St. Thomas'-Junction Road Parish Church, Great Junction Street, Leith



HISTORICAL NOTES


Most of the information on this page is taken from the commemorative leaflet we prepared for the 175th Anniversary of our Church Building being opened as a place of worship. We held a special service on Sunday 23rd January 2000.

Background

In 1752 the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland enjoined the Presbytery of Dunfermline to induct a minister Rev Andrew Richardson, the presentee of the patrons, to the parish of Inverkeithing in spite of the opposition of the parishioners.

Thomas Gillespie (1708-1774), minister at Carnock, holding the view that no Church Court has the right "to intrude" a Minister on a congregation against its will refused to take part in the induction at Inverkeithing. The General Assembly found Thomas Gillespie guilty of "contumacy" (insubordination) and deposed him from the ministry.

In 1761, having been joined by two like-minded ministers, Thomas Gillespie founded the "Presbytery of Relief" for "the relief of Christians oppressed in their christian privileges".
The Relief Church advocated Voluntaryism: the separation between Church and State and thus the complete independence, spiritual as well as financial, of the Church.

A number of Relief churches were formed, one such was the Relief Church of Leith (1822) which became Junction Road Church (1825) and subsequently, St. Thomas'-Junction Road Church (1975).

This page traces the history and gives some idea of what has happened to this Church and Congregation since 1822.

Brief Outline

At the beginning of the 19th century, a group of people, who , though they belonged to Leith, worshipped in Edinburgh (mainly in James’ Place Church) resolved to form their own Relief Congregation. They rented the old Parish Church of North Leith (St. Ninian's near Innes Boatyard), petitioned the Relief Church Presbytery for permission to "establish a congregation in Leith according to the principles of the Relief Church...." and on 30th April 1882 received the Presbytery’s permission to proceed.

On 11th June 1823 the first Minister, the Rev Francis Muir was ordained and inducted.

On 20th October 1823 it was decided to build "their own permanent and respectable place of worship". The site chosen was the "proposed new road" which was to be called either Junction Road, Great Junction Street, or St. Anthony’s Road.

On the 22nd March 1824 the Foundation Stone was laid. The church was opened for public worship on 23rd January 1825.

In 1847 the Relief Church and the United Secession Church united to become the United Presbyterian Church and the Relief Congregation of Leith became Junction Road U.P. Church although some of its records refer to it as Great Junction Street or Junction Street U.P. Church.

In 1900, the United Presbyterian Church and the Free Church united and the church then became Junction Road United Free Church.

In 1929, on the union of the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland, Junction Road U.F. Church became a church of the re-united Church of Scotland with a parish of it’s own. It is interesting to note that one of the legacies bequeathed by the Relief Church to the present-day Church of Scotland is the "open" Communion Table at which members of all Christian Churches are welcome.

In 1975 Junction Road Church united with St. Thomas’ Church, Mill Lane, Leith to form "St. Thomas'-Junction Road Parish Church" and the Junction Road Church building became the appointed place of worship.

IMPORTANT DATES

1822 Relief Congregation, Leith is founded & the old Parish Church of North Leith leased as place for worship - 30th April.

1823 Rev Francis Muir, is called and ordained - 11th June.
A bible class & Dorcas Society are set up.

1824 Foundation Stone of Junction Road Church laid - 22nd March.

1825 Church in Junction Road opened for worship - 23rd January.

1835 Sabbath School is started by the Minister.

1836
Foundation of the Missionary Society for evangelistic work at home and abroad.

1840 The Women’s Foreign Missionary Society is formed.

1846 The Choir is formed & permission is obtained for its members "to occupy several pews in front of the Session-Seat".
The Juvenile Singing Class is started.

1847
The Relief Church and the United Secession Church unite to become the United Presbyterian Church of Leith. The Relief Congregation of Leith becomes Junction Road U.P. Church.

1865
The first Pulpit and Session-Seat are superseded by a new Pulpit and enlarged Session-Seat. Stained glass windows and a new heating installation are introduced.
Rev James Deans is ordained as colleague and successor to Rev Francis Muir - 21st March.

1867
The Young Men’s Literary Society is founded. (Note: in 1957 the collected Papers and Lectures of the Society was offered to and gratefully accepted by the City of Edinburgh Libraries and Museums Department).

1873
The Old Session House and the Vestry behind the Church are removed and a new Church Hall, Session Room and Vestry are erected.

1874 Junction Road Missionary Society takes over a Mission in Sheriff Brae.

1878 Rev James Deans resigns due to ill-health.

1879 Rev Walter Duncan inducted - August and in 1883 leaves to take up appointment in Manchester.

1883 Rev George Gordon Macleod inducted - February 5th June.

1883 Juvenile Missionary Society formed.

1887 Rev James M. Scott inducted - 22nd February.

1890 Ladies’ Work Party is founded.

1890
Communion Wine Disruption: September
A large number of members become increasingly dissatisfied with the use of alcoholic wine at communion. This leads to the Session Clerk, John Harrow and between 60 and 70 members (out of a membership of 1100) leaving Junction Road en masse to form their own church & begin worshipping in a hall at Riddle’s Close, later becoming Ebenezer United Free Church (It is interesting to note that a number of years later the congregation changed to the use of non-alcoholic wine).

1894
New Halls for Church, Sabbath School, & Mission Work are erected in Bonnington Road adjoining the Church - opened 4th October for the following activities: Sunday evening adult meetings; children's meetings & services; a Savings Bank (penny bank); a clothing scheme; prayer meetings; Working Girl’s Sewing Class; Band of Hope; and Mothers’ Meeting.

1900 The United Presbyterian Church & the Free Church unite to become the United Free Church of Scotland. Junction Road U.P. Church becomes Junction Road U.F. Church.

1903 Installation of the Pipe Organ built by James Jepson Binns of Leeds. The organ is used as a demonstration model for the rest of Edinburgh.

1919 17th Company of the Boys’ Brigade formed.

1920 71st Company of the Girl Guides and Brownie Pack formed.

1921 Unveiling of the War Memorial (1914-1919) in the Vestibule of the Church. - 29th May.
Manse in Summerside Street purchased.
Rev Joseph Gray inducted as colleague and successor to Rev Scott.

1922 Centenary Celebrations: renovation of Church & introduction of new seating. Special Centenary Services & Social to mark centenary and re-opening of Church - 1st October (Rev Donald Fraser, the Moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland is special guest. Rev Scott extremely ill and unable to attend the events).

1929 Union of the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland. Junction Road U.F. Church becomes a congregation of the re-united Church of Scotland.

1931 The Communion Table, the Baptismal Font and the Lectern are dedicated as a Memorial to the Rev James M. Scott (Minister of Junction Road 1887-1927) - Sunday 18th January.
Rev. James Oliver Ritchie inducted.

1932 Branch of the Woman’s Guild is formed.

1937 Rev Inglis Black inducted.

1942 Rev John Prendergast inducted.

1951 Formation of the Men’s Club.

1952 Rev Rudolf J. Ehrlich inducted.
Formation of the Country Dance Club.

1952 Formation of the Bowling Club.

1955 The Church is re-decorated. At the service of re-opening three Communion Chairs are dedicated "to the glory of God, in memory of the Fallen, and in thanksgiving for those who returned 1939-1945" - Sunday 16th October.

1963 The Young Wives’ and Mothers’ Fellowship is formed.

1965 Electric heating is installed in the Upper & Mission Halls and the Upper Hall is re-floored.

1968 Electric heating installed in Church Hall.

1969 Electric heating installed in Church.

1972 Electric heating installed in Church.

1972 150th Anniversary preparations and celebrations: the Church and Church Hall are re-decorated and re-wired & the Church Hall is re-floored. Service of Thanksgiving & Dedication - Sunday 22nd October.

1974 Death of Rev Rudolf J. Ehrlich.

1974 Plans for union with St. Thomas’ Church, Mill Lane.

1975
Junction Road Church and St. Thomas’ Church unite to form the congregation of of St. Thomas'-Junction Road Parish Church - 11 May
Rev D. Campbell Stewart inducted as Minister. George Houston & Archie Bryson appointed as Joint Session Clerks.
Congregational Board formed - William Greig appointed Clerk. BB Companies (2nd & 17th) merge to become 2nd Leith. Young Worshippers League established.

1976
Minister and family move to manse at 28 Summerside Street (from 148 Ferry Road). St. Thomas’s buildings sold in aid of fabric fund.
71st & 133rd Guides merge to become 71st Guide Company.Ranger Guides Company formed.

1978

Anchor Boys started.
Full Attendance Sunday 14th May - preacher Dr Leonard Small.

1979 Church Officers’ Room converted into a kitchen. Gas central heating installed in Bonnington Road Hall Complex. Church Halls used for the visit of Robin Barbour, Moderator of the General Assembly, to the Leith Churches.

1980

Diamond Jubilee of 71st Guide.s
First issue of "Church News".

1981 Dedication of Rudolf Ehrlich Memorial (Hymnbook Case & Memorial Prize to be awarded yearly to New College Student).
Frank Bardgett, first winner of Ehrlich memorial Prize preaches in the church - 12 December.
Silver Jubilee Presentation to Rev D. Campbell Stewart.

1983 60th Anniversary of Women’s Friendly Hour.

1985

Formation of Music Group.
10th Anniversary of United Congregation (Rev H.W.M. Cant: Guest Preacher) - 12 May.

1986
Valedictory service for Mrs Marie Sneddon as Missionary.

1987

First Gift Day - 30th May.
75th Anniversary of Women’s Work Party.

1988 Rainbows started.

1989 70th Anniversary of BB Company.

1990 Rev D. Campbell demits office as Minister.

1991 Rev Shirley Blair inducted as Minister on terminable tenure.

1992

Stewardship and Initiative Committee formed.
Telephone installed on church premises.

1993
Children allowed to take Sacraments at Communion for the first time.

1994
Birthday Book started.
25th Anniversary of Saturday Night Dancing.
Celebrations commemorating the centenary of the opening of the Bonnington Road Halls Complex - 7th-9th October.
Tuesday Afternoon Teas constituted as an organisation.

1995 Toddlers Group started.
Service to Commemorate VE Day.
Congregational Outing to Culross Abbey.
John McMahon - student attachment for 7 months.
75th Birthday of Guide Company.

1996
21st Anniversary Celebrations of the union of St. Thomas’ and Junction Road - May.
Presbytery approves the appeal of our Kirk Session to alter the Minister’s status from Terminable to Reviewable Tenure (5 yearly review).
Leith Churches’ Forum started with all the Church of Scotland Churches in Leith making a commitment to work more closely together.

1998 21st Anniversary Celebrations of the union of St. Thomas’ and Junction Road - May.
Presbytery approves the appeal of our Kirk Session to alter the Minister’s status from Terminable to Reviewable Tenure (5 yearly review).
Leith Churches’ Forum started with all the Church of Scotland Churches in Leith making a commitment to work more closely together.

1998 Kirk Session and Congregational Board reform their committee structures in order to operate more efficiently.
The Church Organ is restored by Jamie Lightoller, Organ-builder and rededicated at a Special Service - October
.

2000 175th Anniversary Service of Opening of Church for Public Worship (23 Jan 1825-23 Jan 2000).

2002 Rev Shirley Blair is married to a Swedish man, Lars-Erik Warg, in St. Thomas'-Junction Road. She moves to Sweden to work as Minister in Svenska Missionskyrkan.

2002 Rev George Clark Shand is inducted as Minister on reviewable tenure.



MINISTERS OF JUNCTION ROAD PARISH CHURCH

1823-1871 Rev Francis Muir
1865-1878 Rev James Deans
1879-1883 Rev Walter Duncan
1883-1886 Rev George Gordon Macleod
1887-1927 Rev James M. Scott
1921-1930 Rev Joseph Gray
1931-1937 Rev James Oliver Ritchie
1937-1941 Rev W.J. Inglis M. Black
1942-1951 Rev John Kay Prendergast
1952-1974 Rev Rudolf J. Ehrlich

 

MINISTERS OF ST. THOMAS'-JUNCTION ROAD PARISH CHURCH

1975-1991 Rev D. Campbell Stewart
1991-2002 Rev Shirley Blair
2003 - Rev George Clark Shand

 

SESSION CLERKS OF JUNCTION ROAD PARISH CHURCH

1823-1864 Rev Francis Muir
1864-1881 Andrew Moffat
1881-1885 James Clark
1886-1890 John Harrow (Jnr)
1890-1911 John Russell
1911-1921 Andrew Watson
1921-19?? Charles McDonald
19?? -1953

James Paton
J. Simpson & A. Bryson (acting)
1953-1955 Richard Borthwick
1956-1975 Archibald Bryson

 

SESSION CLERKS OF ST. THOMAS'-JUNCTION ROAD PARISH CHURCH

1975-1991 George Barclay Houston
Archibald Bryson
1991-1992 Archibald Bryson
1992-1993 William Greig (acting)
1993-1998 William Greig
1998 - Margaret Henderson