Baptist in Sutherland 200 years before the Free Church!

Today I want to tell you of evidence that Baptists were in the Highlands a lot earlier than you may have thought.

But before that remember if you have not completed the questionnaire please do so if you live in the Highlands of Scotland.

Brian Robertson says "It is fairly safe to say there were Baptists in Perth by 1653. Cromwell having established himself in Scotland set up 18 garrisons in towns like Leith, Ayr and Perth. Cromwell initially was tolerant of Baptists but at some point changed his mind and became anti Baptist. ( Was this because of a pacifist influence from them?)"

In 

Archbald Maclean 1733-1812

 Baptist Pioneer in Scotland

By Robert Dawson Mitchell 1950

he states in page 45 of his 348 page thesis that according to Hexham records p 301,302 "Baptists seem to have penetrated as far north as Sutherland, for there is a record of a letter written to the "soldiers in the garrison at Holmdell  (Helmsdale) in Sutherland shire by William Packer. A reply to this letter was written in 1656 by Jonas Dell, soldier in opposition to those dipping themselves in water."





Hexham records p 301,302
History of Baptist in Scotland page 30

So there you are 1656 that's approx 200 years before the Free Church of Scotland (1843) and 100 years before Keiss Baptist Church was established(1750) recognised as the, first Baptist church in Scotland, in Caithness -there were Baptist in Helmsdale Sutherland.

Balchristies... were mentioned who are they?

I recently mentioned the Balchristies in a post and wanted to start a search on the roots and attributes of them as a church/group. They seem to have a link to the Culdees an Irish group from many years ago,- long before the reformation, who have their roots in Druidism. It would seem that at some point the Catholic Church tried to influence them and make them more mainstream. Culdees had a site in, or near Colinsburgh at Newburn their Chapel is a ruin all underground or indeed flattened. The Culdees had a estate called balchristies and I am assuming that a group was formed in the area and took their name from the estate. " something like those who worship at Balchristie....which becomes Balchristies for short.


So now doing a search on my machine I discover this little bit from a document in 2006.

"

Balchristie, which is close to the eastern side of the parish, and only a mile to the south-west of Colinsburgh, cannot be called a village now. Malcolm Canmore and St Margaret gave the village of Balchristie to the Culdees of Loch-Leven eight hundred years ago. Last century the proprietor "dug up the foundation-stones of an old edifice near the western wall of his garden, and in the very place where, according to the best accounts, the church of the Culdees stood." Mr Laurie was told that "this was the first Christian church in Scotland," and he appears to have thought that the tradition was not baseless; but the more matter-of-fact people of the present day will soon set aside its claims to such antiquity. Ecclesiastical associations of a more recent date are also connected with this place. James Smith—"a well-favoured person, of good manners, unquestionable piety, and good report; of a tender holy walk, and sweet natural temper; zealous and prudent, with a good stock of learning "—having adopted Independent views of church-government, resigned his charge of the parish, after thirty-three years’ faithful service, and, with Robert Ferrier of Largo, started a meeting-house at Balchristie. In 1795, Laurie says:- "It has been often remarked, that Newburn, for many years past, has been a nursery of Seceders; and remarked with surprise, that a small arm of the sea should be the boundary between moderation and fanaticism. Cameronians, Independents, persons belonging to the Burgher Congregation, and also to what is called the Relief Congregation, are to be found here. The number of Independents is about 20. They are the only sect who have a place of meeting for public worship in the parish." In spite of their dissenting propensities the parishioners were sober, regular, industrious, and humane, and their diversity of sentiments did not prevent social intercourse nor mutual good offices. The Seceders had not increased of late, and one of the Relief elders had returned to the Established Church; and so, to Mr Laurie, "rational religion" seemed to be gaining ground, and he fondly hoped that "the small remainder of enthusiasm" would most probably die with those who cherished it. His hopes were so far realised, in 1836, that the Independent Congregation had removed their place of meeting to Earlsferry, their church at Balchristie being turned into a granary, and there were only three dissenting families in the whole parish."

So now what is the connection to Perth and a group in the town. Now it all comes back to me ....Perth Baptist Church The History the People and or  an extract from a possible new book yet to be published about the Scottish Church..

Perth Baptist Church fire, The old Opera House Tay Street.July 1984

Brian Robertson says,

"David Dale set up a Chapel of ease^* which in 1769 became an independent Church with Dale as one of the elders. Both Dale and the Balchristies historically known as Old Scots Independents- small, and sharing Glasite ideas of Church life and practise....  Berean Church- John Barclay 1734 1798 John Barclay of  Muthill was from the Church of Scotland and leader of a small connection, Congregational in principle in 1772. It was not great in the national context but, it is worthy to mention that in Perth the gathering, Berean Church based on Acts 17 -  "Mortgaged their meeting place to supply the want of the poor". Churches were also present in Crieff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Arbroath, Montrose and Brechin."

Further research required!

*Chapels of Ease were set up and funded by the Church of Scotland and the local Christians. In 1827 there were 55 set apart ministers of Chapels of ease in the Highland Presbyteries.(36 missionaries at the same time) They were set up for the poor and needy and were used for accommodation as well as worship.

Who are the Culdees (wiki) general background

Culdees Castle , Methill Perthshire, a "Listed" castle and house for sale on Galbraiths Summer 2018.

Culdees Eco village   Group near Aberfeldy roots unknown but using the name.