Kirkmahoe Free Church
At
the division of the whole Cameronian Church in 1763, the Kirkmahoe congregation
formed an original part of the Southern congregation. In 1781 the district was
divided into two separate congregations and this was part of the eastern
section. In 1798, a church was built in the village of Quarrelwood, which was
considered the centre of the congregation until 1832. At that time the centre
of the congregation was moved to Dumfries and the Quarrelwood church was used
as a preaching station.
At the
Disruption in 1843, a probationer, non–ordained minister, secured the use of
the old church at Quarrelwood. Here he conducted services for adherents of the
Free Church from the parishes of Torthorwald, Tinwald, and Kirkmahoe. The
charge was sanctioned in February 1844.
The new
church, on the South side of the road which runs East-West just north of the
village of Kirkton, was built in 1845 and reconstructed in 1864–1865. A hall
was added in 1891. The church was again renovated in 1894. Relations between the Free Church and the
Church of Scotland were not good, there being frequent arguments. It is believed that the Kirkmahoe parish war
memorial is sited outside the village because the Free Church congregation
objected to it being near the established church and insisted on it being
visible from their building.
Declining
population told seriously on the membership and in 1938 the church ceased to be a place of
worship. It is said that the late Walter
Duncan of Newlands, a polymath, could recite the last sermon preached there
from memory. Kirkdale, the house east of
the church was the Manse.
During
World War II, the church building had a variety of uses. The extension on the west side was built
about 1950 to increase its capacity as a Council store. It is likely that the building will shortly
be put on the market. Apparently, during
searches in preparation for this, it has been discovered that the deeds show
that the Free Church, D&G Council and the Church of Scotland all have
interests in it.
it seems there had been a fire in the manse Kirkdale, early last century which had occurred during the holiday season, consequenty by the time the fire brigade arrived the fire had been put out by the local quarry men.
Last known ministers at this church were Rev Adamson, with the final one being Rev McDowell.
Thanks
to Gordon Bissett, and Dobie & Connie Davidson for help with this information.
We should be most grateful for anything anyone else can add to this so that it can be put in our archives.
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