North Queensferry Church History

The present church building, next to the Railway Station and dating to 1964 is arguably the fourth in the village.

St James’s Chapel was first known church from some time prior to 1300, until it ceased to function as a chapel some time in the late 1500s.

For the next three centuries, until the 1850s, villagers would have travelled to the churches in Inverkeithing or South Queensferry across the water, or attended Field Conventicles (open air services).

In 1642, with the assent of Dunfermline parish, North Queensferry became attached to the Inverkeithing parish church; (North Queensferry remained part of the official parish of Dunfermline until 1855, when it formally transferred to Inverkeithing.)
1500 – no Village Church
1600’s – Field Conventicles
1700’s – The Sailors’ Society

In 1855, Robert Robertson purchased a former inn, and founded a “Meeting House” for the village. Over the following years this was known as the Meeting House, Preaching Station and finally the Mission Hall.

1800’s – The Meeting House
Where was the Meeting House?
Meeting House Ministers
Secular Meeting House Activities

Other venues were pressed into use for services
Other Venues

Finally in the late 1800’s a new church was built
1876 – Looking to the future
1878 – The new Free Church
Location of the Free Church
1926 – The Ypres Bell
20th Century Changes
Officials in the “new” church

However it only survived until 1962, when it was demolished
1962 – Demolition of the “new” church

The present church was opened in 1963
1963 – The Present Church
Officials in the Present Church
More about the Present Church

December 2017 – Ypres Bell Update
Acknowledgements