DATES IN THE FORMATION OF PENNINGHAME CHURCH

compiled by Jim McLay

  • 1093 Parishes were in existence in Scotland at the time of the death of Malcolm III
  • 1275 first recorded use of Peningham in the Bagimond Roll
  • 1448 The Bishop of Whithorn owned Penninghame Hall, near the parish church
  • 1497 James IV visited Penninghame Clachan on pilgrimage to Whithorn
  • 1560 The Reformation in Scotland; the parish system was continued
  • 1567 Martin Gib, reader, was the first recorded incumbent
  • 1576 Rev. Lyon Brown was the first recorded minister
  • 1677 The charter was signed for the foundation of the burgh of Newton Stewart
  • 1696 Rev. Robert Rowan started church records, the previous ones being lost
  • 1771 Penninghame Kirk opened in Dashwood Square, replacing the Kirk at the Clachan
  • 1783 The Cameronians set up the Rutherford Church in Princes Street, later the Reformed Presbyterian church
  • 1793 The Relief Church opened in Cunningham Terrace
  • 1841 Penninghame Kirk moved to the present building in Church Street
  • 1843 Disruption led to Creebridge Free Church
  • 1863 The north of Penninghame parish was used in creating Bargrennan quoad sacra parish
  • 1878 The Relief Church moved to a new building in York Road
  • 1909 The Free Church joined the R.P. Church in the Rutherford building
  • 1924 The R.P. Church joined the Relief Church to form Newton Stewart St John's United Free Church
  • 1929 The U.F. Church and the Church of Scotland were united throughout Scotland
  • 1971 The union of Penninghame and St John's, both Church of Scotland
  • 2001 The union of Penninghame St John's and Bargrennan to form Penninghame Parish
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    Clachan of Penninghame - Annual Service

    submitted by Michael Dunlop

    The following article appeared in the 'Wigtown Free Press' on 7th August 1879;

    'On the Sabbath evening the Rev. James Goold, Princes Street Free Church, held his annual open air service in the old churchyard, Penninghame.

    Not withstanding the threateining appearance of the weather there was a good congregation assmbled. After prayers the Rev. gentleman delivered an able and appropriate discourse from Hosea viii.

    The evening, however, turned out rather unfavourable, a severe thunderstorm having prevailed, which gave the sermon a solemn and awe-inspiring character as the thunder reverberated overhead and the lightning flashed through the surronding trees with great menace.'

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