Church History

Dating from 1843 but with its roots in the Reformation, the Free Church of Scotland owes its distinctive title to its historical struggle to remain "free" from state interference in its internal affairs. It is an evangelical presbyterian church. It has close and active relations with many other reformed churches of Jesus Christ throughout the world and stands firmly in the tradition which accepts the Bible in its entirety as the Word of God and, therefore, derives its forms of teaching, worship, ministry and government from it. The main emphasis of our worship is the preaching of the gospel, the good news of a free and sovereign salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

The congregations now connected with the Free Church of Scotland on Prince Edward Island have a long and interesting background. They have historical associations with the ministry of Rev. Donald MacDonald. This man so mightily used of God an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland who came from Perthshire, Scotland and after a comparatively short time in Cape Breton came to the Island in 1826. He preached wherever opportunity presented itself - in private homes, barns and hillsides. The content of his messages was strongly Calvinistic. Such preaching is in great contrast to that of present day ecumenism in which the great doctrines of the Reformation - "Justification by faith alone" and "Divine Sovereignty" are obscured if not completely obliterated. That great blessing followed Mr. MacDonald's endeavours is apparent by the abundant evidence that multitudes were convicted of sin and drawn irresistably to the Saviour whose blood alone can cleanse from all unrighteousness.

In the years since, the ministers and elders of these congregations endeavoured to uphold the everlasting gospel. However, following a series of church unions they became more or less isolated and as it was unsatisfactory to continue in such isolation eventually a link was established with the Free Church of Scotland.

This church is Presbyterian in government and the congregations on Prince Edward Island, at present, form three pastoral charges united under one Presbytery. The next superior body is the Synod of North America.

The members of these churches have differing ethnic backgrounds although, perhaps, the majority would be descended from the Scottish pioneers, many of whom came here in the early part of the last century.

At the time of Donald MacDonald's death in 1867 the population of the church was numbered in the thousands. Shortly thereafter, Rev. Mr. James MacColl spent a brief time ministering to these people. In 1875, Rev. John Goodwill, a former missionary commenced a lengthy ministry. Although there was not entire satisfaction with his preaching at first, a widespread revival occurred in the latter part of his ministry and the church greatly strengthened. During Mr. Goodwill's time some elders also conducted services being set apart as preaching elders. These elders included Ewen Lamont, George Bears, Elias Roberts, and John Compton. Other early ministers were Rev. D. M. Campbell and Rev. William Campbell.

About 1890 Rev. Daniel MacLean was ordained and continued his ministry here until his death in 1919. Rev. James MacDougall commenced his ministry in 1903 and laboured in the Western charge until his death in 1922. Rev. Ewen MacDougall, a brother of the above, began his ministry about 1907 and at first laboured in the Eastern Charge but following the death of his brother his ministry was extended to include the Western Charge. In the Central parish Rev. Donald Lamont ministered for a number of years following the death of Mr. MacLean. Several other gave brief periods of supply including Mr. Westaway who was minister in the church in Cambridge, Mass. for some years.

In 1937 Rev. MacDougall died. Rev. Galbraith then served in the churches for approximately one year. During this time Rev. Harvey Bishop was a final year student in the Free Church College in Edinburgh and commenced his ministry here in 1938. Except for an absence of two years, he ministered throughout the Island until 1959. About 1950 Rev. Horace MacEwen supplied the pulpits for a period of two years. In the 1950's and early 1960's there were a number of ministers from Scotland who gave brief periods of supply in the Western and Eastern Charges. At the present time there are three ministers labouring in the Presbytery of Prince Edward Island.

The Free Church of Scotland bears testimony to the Christian faith as stated in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the well known shorter catechism. As a church she steadfastly contends for a return to this faith of our fathers which rests upon the infallible and inerrant Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Such a return we earnestly look for as we enter the second century as a Province of the Dominion of Canada.