of the Established Church seceded to form a new church, known originally as the Associated Synod, then in the early years of the nineteenth century as the United Secession Church, and from 1847, following a union with another seceding church, as the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland. One of these eight ministers was Rev William Wilson of Perth. He and his congregation first worshipped in the Glovers' Yard near Fair Maid's House, but in November 1740 they moved to a new church, the first to be built in Scotland by a congregation and not by the heritors or landowners. The entry was from High Street and the building was sited on what is now the roadway of Scott Street. In 1894 the Town Council decided to create a new link between High Street and South Street. The church was sold to the Town, who granted a site on the west side of the new Street and the new church was opened for worship in 1896.
Bridgend: In 1894 the United Presbyterian Presbytery of Perth built a new church in Main Street, Bridgend, in response to a petition from a number of regular worshippers in the district.
St Matthew: St Matthew's was born on 1st May, 1965 from the union of four city churches which had come into being on different dates - Wilson (1740), West (1843), Middle (1843), and Bridgend (1894). In 1964 the West and Middle charges were vacant by reason of the death of Rev David Crosbie and the retiral of Rev Drummond Hunter respectively. The officebearers of the four congregations saw a situation holding promise of a fourfold union and the minister of the linked charge of Wilson and Bridgend indicated his willingness to retire to facilitate such a union. Representatives of the four congregations chose the name St Matthew's and this was incorporated in the Basis of Union which was approved by the congregations and the Presbytery of Perth.
[Above details taken from 'St Matthew's Church Perth, A Brief History', CH3/1284/93] |