CAMPBELTOWN'S PROTESTANT CHURCHES - A BRIEF
HISTORY
A. I. B. Stewart.
It may be appropriate at a time when one local church is being converted to secular use and another is being demolished to present a very short account of the history of the churches in Campbeltown since the Reformation.
This momentous event in so far as a date may be ascribed is considered to have taken place on 1st August 1560 when Parliament asked a Committee headed by John Knox to draw up an organisation for the Reformed Kirk. But it was not till 1690, after the accession of William and Mary that a Presbyterian Church of Scotland was finally established.
In the intervening years there was a constant struggle, sometimes reasonably amicable, sometimes bitter, with the alternative Episcopal form of Government. Episcopacy was in favour from 1584: Presbyteriamism in 1592: Episcopacy in 1610 to be replaced by Presbyterianism after the famous Glasgow Assembly of 1638, in which the Marquis of Argyll played such an important part. The Restoration of Charles II in 1660 implied the ascendancy of Episcopalianism and the active repression of the Presbyterianism form of Government which continued till the abdication of the Catholic James VII and II and the arrival of Dutch William in 1689.
Records do not exist which sufficiently illuminate the position in Argyll, Kintyre and Campbeltown. Kintyre was still Catholic MacDonald country till 1609 and the Seventh Earl of Argyll who became the feudal Lord of that ancient clan had married a Catholic lady in 1610, and can have had little interest in enforcing the reformed religion. There are no formal records prior to the Minutes of the Synod of Argyll which start in 1639 and the Minutes of the Presbytery commencing 1635.
Duncan McTavish in his introduction to the published Synod Minutes persuasively suggests that the Synod with its constituent presbyteries could not just have sprung into existence on the completion of the 1638 assembly business and that there must have been some pre-1638 organisation
And there is evidence of reformed clerics being in post prior to 1658 in various parts of Kintyre. Hector McAllister was in Kilcalmonell and Kilberry as early as 1580. Malcolm McO’Shennog was in Kilkivan in 1620 and Donald O'May in Kilkerran in 1627
A Franciscan Mission sent from Ireland between 1623 and 1629 makes frequent references to the difficultiess they encountered from local ministers including the minister of Gigha; but there is no indication as to whether they were Episcopalian or Presbyterian.
There is further evidence of the existence of the Protestant religion in Kintyre though it is worth remarking that the Act of 1562 by which a third of ecclesiastical benefices were appropriated to the Crown for the purpose, amongst others, of paying the clergy, did not apply to Argyll and the Isles.
For one thing the Irish missionaries seem to distinguish between the hundreds they claim to have converted (from Protestantism) and baptised, and the dozen or so they merely baptised: and as aready indicated the ministers made their lives very difficult; in one case at least leading armed bands against them.
During this period too, in 1622, a ship set sail from Campbeltown to assist the besieged French Protestants in La Rochelle full of warriors with such local names as McSporran, McLarty, McMillan, McNeill and McAllister: they were armed with bows and arrows and had with them two pipers and a harper.
The Protestant Bishop complained to King James VI and I of the activities of the missionaries but the wisest fool in Christendom replied that there was no need to be angry with those who were converting the wild natives of Kintyre to Christianity, even if it came from Rome rather they ought to be thanked.
The organisational unit of the Roman Church which replaced the old Columban Church was the Parish and the pre-Reformation Parish, each with their own church which were eventually incorporated into the Parish of Lochhead - Kilkerran, or Kinloch, now the Parish of Campbeltown were Kilkerran, Kilchousland, Kilmichael and Kilkivan. The first three were united into the Parish of Lochhead as early as 1617. At the same time Kilkivan was incorporated with Kilblaan and Kilcolmkill into Southend though it eventually became part of Campbeltown in 1772.
There were from Kintyre Ministers at the Synod in 1638, Murdo McWharry (Currie) at Saddell, Donald Omey, Lochhead, Duncan Omey, Kiicolmkill, and Malcolm McOsenage, Kilkivan.
Donald Omey was expected to preach in the three Parish Churches in turn and there was an obvious necessity for a central church in the expanding burgh. As early as 1642 the Synod took steps to put this right and the new Parish Church erected in the form of a Genevan Cross at the New Quay head was ready for occupation in 1643.
Its position is shown on the oldest existing plan of the town (c.1760) reproduced as Plate 73 of the Kintyre Volume of the Inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Argyll. All that remains of the first Protestant Church built in Kintyre is a stone dated 1642, and a bell, bearing the arms of Neil Campbell of Ederline, Bishop of Argyll, who became a ready convert to Presbyterianism and who was the Church’s first minister though he may never have taken up post.
But the new Church was not much good to the Lowland Settlers who had been coming to the district in increasing numbers since 1650. The first settlement was mainly on the East side and it was at Saddell that the first English speaking cnurch in Kintyre was established with the Marquis’s chaplin, James Garner, inducted on 17th June 1654.
Prior to that the Lowlanders had returned once at year to their old homes in Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire to take communion and to have their children baptised.
Mr. Garner was enjoined by the Synod to look after the interest of the Lowlanders in the neighbouring parish of Lochhead “their not being provision neither being through want of diligence or maintenance.”
The first recorded meeting of the Kintyre Presbytery was held at Lochhead on 15th August 1655 when the Highlanders or Irish (ie Gaelic) congregation were represented by Rev. Dugald Darroch and Lachlan McNeill Buidhe of Tirfergus, his leading elder, and the Lowlanders by Mr. Garner and William Ralston of that Ilk.
Campbeltown Lowlanders, however, wanted a church of their own and at their own expense, assisted by a grant from the Marquis they erected a church in Kirk Street, which became known as ‘the Thatched House’ to which Mr. Edward Keith, son of the Provost of Montrose was appointed in 1655.
The Marquis of Argyll crowned the young Charles II at Scone on New Year’s Day 1651, but when the Royal forces were finally scattered at Worcester and Cromwell occupied Scotland he made his peace with the Protector and retired to cultivate his garden at Inveraray. But his son, Lord Lorne, much to his chagrin joined the small Royalist band which which was still in arms in the Highlands. In 1653 he invaded Kintyre and finally obtained the surrender of Kinloch Castle, at the head of the Castlehill, which had been occupied by William Ralston and other Remonstrants - extreme Covenanters who opposed the Royal authority. Lorne suffered much obliquy for his lenient treatment of his father's tenants.
In contrast with the period 1645/47 when Kintyre was ravaged by Irish troops of Alistair MacColla, the Cromwellian period was generally one of calm and progress.
The House of Argyll favoured the Lowlanders and, probably under the influence of the Marquis, the Synod agreed tha a new church for the Highlanders - along with a manse - should be built at Kilkenzie while the Lowlanders took possession of the Campbeltown Church and Manse, even although the minutes indicate that the permanence of the Lowland settlement was by no means certain and that the stipend of the Lowland Kirk’s minister was not authorised by the Commissioners for the Plantation of Kirks. But the proposals were forgotten with the restoration of Charles II in 1660 and the consequent execution of the Marquis and Episcopal ascendancy. Both ministers were deprived of their charges in 1662. Mr. Darroch died shortly thereafter but Mr. Keith returned on an indulgence in 1672 when Mr. Cameron took over the Highland Charge.
Kintyre did not suffer like the Southwest mainland during “the killing times” but in 1665 two leading elders William Ralston and Colonel Halket were arrested and imprisoned for some two years in Dumbarton Castle. At the same time Colonel James Wallace escaped capture and made his way to the Low Country whence he led the Pentland rising.
The most important event to affect the town during the Episcopalian period was the raising of the Ninth Earl’s Standard of rebellion at Campbeltown Cross in the Spring of 1685. Both the Church and the Kirk Street meeting house were packed to hear a series of rousing sermons and a number of both congregations were executed, imprisoned or exiled to the Colonies when the rising speedily collapsed.
Later the Presbytery had to deal with the case of Hector McNeill who had been transported to the West Indies, but managed to return seven years later to find his wife had acquired a new man.
Both congregations, but particularly the Lowlanders were afterwards subjected not only to the depredations of the occupying Atholl troops but to the harrying of Islemen who stole everything they could lay their hands on.
Mr. Keith had died in 1681 and the Lowland congregation were without a minister till 1694 when by the influence of Elizabeth Tollemache, first Duchess of Argyll the redoubtable, if eccentric Revd. James Boes was presented. His energy was early directed towards obtaining full recognition of the Lowland congregation, though by the General Assembly. This resulted in the payment of his stipend out of the teinds, a well intended effort, which, after his death was to have disastrous results for the congregation. Mr. Boes went on to have a new stone church erected in Kirk Street at the expense of the congregation assisted by the Duke.
At the same time the Duchess presented the beautiful communion and baptismal dishes still in use by the congregation, though in the time of the Rev. Daniel Kelly the plate was found doing duty in the Manse to cover a barrel of salt herring.
Among Mr. Boes’ large family was Mary; she married Mr. Hugh Montgomery of Broomlands, Provost of Canpbeltown from 1725 to 1743. Their daughter Elizabeth married Rev. David Campbell of the Askomel family who was Minister at Southend, and from that union was descended the Rt. Hon. Henry Colville Montgomery Campbell, Bishop of London (1956-61).
Mr. Boes served his congregation till his death in 1749 and was largely contemporaneous with his colleague Rev. Charles Stewart who ministered in the Highland Church from 1708 to 1765. The hard copy Magazine No. 17 contains details of his interesting family.
During this period and for some time after, the Session was all powerful. It controlled poor relief, had much to do with education and above all jealously guarded the morals of the inhabitants. At least one Provost distinguished far beyond his native Parish for his noted services in Ireland in the year of ‘98 had to undergo the humiliation of public admonition before the congregation.
In 1757 the two churches were conjoined in a collegiate charge. Each church served the whole parish but there was only one Kirk Session, to which each congregation elected members. The two ministers took turn about in the chair.
The full implication of Mr. Boes’ efforts to have the Lowland Congregation recognised officially only became known on his death. The Duke of Argyll, as principal heritor had the appointment of the new minister in his hands and he presented Mr. John McAlpine, a Highlander, to the Lowland Charge. This was deeply resented by the congregation and hostility between congregation and minister flared up and it was not till shortly before Mr. McAlpine’s death in Edinburgh following his attendance at the assembly, that any sort of reconciliation took place. But the dispute over patronage immediately developed into open war. Almost incredibly the Duke, without any consultation, foisted another unwelcome incumbent. This was George Robertson, who had come to the town as a schoolmaster, become ordained and assistant in the Highland Church to Mr. Stewart whose daughter Mary he married. Only three members, including the Duke's Chamberlain signed the call to Dr. Robertson, as he subsequently became, and the most bitter opposition resulted in 1766 in the great bulk of the congregation seceding to form a Relief Congregation.
The tale of the courage and endurance of the members of the new congregation in overcoming every difficulty and frustration should be known to every native of Kintyre. In no time the congregation raised the then enormous sum of £1451 and had subscribed for 1217 sittings. They managed to get a plot of ground which did not belong to the Duke and which they still own. When the Duke prevented them from getting stone from the local quarry they got permission from Kildalloig to take it from Island Davaar but then pressure was put on him to forbid the use of carts or horses to ferry the stone across the Dhorlin. Encouraged by a female member of the congregation they undertook to carry the stones on their backs. This so impressed Kildalloig that he eventually agreed to the use of transport for a further payment of £4.
The Duke also frustrated all attempts to get sand in the neighbourhood. This was overcome by sending a boat to Ardnacross where permission was given by the Laird, Neil McNeill. The actual building was undertaken by the men of the congregation assisted by imported skilled labour. It has to be remembered that a considerable part of the congregation were tenants of the all powerful Duke and stood the risk of losing their farms.
The work was eventually completed with an entry in the accounts “To a drink to ye lads at taking down the scaffold of ye roof, 8d.”, and on 17 March 1767 the congregation was received into the Relief Presbytery, which at that time had only seven members.
Meanwhile the old Highland Church at New Quay Head was having some difficulties. The Church had been altered and reroofed in 1750 but when the greatest of its many distinguished ministers, the Revd. John Smith, was ordained in 1781 it was in a very dilapidated condition. In pressing the Presbytery in 1790 to build a new church Dr. Smith pointed out the danger of losing members to new and various sectaries such as the anti-burgers and methodists who had been active in the district.
But it appears that the only new sect to be formed at this time followed the evengelical visits of James and Robert Haldane, great grandfather and great grand uncle of Naomi Mitchison. (See No. 5 hard copy of the Magazine.) An Independent Chapel was set up in 1805 in Burnside Street where the Salvation Army Citadel now stands. Despite a hiatus between 1812 and 1823 it continued till 1863 when its congregation was dissolved. It has been suggested this was the first Congregation Church in Scotland.
Despite the initial opposition to Dr. Robertson who had been left in the Lowland Kirk with a congregation consisting of only a few lairds and personal adherents of the Duke, the minister worked so hard that the Lowland congregation was gradually restored to something like its former glory and it is recorded that towards the end of his ministry there were 566 on the communion roll and an average congregation, depending on the season of between 800 and 900.
By 1779 it was necessary to build a new church on the Castlehill and the first sermon was preached there on the last Sunday of June 1780 The old Lowland Church in Kirk Street became a ruin and remained such till restored as the Kirk Street Hall in 1904 during the ministry of Dr. James Cardie Russell, the “father of the Church,” for 35 years, and Dr. Strang, minister of the Lowland Charge for forty five years.
Dr. Smith to whose unflagging zeal in overcoming the reluctance of the heritors to building a second Parish Church, the “Big Kirk” owes its existence did not live to see it in use. At the centenary celebrations Dr. Russell stated it was first used in 1807 for the induction of Dr. Smith’s distinguished successor, Norman MacLeod, father of Norman of the Barony who was born in the Kirk Street Manse.
The first minister of the Relief Church was the Rev. James Pinkerton who ministered for thirty seven years. His third successor however Rev. James Smith almost succeeded in terminating the life of the congregation. He entered into a seemingly unnecessary dispute with the magistrates: regarding the ringing of the town bell and to this we owe the Longrow Church bell tower. At the beginning of his ministry seceders, who had no church of their own erected a church on the spot now occupied by the Episcopal Church in Argyll Street. This church continued till 1847 when the Relief Church united with the Secession Church to form the United Presbyterian Church. Longrow remained ‘U.P’ till 1900 when that Church joined in the United Free Church of Scotland. A good many members of the Relief Church started to attend worship there and on the rebound, as it were, Mr. Smith attempted to take his congregation into the Church of Scotland.
Every effort was made by the Relief Presbyery to patch up the differences but Mr. Smith was adamant and eventually he was cut off by the Presbytery. He, however, refused to budge. He demanded his salary and when a minister was sent to intimate the Presbytery’s decision he was interdicted at Mr. Smith’s instance from entering the Church, and preached to the congregation in the open air. Eventually the congregation were offered both the Secession Church and the Independent Chapel for their Sunday services.
The quarrel ended in the Courts, giving rising to the famous and important Campbeltown case which lasted three and a half years and eventually resulted in a decision entirely in favour of the congregation to the ownership and possession of the church property.
But the Church had still to suffer its greatest trauma since the Reformation. It arose on the festering sore of patronage; on the rights of the heritors to appoint a minister whatever might be the views of the congregation. The whole question had been the subject of much debate and much litigation for ten years prior to 1843. In 1842 the General Assembly by 241 to 110 denounced the encroachments of the State on the privileges of the church but on 8th March 1843 a motion claiming redress was defeated in the House of Commons by 211 votes to 76.
Radical and patriotic Scotland was up in arms and on 18th May 1843 the General Assembly adjourned to St. Andrew’s Church in Edinburgh where a Protest against the Conditions for an Established Church Was read out after which a procession which included eight former moderates, two University Principals, four theological Professors and the Lords Provost of Glasgow and Edinburgh, with more than four hundred ministers marched out to form the Free Church of Scotland.
In Campbeltown both Parish Ministers walked out. Mr. Duncan McNab of the Highland Kirk left his church practically empty. Rev. Hector McNeill, Laird of Ardnacross and Minister of the Lowland Kirk left behind only some fellow lairds (who of course had a proprietary interest in the kirk), and others who had recently joined the established church from Longrow, following the dispute with Mr. Smith. Before things had come to a head 2776 persons over the age of sixteen had undertaken to support their ministers and twenty two out of twenty three elders joined the Free Church.
Nearly 150 years later it is very difficult to understand the bitterness which this event caused in an age of faith. Strong men wept like children as they removed their bibles from the churches in which they and their forebears had worshipped and it was long before the wounds were healed.
Two new churches were built at Big Kiln and a Collegiate Session was set up and continued till 1863 when the Gaelic speaking section built Lorne Street Church and Mr. McNeill’s congregation built Lochend.
As already mentioned in connection with Longrow Church the Free and United Presbyterian Churches merged to form the United Free Church of Scotland. As always there were dissenters and those loyal to the old Free Church erected the new church at North Shore Street.
In 1929 the great Union took place. Longrow and Lorne Street rejoined the Kirk of Scotland while Lochend, under the influence of its radical Minister, the Rev. B.B.Blackwood continued as part of the United Free Church of Scotland (continuing). But Lochend has now been disbanded and its church demolished.
Finally in 1971 Castlehill as aged parents do, went to live in Longrow with its younger daughter, and continued to thrive under its much loved Minister Emeritus, the Rev. John Cormack, the Honorary President of our Society.
The Episcopal Church of Scotland, which some of its adherents would claim to be historically the Church of Scotland suffered from penal statutes till 1792. The merger in 1819 of the ancient dioceses of Argyll and the Isles prepared the way for reorganisation but a congregation was not formed till 1840. The first resident priest was not appointed till 1848, and the Seceder’s chapel, conveniently vacant, through the absorption of that congregation by the Relief Church, was acquired in 1850. The congregation worshipped there till under the energetic leadership of the first Rector, Canon Wakeham (1884-1922) the present church was erected in 1891.
I am particularly indebted to lectures given to the Society on various aspects of church history by the late Colonel Charles Mactaggart, Rev. Angus J. McVicar and Mr. Duncan Colville for information contained in this paper.
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