Our History
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Church Plant
When the areas of Smithton, Culloden, Cradlehall and Balloch began to expand in the 1970s, the Inverness Presbytery realised that something should be done to develop a Free Church work there. In 1978, the Home Missions Committee of the Presbytery, spearheaded by the Rev Douglas Milne, Glenurquhart, and Rev Finlay Mackenzie, Croy, decided to start services and do outreach work. Services were held in the Culloden Hall on Sunday afternoons.
After some time, it was determined that services needed to be at normal hours of worship and that the venue needed to be relocated. In 1979 services were started on a Sunday morning in the Duncan Forbes Primary School. Then in 1981 and 1982, successful Highways and Byways missions were held which enabled a Sunday School to be established, with the majority of the children coming from local homes with no church connection. As a result of visiting homes, perseverance and the support of the late Rev William R Mackay, the congregation was strong enough in 1983 to be given Outreach Status at the Free Church General Assembly. This allowed it to call a minister.
After some time, it was determined that services needed to be at normal hours of worship and that the venue needed to be relocated. In 1979 services were started on a Sunday morning in the Duncan Forbes Primary School. Then in 1981 and 1982, successful Highways and Byways missions were held which enabled a Sunday School to be established, with the majority of the children coming from local homes with no church connection. As a result of visiting homes, perseverance and the support of the late Rev William R Mackay, the congregation was strong enough in 1983 to be given Outreach Status at the Free Church General Assembly. This allowed it to call a minister.
The Calling of a Minister
In September 1984, the Rev David Meredith was ordained and inducted at a service in the Duncan Forbes School. On his arrival, evening services were introduced as well as a weekly prayer meeting in homes. In February 1985, the congregation elected its first indigenous Kirk Session (replacing the previous one made up of ‘assessor elders’ from elsewhere in the Presbytery). The original elders were Charlie Anderson, James Beaton, Rev William R Mackay, George MacLean and David Sutherland.
Growth & Expansion
The numbers grew steadily. There were 11 communicant members at the first communion service and 19 six months later. By November 1985, the Sunday school had a role of 44. Ladies’ prayer meetings were started. The Monday Club was established, which was the first children’s club. Services were taped and tapes were in-demand. The first two deacons were elected in 1986. Various outreach activities were held.
The result was that the congregation soon needed its own building to accommodate its activities and also to expand its ministry. In March 1990, the church building on Murray Road was opened, with the Rev Ronald Mackay presiding and preaching. This was followed three years later by the erection of the hall and flat, which were opened in November 1993. Wonderful financial provision was made for this project through a legacy, and increased facilities now became available.
David Meredith’s ministry has been blessed, and the work of the congregation has continued to expand: youth fellowship, more children’s clubs, door-to-door visiting, services in nursing homes, a lunch club for senior citizens, Christianity Explored courses, and video-taping of services for people in Achiltibuie, among other activities. In January 2002, a 9:30am service was introduced to alleviate the overcrowding at the 11:00am service. As a result of this growth, the ministerial team expanded.
The result was that the congregation soon needed its own building to accommodate its activities and also to expand its ministry. In March 1990, the church building on Murray Road was opened, with the Rev Ronald Mackay presiding and preaching. This was followed three years later by the erection of the hall and flat, which were opened in November 1993. Wonderful financial provision was made for this project through a legacy, and increased facilities now became available.
David Meredith’s ministry has been blessed, and the work of the congregation has continued to expand: youth fellowship, more children’s clubs, door-to-door visiting, services in nursing homes, a lunch club for senior citizens, Christianity Explored courses, and video-taping of services for people in Achiltibuie, among other activities. In January 2002, a 9:30am service was introduced to alleviate the overcrowding at the 11:00am service. As a result of this growth, the ministerial team expanded.
One Church, Two Locations
On 31 March 2008, Smithton-Culloden Free Church and Nairn Free Church were formally united and now one church with two locations: Murray Road, Smithton, and Gordon Street, Nairn. The 2008 General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland gave us permission to appoint an Assistant Minister for the joint congregation. In August 2008, Rev Murdo “Mud” MacLeod took up this position, accepting special responsibility for the work in Nairn, where he and his wife, Maggie, and two children live.
We are grateful to God for his goodness to us over the past three decades and look to him for guidance for the way ahead. (Psalm 127:1)
We are grateful to God for his goodness to us over the past three decades and look to him for guidance for the way ahead. (Psalm 127:1)
