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Church History

Church History

Origins

Clark Memorial Church was opened in June 1892, the gift of Mr. John Clark of the Anchor Thread Mills in Paisley, who had his summer residence at Curling Hall, Largs. The congregation which received this magnificent gift, however, had its origins in 1779, when services were first provided by the Burgher Presbytery of Glasgow, a group which had seceded from the Established Church in 1733. The congregation worshipped in Waterside Street before moving to the present site, first in a plain, thatched building erected in 1780, then in a second church opened in 1826, which still stands.

The Burghers eventually came into union with other denominations to form the United Secession Synod and in 1847 became the United Presbyterian Church. It was for the “UP” congregation that Clark Memorial was built. The name changed again, however, in 1900 after union with the Free Church, to form the United Free Church. Finally in 1929, the U.F. Church reunited with the Established Church of Scotland and Clark Memorial assumed the full status of a Parish Church.

Ministers of Clark Memorial Church and its Precursors

  • 1783-1789: Rev. William Watson
  • 1791-1821: Rev. John Leech
  • 1823-1829: Rev. Daniel McLean
  • 1830-1875: Rev. William Steven
  • 1864-1913: Rev. John B.K. Mclntyre
  • 1905-1946: Rev. James W. Gardner MA
  • 1943-1951: Rev. Andrew B. McLellan MA, BD
  • 1951-1958: Rev. lain McMillan MA, BD, STM
  • 1958-1966, Rev Charles H.H. Scobie MA, BD, STM, PhD
  • 1966-1983: Rev. David M. Beckett BA, BD
  • 1983-1997: Rev. G. Melvyn Wood MA, BD
  • 1998-2013: Rev. Stephen J. Smith BSc, BD
  • 2014-date: Rev. David Watson BSc, BD

Church Details

Bath Street, Largs KA30 8BL
(Click for map)

Minister:
Rev David Watson, BSc BD
Church Office: Tel 01475 675186
Weekly Services:
Sunday: 10am
Thursday: 10.30am

Bible verse of the day

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 John 5:13
DailyVerses.net

RSS Church of Scotland News

  • A message to the people of South Sudan
  • 'Awesome' Holy Land trip brings past and present realities of region to life for trainee ministers
  • Church leaders in Ukraine thank Kirk members for helping people displaced by war
  • Moderator has 'positive' meetings with Scotland's political leaders
  • Kirk calls first nuclear weapons treaty meeting “a glimmer of light and hope”
  • Moderator joins Aberdeenshire congregation to help mark 200 years of church history

RSS Largs & Millport News

  • WATCH: Stunning video captures dolphins playing with boat off Largs
  • Bus slides off road into ditch on Cumbrae in midday incident
  • Free summer football after police and club join forces to combat yobs
  • Awards at the double for Kelburn as it gears up for garden party return
  • Woman heads on mammoth challenge to clean up local area

© Clark Memorial Church, Largs.

Registered Charity number: SC002782

Website by www.md93.co.uk

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