Union Church, Greenock

This photograph shows the former Union Church of Scotland in Greenock.  It was situated at the east end of Union Street near George Square.  It was demolished in the 1990s and a block of flats was built in its place. 

Union Church, Union Street, Greenock

Union Church was built in 1834 by members of the United Secession Church in Nicolson Street who had disagreed with that church’s choice of minister and left to start their own congregation.  It was known as the Union Street United Secession Church at that time.  The first minister was Rev Thomas Finlayson (1809-1872) who was ordained in 1835.  He moved to Rose Street Church in Edinburgh in 1847.  One of Rev Finlayson's important undertakings was to try to reduce the debt which had accumulated through the building of the church.  It was not finally paid off until 1853.

An interesting advertisement for a precentor from 1846 appeared in the local paper.  Note that "None need apply but those whose Moral Character and Musical Education will bear the strictest scrutiny"!

That same year, the United Secession Church and Relief Church joined together to form the United Presbyterian Church.  The church became known as the Union Street UP Church.  From 1847 the  minister was the Rev John Burns Smith (1819-1899).  Rev Smith was a popular minister and remained in Greenock until his death in 1899.  He is buried in Greenock Cemetery.

Union Street UP Church 1862

In 1884 the Church celebrated its Jubilee and a portrait was presented to former Provost James Morton (1822-1890) who had been a member of the church since 1848.  (See the portrait here.)

Photo source - Greenock Burns Club

In 1895 Rev Dr John Cullen became minister.  Originally from the West UP Church in Leslie, Fife he had been preaching at St George’s Church, Northgate, Darlington.  In In 1900 the United Presbyterian Church joined with the Free Church of Scotland to form the United Free Church of Scotland.  The church’s name changed again to the Union Street UF Church.

In 1909 Rev Dr Cullen moved to back to Fife.  His position was filled by Rev John Young who remained in Greenock until 1929 when he moved to Oban.  A keen chess player, he was part of the Greenock team that won the Spens Cup in 1911 (see photo here). 

In 1929 the United Free Church joined with the Church of Scotland – another name change!  In 1992 Union Street Church joined with St Andrew’s Church further along Union Street.  This church was renamed Ardgowan ParishChurch, now known as Lyle Kirk, Union Street.

The former Union Church building was demolished and replaced with housing.