Welcome
Balintore United Free Church has a rich history, with our congregation worshipping in the current building for the past 80 years. However, our roots stretch back much further. On April 17th, 2023, we celebrated the 285th anniversary of our church's admission into what is now the United Free Church of Scotland. This milestone reflects our long-standing commitment to faith and community, shaped by the dedication and perseverance of those who came before us.
On our website, we aim to share this history with you, highlighting the early days of our church and the journey that led us to where we are today. From the challenges faced by our forebears in establishing and maintaining the church, to the collective memories and experiences of our congregation, our story is one of faith, resilience, and community spirit.
Much of what we know about our early years comes from historical articles in Stedfast, the magazine of the UF Church Denomination, as well as from the invaluable contributions of our members. We are particularly grateful for the meticulous record-keeping and memories of the late Miss Helen Ross Skinner, whose work provided a strong foundation for preserving our church’s history.
While we have focused on documenting the early years of our church, we recognise that some records have been lost or were never fully kept. We invite anyone with additional information, memories, or photographs to share them with us, as we continue to celebrate and preserve the legacy of Balintore United Free Church.
In the early days, the congregation of Balintore United Free Church gathered in the Park Meeting House, the only asset they inherited from the newly formed Nigg: Chapelhill Church of Scotland. Though it provided a place to worship, the small, dark, and uncomfortable building quickly became inadequate, struggling to accommodate the 200-300 worshippers each week. Recognizing the need for a more suitable space, the church members and adherents were determined to establish a church that could meet both the spiritual and physical needs of the community.
With a shared sense of purpose, the congregation came together, pooling their diverse skills to build first the Manse and then the Church itself. Fishermen, labourers, joiners, farmers, painters, masons, plumbers, crofters, carpenters, and many others all contributed their expertise and hard work to bring the vision to life.
As recorded in Stedfast:
"On the afternoon of Thursday, 29th September (1932) a large concourse of people assembled to witness the laying of the foundation stone of our new Church, the weather being specially favourable. After prayer, praise, and the reading of appropriate passages of Scripture, the stone was declared 'well and truly laid' by Mrs Campbell. After the prayer of dedication, a short address was delivered by the Minister of the congregation, basing his remarks upon Zechariah 4:7. The building is now nearing completion, and we hope to have the Opening Ceremony soon."
Just a few months later, on December 8th, 1932, a mere three years after the formation of the United Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), the Balintore congregation held their first service in the newly completed church. This moment marked the beginning of a new chapter, built on the dedication, faith, and hard work of a committed community.
In the beginning.....
The Balintore United Free Church congregation was established in 1929 when 77 members of Nigg Chapelhill UF Church chose not to join the union with the Church of Scotland. Many of these members had been converted during the great revivals of 1921 and 1922-23, and they were deeply committed to maintaining their distinct spiritual heritage. The initial separation from the newly formed Church of Scotland congregation at Nigg Chapelhill was contentious, and on 6th October 1929, the UF Continuing group met in the Park Meeting House for their first gathering as a new congregation.
That Sunday, at noon, around 60 children attended Sunday School, and by 1pm, over 250 adults gathered for worship. The service was led by Andrew Ross and Andrew Vass, with several men leading in prayer. A weekly prayer meeting was promptly arranged for Thursdays at 7pm, and Communion was scheduled for 8th December. Miss Ross, in her report to Stedfast, poignantly noted, "It seems a misnomer that we, who number upwards of 250, should be called the 'Minority'."
Despite the ongoing legal battle over property and rights, the Balintore congregation continued to thrive and grow in their new identity. In December 1929, five new elders were ordained: Thomas Vass, John Morrison, Andrew Vass, Hugh Ross, and David Skinner, and two new members were added to the roll.
Communion Sunday was a significant event, with over 250 adults attending the service and more than 100 partaking in the sacrament. Recognising their growth and stability, a petition was presented to Presbytery, requesting that the congregation be upgraded to full congregational status. This petition, signed by 95 members and 160 adherents, was swiftly granted. Almost immediately, the congregation extended a call to Mr. Duncan Campbell to become their pastor. The call was signed by 99 members and 158 adherents, and Mr. Campbell was inducted on 25th February 1930. To mark the occasion, Mr. Campbell was presented with a "fine morocco wallet well filled with treasury notes," and Mrs. Campbell received "a handsome silver Georgian kettle," symbolising the deep respect and gratitude of the congregation for their new minister.
Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, initially accommodated in Braefoot, Hilton, quickly settled into Balintore. A fortnightly Gaelic service was soon added to the church’s activities, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the area. Mrs. Campbell also established a Women's Work Party, which began preparations for a summer Sale of Work—an initiative that continued for many years and significantly supported the building fund for new premises.
The congregation’s first baptismal service took place on Sunday, 8th June 1930, marked by the presentation of a beautifully inscribed silver jug to the parents, though unfortunately, the names of the baby and parents were not recorded. That year’s Communion Season, held from 12th to 16th June, was conducted outdoors "under a cloudless blue sky" due to the Park Meeting House's inability to accommodate the "upwards of 300 worshippers" who attended. The summer of 1930 saw an influx of holidaymakers, some visiting from as far as Australia, who were warmly welcomed into the church community. Two of these visitors gifted Mr. Campbell a "handsome, modernly equipped bicycle," a practical and much-appreciated gesture. However, that same summer, a measles epidemic forced the temporary closure of the Sunday School.
The United Free Church (Continuing) Moderator at the time, Rev. Charles Robson, expressed his admiration for the patience and perseverance of the church leaders during the protracted legal negotiations, which were often hindered by representatives of the Church of Scotland. The revelation that the Meeting House had only been "lent" to the congregation in 1929 came as a shock, making the eventual gift of the Park Meeting House to the Continuing congregation in 1931 a great relief. During this period, the church thrived spiritually, with an average of 230 attending worship, 90 at the English prayer meeting, 80 at the Gaelic prayer meeting, 40 at the Women’s Meeting, and 80 children in Sunday School. The December Communion saw such a large congregation that Mr. Campbell conducted a Gaelic service in the morning, while Rev. Harris from Dundee UF led an English service in the afternoon. That day, eight new members were welcomed into the church, though the evening service was so crowded that many had to be turned away. The year also saw the introduction of a Band of Hope, which grew to 85 members under the leadership of Miss K.M. Ross.
In 1931, work began on building the Manse, which was completed in the spring of 1932, and plans were laid for a new church building that would accommodate 100 more people than the existing Meeting House. During construction, services and meetings were held in Hilton School.
The new church building was completed in record time and opened on 8th December 1932. The Communion Season began the following day, and that evening, Mr. and Mrs. George Mackenzie were received into membership. The church and manse surroundings were "beautified" by members, with Alex Skinner and David Vass building the wall, while Alex and Donald Duncan constructed the gates.
David M. Forrester, Moderator of the United Free Church (Continuing) in 1932-33, vividly recounted the ingenuity and resourcefulness that went into the church's construction:
"Surely seldom has a church been built with more ingenuity and more economically than this. With the help of a builder who drew the plans, slates were obtained from a property being demolished in Dingwall; sarking came from the Highland and Agricultural Society's show-yard in Inverness; dressed stones were salvaged from an old fish-curing establishment on the site, and the stones of the old wall were put to good use. The result is a substantial stone building that stands on the same site as the manse. It features fixed pews and a closed-in pulpit. Although it lacks a hall, vestry, or heating apparatus—there isn't even a fireplace or vent—the warmth of the congregation's determined hearts more than compensates. The pews may be closely set for full-grown sitters, but they serve their purpose well."
As numbers continued to grow, new members were welcomed at every Communion season, more children joined the Sunday School, and a new Junior Christian Endeavour group was formed. In July 1932, a planned Sunday School and CE picnic to Nigg Ferry was cancelled due to inclement weather, but as the sun appeared in the afternoon, over 100 children, along with their parents and grandparents, enjoyed a happy time at Shandwick Bay. The CE began holding monthly open-air meetings in Balintore, attracting a sizeable crowd of listeners. In 1934, Mr. Campbell started a Bible Class for teenagers and introduced an afternoon service in Nigg Hall every alternate Sunday, which drew an increasingly large congregation. Spiritually, the congregation was exceedingly strong, with the evening service on 28th January being particularly memorable: "The Spirit descended with such power that the usual order of service had to be dispensed with, and the meeting was given over to prayer."
A highlight of 1934 was the visit of the Moderator, Rev. Bruce B. Blackwood, who not only preached in both English and Gaelic but also joined Miss A. McLean, the Denomination's General Secretary, in fine renderings of well-known hymns.
In 1941, the congregation became known as Balintore (Fearn), and by 1943, all debt on the church and manse had been cleared. Since then, eight ministers have faithfully served the congregation, all to the glory of God.
Early Years
In the early 20th century, the church was at the heart of both family and village life in Balintore. Every Sunday, people would walk or cycle to and from church twice a day, with children also attending Sunday School and Bible Class. There was no crèche, so even the youngest children, once considered old enough, were expected to sit through the entire service. Many recall making a single "pan drop" sweet last from beginning to end as a small distraction during the lengthy services.
For children, Sundays were long days. With the main church service at 1 pm, the morning felt particularly extended, as usual playtime activities were not deemed appropriate. Once dressed in their best clothes, children had little to do but wait until it was time to leave for church. Walking was permitted, either with parents or friends, as long as it was done in a dignified manner befitting their Sunday attire.
Sunday meals were prepared the day before, typically a large pot of broth with meat and vegetables that only needed reheating. No dishes were washed until Monday morning. Some families would slyly begin washing up on Sunday night, leaving a few dirty dishes on top to maintain the illusion that nothing had been touched. Many households followed the tradition of "reading the books" each evening before bed, which involved a reading from Scripture, prayers, and a psalm.
Electricity didn’t reach the villages until 1949, so paraffin lamps provided heat and light. The row of paraffin heaters along the central aisle of the church would certainly fall short of today’s health and safety standards. The cost to wire the church for electricity was £33.12.0, with additional expenses for radiators, and £47.10.6 for the Manse. A new electric urn, used for making tea and coffee, cost £7.10.0. Water was finally installed in 1951, at a modest cost of just over £15.
Church socials in Balintore were grand occasions, often so well-attended that young people had to perch on the windowsills. Local bakers provided bags of cakes, and tea was brewed in large urns, either on open fires outside or on paraffin heaters in the church porch. The programme featured performances by both the senior and junior choirs, interspersed with solos, duets, quartets, monologues, and recitations. One popular recitation among the boys was "What have I got in my pocket...". Helen Skinner, who organised the events, ensured that everyone was included, even encouraging those less musically inclined to "just stand there and don’t sing too loud." These socials were open to all villagers, fostering a strong sense of fellowship across the various churches in the area.
The church's Annual General Meeting (AGM) was traditionally held at the end of January and also included a social element. Over time, the social aspect was reduced to allow the congregation to focus more on the business at hand. The same simple refreshments—bags of cakes and tea—were also a staple at Sunday School trips to local beaches, where games and races kept everyone entertained.
Throughout the years, the church provided a wealth of activities for children and young people, both on Sundays and midweek. Programmes such as Band of Hope, Youth Fellowship, Bible Class, and Christian Endeavour placed a strong emphasis on learning from the Bible. Not only were Bible verses memorised, but entire chapters, like Isaiah 53, were committed to memory—a practice some members of the current congregation still recall. Children often attended Sunday School or midweek meetings at a church closer to home, which allowed for more social interaction with their peers. Those in the Free Church Sunday School faced an annual examination on their lessons—a daunting prospect! Many young people from the local churches also attended Christian Endeavour meetings at the United Free Church, and during Rev. Patterson's ministry, regular youth rallies were held in Nigg Community Hall.
The churches in the villages enjoyed a strong fellowship, from attending each other's socials to supporting one another during Communion seasons. Each year, transport was arranged for all to attend the Scottish Northern Convention, commonly known as the Strathpeffer Convention. In 1955, buses were organised to take people to Inverness, Dingwall, and Tain to hear relays of Billy Graham's Mission in Glasgow's Kelvin Hall. Several young people were converted during this time and remain active in Christian service today.
Communion was celebrated twice a year, traditionally in June and December, with the Highland Communion Season running from Thursday to Monday. In the early 20th century, schools and businesses in the villages closed on Thursday, the Fast Day. Attending all seven services—two on Thursday and Sunday and one each on the other evenings—was the norm. While only members participated in the Communion Feast, many more attended the services, and conversions often took place during these weekends.
Church life was constantly busy with activities such as cleaning, painting, and repairs. Funds were needed for various projects, including the construction of a vestry and later a hall, so the ladies regularly organised sales of work, and opportunities for free-will offerings were provided. Borrowed money was always repaid as quickly as possible, and over the years, the church premises were expanded and improved. Wall heaters replaced the old paraffin heaters, and later, electric central heating was installed. In 1960, the Vass brothers and Mr. Andrew Allan generously gifted a high-quality concrete garage to the church, and the kitchen facilities were upgraded several times.
Many of the people in the church today are descendants of those who established the church in Balintore. They recall remarkable individuals and events from the past, or stories passed down by their parents and grandparents. They also cherish their own memories of people and moments that have played a significant role in their spiritual lives.
