END OF AN ERA FOR WESTRAY Nancy Scott reports on the final service in the UF Church on Westray – and reminds us of some of the history of the congregation.
Sunday 25 October 2009
For nearly 30 years the Westray congregation has worshipped in the hall adjoining their church, the Reid Memorial Hall which was named in memory of their first minister who served the congregation for 37 years.
On Sunday 25th October 2009 the last United Free Church service was held in Westray. The secession congregation built their own church in 1823, seating 300 people. As the congregation grew a gallery was added giving another 150 seats. When even this was too small a new kirk seating 550 was built in 1866 at the Braehead. By this time the congregation was United Presbyterian and became United Free following the national union in 1900. The older church became known as theSheepie Kirk. At Rapness a Free Kirk congregation was formed in 1876 and they built a church there in 1883. This congregation also became United Free and was linked to the bigger congregation in the north of the island. In the mid 1920s the property in Rapness was sold to the Church of Scotland leaving the Braehead kirk the only United Free Kirk in Westray.
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When the majority of United Free congregations voted to join with the Church of Scotland in 1929, Westray voted against it and became one of the churches known as United Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). This word “continuing” was eventually dropped. When the last minister, Rev Craig Wilson, left in 2006, it became clear Westray UF Kirk would not get another minister, owing to the general shortage of ministers in the denomination and because the congregation could not support a full time minister. There were many meetings and prayer meetings to decide the best way forward and in 2008 the members voted to close the Kirk. From January 2009 the congregation ceased to worship regularly in the Reid Memorial Hall, meeting instead on alternate Sunday mornings with the Church of Scotland and Baptist congregations. Sunday evening services have, for some years, been
united services meeting in turn in the three kirks, and, after it was built, in Kalisgarth care centre. The wheels within Presbyterianism turn very slowly but eventually in 2009 the property was advertised and it was purchased by Adam & Linda Sharp. Most of the furniture in the manse and moveables from the kirk were sold during the summer of 2009, leaving only the furnishings in the Reid Memorial Hall which were retained until after the final service in October (use of building kindly granted by Adam and Linda Sharp for this occasion). Some small tables were gifted to the Papay kirk (on the neighbouring island of Papa Westray). The reading light from the pulpit in the big kirk, the tea urn and other items were given to the Westray Parish Kirk. Not long after this the organ was sent to Dounby UF Kirk when theirs broke down.
The last United Free Kirk service was held in the Reid Memorial Hall at 11.30am. In spite of numerous people being away on holiday or at the Baptist Assembly, well over one hundred people attended this united service which was led by Rev David Cartledge, Interim Moderator. Kathleen Hilton, who has helped so often over the years, provided music on her own keyboard and the singing was hearty. Danny Harcus, Session Clerk, welcomed and thanked everyone for their help over what had been a time of difficult decisions. The UF congregation really appreciate the friendship, help and patience shown by the other kirks. Rev Iain MacDonald, Church of Scotland, Westray, and John Drever, treasurer, Westray Baptist Church, Westray, both encouraged the UF congregation to look forward and assured them of a welcome wherever they made their new church home. Margaret Eunson, Session Clerk, Dounby UF, read a letter from Rev Joe and Mrs Creelman and also brought her own advice on going forward.
Some of the youngest Westray UF folk, Kenneth and Louise Harcus with Bobby, Connor and Lizzie.
Rev Graeme Bruce, clerk to the United Free Church Presbytery of the North preached on Matthew 28: 16 – 20, again looking forward and saying there is still work for the UF people to do, albeit in a new sphere. After this last service the lectern, the Communion table and pew Bibles were gifted to the Westray Baptist Kirk.
The most senior member of the congregation on Sunday 25 October, Zena Bain, retired elder, aged 86, was determined to be at the last service in the kirk which has been so much part of her whole life.
The Westray United Free Church of Scotland congregation will now inevitably divide between the other two kirks but will remain members of the UF denomination until the last items are approved by Presbytery in February 2010.
Nancy Scott read Matthew chapter 28 from the Study Bible which was presented to Danny Harcus as a token of appreciation for the many hours he had put in as Session Clerk .
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