Breakaway church holds first services in the north

The historic first services of a new church denomination in the north of Scotland have taken place.

The tiny Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland (RPCS) was set up in Stornoway by worshippers who split from the Free Church in the aftermath of the row about introducing of hymns and music.

A small number, about 20, worshipped in the small Culrigrein meeting house at Manor Park, Stornoway, yesterday.

The establishment of the Stornoway Reformed Presbyterian fellowship was a low-key split - the breakaway worshippers previously attended Stornoway Free Church.

Rev David Karoon, who quit the Free Church over its radical departure from exclusive unaccompanied psalm-singing, preached two services and will return next weekend.

Until June, the Reformed Presbyterians had fewer than 100 members in Scotland and only two churches, in Airdrie and Stranraer.

Mr Karoon, who hails from Singapore, is the former pastor at Arran Free Church.

Last year a unique Plenary Assembly decided to break the Free Church of Scotland's tradition of instrument-free, psalm-only singing. Some 200 ministers and elders voted 98 to 84 in favour at the historic forum in Edinburgh four months ago - the first since the denomination was created in 1843.