An informal link between Dundee Parish Church (St Mary’s) and St Stephen’s and West Church in Broughty Ferry comes to fruition this week when Dundee Presbytery will formalise the arrangement at a joint service tomorrow in St Stephen’s and West.
St Mary’s dates back to the 12th century and St Stephen’s and West became part of the established Church of Scotland in 1875.
They entered into a partnership about two years ago after the kirk session of St Mary’s decided to reach out to the Broughty Ferry congregation which had been without a minister for several years.
At one time St Mary’s ran mission stations at Drumgeith and Blackscroft.
St Stephen’s and West Church was formed when St Stephen’s Church united with the West Church in Broughty Ferry.
The present partnership came in response to the current problems faced by the Church of Scotland and the shortage of ministers across the country.
St Mary’s session felt it could help St Stephen’s and West and also the church in general by forming a link with what elders felt was a like-minded congregation and be able to continue its Christian witness in the centre of the city.
Members of the two churches have been getting to know one another by supporting events in each another’s churches.
Both churches will retain their individual identities under the new arrangement.
The Rev Keith Hall, minister at St Mary’s, will be introduced as minister of the linked charge at the service at 7pm on Thursday.
On Sunday there will be a joint service in St Stephen’s and West Church at 11am, when the guest preacher will be the Very Rev Dr James A Simpson, a former moderator of the General Assembly.