Associated Presbyterian Churches

Scottish Calvinist denomination

Associated Presbyterian Churches

Classification| Protestant
Theology| Reformed Westminster Confession of Faith
Polity| Presbyterian
Associations| World Reformed Fellowship[1]
Origin| May 1989
Inverness
Separated from| Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
Congregations| 4 congregations in Scotland.
Official website| https://www.apchurches.org/
Timeline showing the evolution of the churches of Scotland from 1560 Religion in Scotland

Eras

* Overview
* Prehistoric
* Medieval
* Reformation
* 17th century
* 18th century
* 19th century
* Contemporary

Events

* Christianisation
* Cum universi
* Reformation Parliament
* Five Articles of Perth
* National Covenant
* Solemn League and Covenant
* Westminster Confession
* The Killing Time
* Glorious Revolution
* Marrow Controversy
* Patronage Act 1711
* First Secession
* Second Secession
* Great Disruption of 1843
* Catholic emancipation
* Tell Scotland Movement

Topics

* Evangelical revival
* Freedom of religion
* Missions
* Music
* Popular religion
* Saints
* Sectarianism

Extant Christian denominations

* Associated Presbyterian Churches
* Baptist Union of Scotland
* Church of Scotland
* Congregational Federation
* Didasko
* Eastern Orthodoxy
* Fellowship of Independent
Evangelical Churches

* Free Church of Scotland
* Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)
* Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
* International Presbyterian Church
* Latter-day Saints
* Methodist Church of Great Britain
* Oriental Orthodoxy
* Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland
* Roman Catholic Church
* Salvation Army
* Scottish Episcopal Church
* United Free Church of Scotland
* United Reformed Church

Historic Christian denominations

* Old and New Lights
* Anti-Burgher movement
* Associate Presbytery
* Bereans
* Buchanites
* Catholic Apostolic Church
* Covenanters
* Cameronian
* Engagers
* Kirk Party
* Evangelical Union
* Free Church of Scotland (1843–1900)
* Glasites
* Original Secession Church
* Relief Church
* United Presbyterian Church
* United Secession Church

Christian ecumenism

* Action of Churches Together in Scotland
* Iona Community
* Scottish Bible Society
* Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office

Non-Christian faiths

* Baháʼí Faith
* Buddhism
* Hinduism
* Islam
* Judaism
* council
* Paganism (modern)
* Sikhism

Scotland portal

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The Associated Presbyterian Churches (APC) is a Presbyterian church, with congregations in Scotland, and formerly in Canada and New Zealand. It was formed in 1989 as a result of division in the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

* Reformed Christianity portal

## History

[edit]

The division occurred because of a continuing difference over liberty of conscience (as defined in the Westminster Confession of Faith), which came to a head over the attendance of Lord Mackay of Clashfern at a Requiem Mass which formed part of the funeral of a colleague, former Lord Justice Clerk Lord Wheatley. As Mackay was Lord Advocate for Scotland, it was expected that he attend the funeral of a deceased member of the judiciary; Wheatley was also a friend of Mackay. However, Mackay was also an elder in the Edinburgh congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church, and some within the leadership of the denomination (but not within the Edinburgh congregation) found his attendance intolerable, as it regards the Roman Catholic Church as spurious and the Mass as idolatrous. As a result, Mackay was suspended from office as an elder. In addition, the Rev. Alexander Murray (Lairg) was suspended on the same day as Lord Mackay for asking a Roman Catholic priest to say a prayer at a meeting.[2]

Some in the church disagreed with this punishment and a split ensued on 25th May 1989, not only over the Mackay affair (and Alexander Murray) but also the ongoing issue of freedom of conscience.[3] Those who formed the APC believed that liberty of conscience was not being given sufficient place in the Free Presbyterian Church, and that the disciplinary action taken by the Free Presbyterian authorities against Lord Mackay was inappropriate.[4]

They also asserted that the Free Presbyterian Church failed to put into practice the Westminster Confession of Faith's teaching on Communion of the Saints. "The APC seeks to re-assert this communion as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith itself." The APC made various unsuccessful attempts at encouraging unity among similar churches in Scotland (Free Church of Scotland, International Presbyterian Church, Free Church (Continuing), Reformed Presbyterian Church). Since 1989, the majority of its congregations have merged with Free Church of Scotland congregations.

In the months and years after the split, there were legal issues, as the departing ministers often were still residing in the manse, and using disputed buildings for worship, as often the majority of the original congregation departed the denomination alongside their minister.[2]

Rev. Alexander Murray was the inaugural moderator of the Associated Presbyterian Church.[2]

### Founding Ministers

[edit]

Around 13 serving ministers left the Free Presbyterian Church to form the APC denomination, as well as two others who were retired and Alexander Murray who had been suspended. These ministers include:[5][6][3][2]

* Rev. Douglas Beattie (Vancouver)[5][7]
* Rev. Donald Macaskill (Dundee)[5][6][3]
* Rev. George Macaskill (Dumbarton)[5][6][3]
* Rev. Donald A. Macdonald (retired)[7]
* Rev. Angus F. MacKay (retired)[6]
* Rev. Hamish Mackinnon (Oban)[5][6][3]
* Rev. Archie MacPhail (Lochinver)[3]
* Rev. Malcolm (or Calum)[2] MacInnes (Toronto)[5][6][3]
* Rev. Angus Morrison (Edinburgh)[5][6]
* Rev. Alexander Murray (Lairg)[2][7] [Had been recently suspended by the FPC, so had to be reinstated by the APC].[5][6]
* Rev. P. Lloyd Roberts (Applecross)[6]
* Rev. John Walter Ross (Lochcarron)[3][2][7]
* Rev. John Ross (Tain)[3][6]
* Rev. Robert Ross Sinclair (Wick)[6][3][7]
* Rev. Fraser Tallach (Kinlochbervie)[6][3]
* Rev. John A. Tallach (Aberdeen)[5][6][3]

## Doctrine

[edit]

The Associated Churches website states: "We believe that it is correct to allow Christians to make their own decisions on matters that are not fundamental to the faith."

The church's beliefs "are stated in a confession that is catholic, Reformed, and biblical, and which states the historic convictions of the Church of Scotland"[8] the Westminster Confession of Faith.[9]

## Churches

[edit]

Church  | Location  | Minister  | Web  | Founded

|
|
|
|

Dundee Presbyterian Church  | Dundee | Philip Ross  | Church website, Dundee Presbyterian Church |
Kingsview Christian Centre, Inverness  | Inverness, Highland | John Ferguson  | Kingsview Christian Centre, Inverness |
Oban APC  | Oban, Argyll and Bute | Vacant  | Oban Associated Presbyterian Church |
Stornoway APC  | Stornoway, Na h-Eileanan Siar | Jonathan Baxter  | Stornoway & Harris Associated Presbyterian Church website, Stornoway Associated Presbyterian Church | 1989

## International organisations

[edit]

The Associated Presbyterian Churches is a member of the World Reformed Fellowship.[10]

## External links

[edit]

* Associated Presbyterian Churches website
* Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The World Reformed Fellowship – Membership List". Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
2. ^ a b c d e f g "Church appeals to rebels to quit manses". The Herald. 29 June 1989. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "A verdict that divides brothers and their Church". The Herald. 26 May 1989. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
4. ^ "History « AP Church". apchurches.org. 24 August 2014.
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ministers break away from kirk as Mackay quits". The Herald. 27 May 1989. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Veteran takes list of rebel ministers to 14". The Herald. 30 May 1989. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
7. ^ a b c d e "Deceased Ministers and Probationers". Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
8. ^ "We Believe | Dundee APC". www.dundee.church. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
9. ^ "What we believe « AP Church". apchurches.org. 31 May 2015.
10. ^ "The World Reformed Fellowship – Membership List". Retrieved 14 June 2025.

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Members of the World Reformed Fellowship

Africa|

* Africa Evangelical Presbyterian Church
* Christian Reformed Church in South Africa
* Christian Reformed Church in Burundi
* Community Worship Presbyterian Church
* Covenant Reformed Church in Uganda
* Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Malawi and Mozambique
* Emmanuel Temple (Sinkor, Monrovia)
* Greater Grace Ministry (Kampala, Uganda)
* Gospel Peace Church of Egypt
* Holy Spirit Revival Church
* Igreja Presbiteriana de Angola
* King's Church (Kampala, Uganda)
* Kivu Presbyterian Church
* New Life Presbyterian Church
* Presbyterian Church in Uganda
* Presbyterian Church of Senegal
* Protestant Church of Ambrohimazala-Firasiana
* Raisin Power Baptist Church of Ethiopia
* Reformed Churches in South Africa
* Reformed Community of Katanga
* Reformed Presbyterian Church in Africa (Uganda)
* Reformed Presbyterian Church of Uganda
* Sudanese Reformed Presbyterian Churches
* United Presbyterian Churches of Congo

Asia|

* Bangladesh Presbyterian Church
* Bangladesh Evangelical Reformed Church of Bandarban, Tripura
* Biblical Reformed Churches in Myanmar
* Celitic Cross Ministry Dioceses of India
* Council of Reformed Churches of India
* Christian Reformed Church in Sri Lanka
* Christian Reformed Church in Myanmar
* Christian Reformed Fellowship of India
* Evangelical Reformed Church of Bangladesh
* Evangelical Reformed Church of India
* Grace Presbyterian Church of Bangladesh
* Malankara Evangelical Church
* India Christian Mission Church
* India Reformed Presbyterian Church
* Indonesian Reformed Evangelical Church
* Isa-e Church
* Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong)
* Presbyterian Church in India (Reformed)
* Presbyterian Church of Bangladesh
* Presbyterian Reformed Church in India
* Reformed Church of India
* Reformed Community Churches in Myanmar
* Reformed Evangelical Church of Myanmar
* Reformed Presbyterian Church of India
* Reformed Presbyterian Church in Myanmar
* Reformed Presbyterian Church North East India
* Smyrna House of Prayer Church
* Sutlej Reformed Church of Pakistan
* Telugu Baptist Church Council
* Thyatira Church Trust Bangladesh
* United Church of India

Europe|

* Associated Presbyterian Churches
* Free Church of Scotland
* Evangelical Reformed Baptist Churches in Italy
* Evangelical Reformed Church of Russia
* Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Poland
* Lithuanian Evangelical Reformed Church
* Reformed Free Church in Germany
* Reformed Presbyterian Church of Central and Eastern Europe

North America|

* Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
* Christian Reformed Church in North America
* ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians
* Église réformée du Québec
* Evangelical Presbyterian Church (United States)
* Evangelical Reformed Church in America
* Presbyterian Church in America
* United Episcopal Church of North America

Latin America|

* Christian Church Nations For Christ
* Presbyterian Community the Redeemer (Argentina)
* National Presbyterian Church in Mexico
* Orthodox Episcopal Anglican Church (Buenos Aires)
* Presbyterian Church of Brazil
* Presbyterian Church of Uruguay
* Union of Churches of the Christian Community of Haiti
* United Church of Christ in Colombia

Oceania|

* Grace Presbyterian Church of New Zealand
* Presbyterian Church of Australia
* Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia
* Westminster Presbyterian Church of Australia

* v
* t
* e

Religion in Scotland

Eras|

* Overview
* Prehistoric
* Medieval
* Reformation
* 17th century
* 18th century
* 19th century
* Contemporary

Events|

* Christianisation
* Cum universi
* Reformation Parliament
* Five Articles of Perth
* National Covenant
* Solemn League and Covenant
* Westminster Confession
* The Killing Time
* Glorious Revolution
* Marrow Controversy
* Patronage Act 1711
* First Secession
* Second Secession
* Great Disruption of 1843
* Catholic emancipation
* Tell Scotland Movement

Topics|

* Evangelical revival
* Freedom of religion
* Missions
* Music
* Popular religion
* Saints
* Sectarianism

Extant Christian
denominations|

* Associated Presbyterian Churches
* Baptist Union of Scotland
* Church of Scotland
* Congregational Federation
* Didasko
* Eastern Orthodoxy
* Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches

* Free Church of Scotland
* Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)
* Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
* International Presbyterian Church
* Latter-day Saints
* Methodist Church of Great Britain
* Oriental Orthodoxy
* Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland
* Roman Catholic Church
* Salvation Army
* Scottish Episcopal Church
* United Free Church of Scotland
* United Reformed Church

Historic Christian
denominations|

* Old and New Lights
* Anti-Burgher movement
* Associate Presbytery
* Bereans
* Buchanites
* Catholic Apostolic Church
* Covenanters
* Cameronian
* Engagers
* Kirk Party
* Evangelical Union
* Free Church of Scotland (1843–1900)
* Glasites
* Original Secession Church
* Relief Church
* United Presbyterian Church
* United Secession Church

Christian
ecumenism|

* Action of Churches Together in Scotland
* Iona Community
* Scottish Bible Society
* Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office

Non-Christian faiths|

* Baháʼí Faith
* Buddhism
* Hinduism
* Islam
* Judaism
* council
* Paganism (modern)
* Sikhism

Scotland portal

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* t
* e

Christianity in the United Kingdom

History of Christianity in Britain

England

| Eastern Christianity|

| Eastern Orthodox|

* Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe
* Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland (Antioch)
* Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain (Constantinople)
* Russian Orthodox Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe (ROCOR)
* Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh (Moscow)
* Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Britain and Scandinavia

|

Oriental Orthodox|

* Armenian Apostolic Church
* British Orthodox Church[a]
* Coptic Orthodox Church
* Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Catholic|

* Syro-Malabar Church
* Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Western Christianity|

| Catholic|

* Anglican Catholic Ordinariate
* Roman Catholic Church

|

Proto-Protestant|

| Hussite|

* Moravian Church

|

Protestant|

| Lutheran|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of England
* Lutheran Church in Great Britain[b]

|

Reformed|

| United|

* United Reformed Church

|

Presbyterian
(Main article)|

* Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales
* International Presbyterian Church

Congregationalist|

* Congregational Federation
* Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches
* Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches

Calvinistic Methodists|

* Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion

Anglican|

| Communion|

* Church of England[b]

|

Continuing|

* Diocese of the United Kingdom (ACC)
* Church of England (Continuing)

Realignment|

* Anglican Mission in England

Other|

* Free Church of England
* Open Episcopal Church

Anabaptist|

* Bruderhof Communities

Unitarian|

* General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
* Unitarian Christian Association

Baptist|

* Association of Grace Baptist Churches
* Baptists Together
* Gospel Standard Strict Baptists
* Old Baptist Union

Methodist|

* Church of the Nazarene
* Free Methodist Church
* Independent Methodist Connexion
* Methodist Church of Great Britain
* Salvation Army
* Wesleyan Holiness Church
* Wesleyan Reform Union

Plymouth
Brethren|

* Exclusive Brethren
* Open Brethren
* Plymouth Brethren Christian Church
* Needed Truth Brethren

Adventist|

* Seventh-day Adventist Church

Pentecostal|

| Holiness|

* Calvary Church of God in Christ
* Church of God of Prophecy
* New Testament Church of God
* Redeemed Christian Church of God

|

Finished
Work|

* Apostolic Church
* Assemblies of God
* Elim Pentecostal Church
* The Church of Pentecost

Neo-charismatic|

* Calvary Chapel United Kingdom
* Newfrontiers
* Vineyard
* Ichthus Christian Fellowship

Other|

* Quakers

Restorationism|

| Stone–Campbell|

* Churches of Christ
* International Churches of Christ

|

Latter Day Saint/
Mormon|

* The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England

Irvingism|

* Catholic Apostolic Church
* New Apostolic Church

1. ^ Not in communion with the other Oriental Orthodox Churches
2. ^ a b Part of the Porvoo Communion

Scotland

| Eastern Christianity|

| Eastern Orthodox|

* Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe
* Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain (Constantinople)
* Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh (Moscow)

|

Oriental Orthodox|

* British Orthodox Church[a]
* Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Catholic|

* Syro-Malabar Church
* Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Western Christianity|

| Catholic|

* Anglican Catholic Ordinariate
* Roman Catholic Church

|

Protestant|

| Lutheran|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of England
* Lutheran Church in Great Britain[b]

|

Calvinist|

| United|

* United Reformed Church

|

Presbyterian|

* Associated Presbyterian Churches
* Church of Scotland
* Didasko
* Free Church of Scotland
* Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)
* Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
* International Presbyterian Church
* Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland
* United Free Church of Scotland

Congregationalist|

* Congregational Federation
* Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches

Anglican|

* Scottish Episcopal Church[b]

Unitarian|

* General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
* Unitarian Christian Association

Baptist|

* Baptist Union of Scotland

Methodist|

* Church of the Nazarene
* Methodist Church of Great Britain
* Salvation Army
* Wesleyan Reform Union

Plymouth
Brethren|

* Exclusive Brethren
* Open Brethren
* Plymouth Brethren Christian Church
* Needed Truth Brethren

Adventist|

* Seventh-day Adventist Church

Pentecostal|

| Holiness|

* Redeemed Christian Church of God

|

Finished
Work|

* Apostolic Church
* Assemblies of God
* Elim Pentecostal Church

Neo-charismatic|

* Calvary Chapel United Kingdom
* Catch the Fire World
* Newfrontiers
* Vineyard

Other|

* Quakers

Restorationism|

| Stone–Campbell|

* Churches of Christ
* International Churches of Christ

|

Latter Day Saint/
Mormon|

* The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scotland

Irvingism|

* Catholic Apostolic Church
* New Apostolic Church

1. ^ Not in communion with the other Oriental Orthodox Churches
2. ^ a b Part of the Porvoo Communion

Northern Ireland

| Eastern Christianity|

| Eastern Orthodox|

* Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland (Antioch)
* Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Ireland (Constantinople)
* Russian Orthodox Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe (ROCOR)
* Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh (Moscow)

|

Western Christianity|

| Catholic|

* Roman Catholic Church

|

Proto-Protestant|

| Hussite|

* Moravian Church

|

Protestant|

| Lutheran|

* Lutheran Church in Ireland

|

Calvinist|

| Presbyterian|

* Evangelical Presbyterian Church
* Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster
* Presbyterian Church in Ireland
* Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland

|

Congregationalist|

* Congregational Union of Ireland

Anglican|

* Church of Ireland[a]

Baptist|

* Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland

Methodist|

* Church of the Nazarene
* Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches
* Methodist Church in Ireland
* Salvation Army

Plymouth
Brethren|

* Exclusive Brethren
* Open Brethren
* Plymouth Brethren Christian Church
* Needed Truth Brethren

Adventist|

* Seventh-day Adventist Church

Pentecostal|

* Christian Churches Ireland
* Elim Pentecostal Church

Neo-charismatic|

* Vineyard

Other|

* Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland
* Quakers

Restorationism|

| Stone–Campbell|

* Churches of Christ
* International Churches of Christ

|

Latter Day Saint/
Mormon|

* The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Northern Ireland

Irvingism|

* New Apostolic Church

1. ^ Part of the Porvoo Communion

Wales

| Eastern Christianity|

| Eastern Orthodox|

* Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe
* Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain (Constantinople)
* Russian Orthodox Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe (ROCOR)
* Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh (Moscow)

|

Oriental Orthodox|

* British Orthodox Church[a]
* Coptic Orthodox Church
* Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Catholic|

* Syro-Malabar Church
* Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Western Christianity|

| Catholic|

* Anglican Catholic Ordinariate
* Roman Catholic Church

|

Protestant|

| Lutheran|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of England

|

Calvinist|

| Presbyterian|

* Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales

|

Congregationalist|

* Congregational Federation
* Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches
* Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches
* Union of Welsh Independents

Methodist|

* Presbyterian Church of Wales

Anglican|

* Church in Wales[b]

Unitarian|

* General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
* Unitarian Christian Association

Baptist|

* Baptists Together
* Baptist Union of Wales
* Old Baptist Union

Methodist|

* Methodist Church of Great Britain
* Salvation Army

Plymouth
Brethren|

* Exclusive Brethren
* Open Brethren
* Plymouth Brethren Christian Church
* Needed Truth Brethren

Adventist|

* Seventh-day Adventist Church

Pentecostal|

* Assemblies of God
* Elim Pentecostal Church

Other|

* Newfrontiers
* Quakers

Restorationism|

| Stone–Campbell|

* Churches of Christ
* International Churches of Christ

|

Latter Day Saint/
Mormon|

* The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wales

Irvingism|

* New Apostolic Church

1. ^ Not in communion with the other Oriental Orthodox Churches
2. ^ Part of the Porvoo Communion

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States

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