Introduction to Airth Parish Church of Scotland
Airth Parish Church of Scotland celebrated 205 years as the central place of Christian worship in the village of Airth in 2025. The mission statement of Airth Parish Church of Scotland was ‘Reaching up, Reaching out, following Jesus to see Heaven in Airth’. The statement was rooted in the original vision – ‘Oh come let us walk in the light of the Lord’, which can be found in the centre of the magnificent stained glass window. Our evangelical background inspired our mission work and learning from the people who have gone before us was crucial. In our church we had Faith in the authority of God’s Word and cannot underestimate the importance of prayer and bible study expressed in lives of those who are committed. We were a friendly spirit filled fellowship who had clear and expressed values which included:
| the importance of bible study, prayer and spirit-filled lives |
| the value of praise in worship |
| loving God and others |
| serving and caring – especially trauma-informed care |
| the inclusion of the use of our peoples gifts and talents |
| the power of prayer and the experienced benefits of answered prayer |
| preaching from God’s Word |
History of Airth Parish Church of Scotland 1820 – 2025
The new Church in Airth was built of yellow sandstone taken from a quarry near the Pow Burn for a cost of £2000, contributed by the Grahams of Airth Castle and other local landowners. It was designed by an architect named William Stirling of Dunblane and, after 2 years of building, was opened for worship on 20th February 1820. There was a long central Communion Table on the ground floor, with pews positioned around it, and the Session House (in which the Elders met) was a room of 12 ft. square at the top of the tower. elders were perhaps fitter, or more determined, in these days! The exterior of the building has remained largely unaltered through the years, except for storm damage in 1968, when gales removed the finials and ballustrade from the top of the tower. The interior has seen greater change in the course of the years. At some time last century, the arrangement of the pews was altered and a new Communion Table installed. In 1969, the kitchen and toilet was added. In 1985 there were major renovations and redecoration as a result of an outbreak of dry rot. A Session Room was also built at the back of the gallery, necessitating additional supports (Pillars and Screen Table) downstairs, and a kitchen and toilet facilities were also provided upstairs. The architect for these projects was Mr. Arthur J. Elborn, an Elder and Session Clerk of the Church. The Church is particularly fortunate in owning some fine Communion Silver – 2 Communion Cups dated 1736 and 2 Victorian Silver Cups presented in 1809 and more recently in acquiring a Steinway Grand Piano.
Previous Ministers of Airth Church
Ministers of Airth North Church
The majority of the Ministers who answered God’s Call in Airth remained there for a number of years.
| 1820 – 1843 | Rev. J McGachan |
| 1845 – 1887 | Rev. William Park MA DD |
| 1888 – 1899 | Rev. George Simpson |
| 1900 – 1928 | Rev. Frederic Henny MA |
| 1928 | Rev Thomas Donaldson |
Airth South Church
In 1898 a United Free Church was built in Airth. The church/Hall/Manse complex were on the site of the present Co-op. The sole minister to serve in the charge was Rev. James H. Miller (1898 – 1955) and the congregation was dissolved on the 1st January 1956. Union took place with the congregations of the North Church which thereafter was known as Airth Parish Church. The South Church building was demolished in 1959.
| 1928 – 1963 | Rev. Thomas Donaldson |
| 1964 – 1968 | Rev. Samuel McGeachie |
| 1969 – 1980 | Rev. George Gillon MA JP |
| 1981 – 1993 | Rev. Anne M Ballentine MA BD |
| 1994 – 2001 | Rev. J H Fairful BD |
| 2002 – 2005 | Rev. R Hammond BA BD |
| 2005 – 2012 | Rev. W Denholm (locum) |
| 2012 – 2025 | Rev. J Todd BD CPS |
Our Church Organisations
The Guild in Airth
The Guild was formed in Airth in the year 1900 and for the past 125 years has …
1st Airth Girls Brigade
The Christian youth organisation for Girls was reaffiliated in 1991. The Motto of the Girls Brigade is to ‘Seek, Serve and Follow Christ.