North Parish Church Stirling 1842 - 2005.

The North Parish Church opened on the 29th May 1842, in Murray Place, on the site of the old Blackfriars Monastery, after it had been decided that the two existing churches situated at the top of the town were inaccessible to many people , and that a third church should be built at the foot of King Street.

Widespread social and economical changes took place in Stirling over the next century, with industrial development, population increase and new housing further out from the town centre, with the result that the Presbytery decided that the town centre was "over-churched", and a meeting was called to discuss various options to overcome this. The final solution was to close the old North Church , and move the congregation to a new site at Braehead, which was at that time a rapidly expanding housing development.

The final service in the old church was held on 13 th July 1969 , and after some six months worshipping in the "Annexe" (A temporary wooden but at Goosecroft), the new North Church opened in 1971. The Foundation Stone from the original Church was located and placed in the new building as a Commemorative Stone.

Throughout the Changes of more than 160 years, the church has been blessed with strong traditions and loyal congregations. The Sunday School initiated in 1842 continues to this day, and music has played an important poll in the churches history , praise initially being led by a Presenter, and the first harmonium bought in 1881. The current organist/choirmaster has been with the church for more than 40 years, and there is an enthusiastic and expanding choir.

The church has survived many changes, not the least being the loss of half the congregation in 1843, at the formation of the Free Church, the temporary union with Viewfield Erskine Church during the Second World War, and the upheaval of the move to the new church at Braehead.

Eighteen Ministers have served the Church in its 163 year history: its spirit remains strong, and with Gods help will continue for many years to come.