The Relief Church in Balfron took its origin in 1793, when Mr. Jeffrey was
minister of the Parish Church. There was at that time a large importation of
artizans into the village to work at the new mills there, and as those of
them who belonged to the Relief Church would neither join the Parish
Churchmen or the Holm Anti-burghers, it followed that they must have a



48



HISTORY OF STRATHENDRICK



church of their own. After some years of rather irregular supply of ordinances
a church was built in 1797, and the Rev. James Logan, the first minister of it,
was ordained 8th March 1798. He was translated to St. Ninians 29th
November 1803. The Communion tokens of the congregation bear his initials.
The Rev. Decision Laing was the next minister. He was inducted 19th July
1804, and died in 1830. The Rev. Hugh Brown was the third minister. He
was ordained 23rd August 1832, and suspended from office and communion
5th December 1854. The Rev. James Robertson was the fourth minister of
this congregation. He was ordained 30th December 1856, and translated to
Edinburgh 27th March 1866. During his ministry the debt on the church was
paid off and a new manse built at a cost of ^^ 1000. The fifth minister was the
Rev. Thomas Dualop, who was ordained 23rd July 1867, and translated to Bristo
Street, Edinburgh, as colleague to Dr. Peddie, 2nd May 187 1. The sixth and
present minister is the Rev. James Lindsay, who was ordained 17th October 1871.
in. THE ASSOCIATE OR BURGHER CHURCH IN BALFRON.
