Melness Church Opening
July 31st 1902

Melness
The new U.F. (United Free) Church of Melness was opened on Friday by Principal Salmond of Aberdeen. Melness, (says the Tongue correspondent) is one of the few places in the Highlands where the union made no change, and the congregation is consequently one of the largest in the county. The New Church was begun by the late Rev. Cathel Kerr, and on Friday suitable reference was made to his ministry and that of his predecessor Rev. James Cumming The Church is a very comfortable and handsome building and reflects great credit on all connected with its erection. Most of the churches of the Presbytery have recently been renovated or rebuilt, and compare very favourably with churches of less remote districts. But it is in those days of small congregations and divided peoples, we cannot but look back with fond remembrance to the old buildings – large and unadorned – that were crowded every Sabbath with devout and pious worshippers.

Northern Times 1902.

N.B. 1) (United Free) My infomation and brackets.

2) The Northern Times is published on a Thursday so working back the actual opening date would have been Friday the 25th of July 1902.

3) There is no mention of the opening in the Presbytery Minutes and all the Congregational Board and Kirk Session Minute Books for Melness are missing. If you can help trace them please let me know.