In the years since, the ministers and elders of these congregations endeavoured to uphold
the everlasting gospel. However, following a series of church unions they became more or less
isolated and as it was unsatisfactory to continue in such isolation eventually a link was established
with the Free Church of Scotland.
This church is Presbyterian in government and the congregations on Prince Edward Island,
at present, form three pastoral charges united under one Presbytery. The next superior body is
the Synod of North America.
The members of these churches have differing ethnic backgrounds although, perhaps, the
majority would be descended from the Scottish pioneer, many of whom came here in the early
part of the last century.
At the time of Donald MacDonald's death in 1867 the population of the church was
numbered in the thousands. Shortly thereafter, Rev. Mr. James MacColl spent a brief time
ministering to these people. In 1875, Rev. John Goodwill, a former missionary commenced a
lengthy ministry. Although there was not entire satisfaction with his preaching at first, a
widespread revival occurred in the latter part of his ministry and the church greatly strengthened.
During Mr. Goodwill's time some elders also conducted services beings set apart as preaching
elders. These elders included Ewen Lamont, George Bears, Elias Roberts, and John Compton.
Other early ministers were Rev. D. M. Campbell and Rev. William Campbell.
About 1890 Rev. Daniel MacLean was ordained and continued his ministry here until his
death in 1919. Rev. James MacDougall commenced his ministry in 1903 and laboured in the
Western charge until his death in 1922. Rev. Ewen MacDougall, a brother of the above, began
his ministry about 1907 and at first laboured in the Eastern Charge but following the death of his
brother his ministry was extended to included the Western Charge. In the Central parish Rev.
Donald Lamont ministered for a number of years following the death of Mr. MacLean. Several
other gave brief periods of supply including Mr. Westaway who was minister in the church in
Cambridge, Mass. for some years.
In 1937 Rev. MacDougall died. Rev. Galbraith then served in the churches for
approximately one year. During this time Rev. Harvey Bishop was a final year student in the Free
Church College in Edinburgh and commenced his ministry here in 1938. Except for an absence of
two years, he ministered throughout the Island until 1959. About 1950 Rev. Horace MacEwen
supplied the pulpits for a period of two years. In the 1950's and early 1960's there were a number
of ministers from Scotland who gave brief periods of supply in the Western and Eastern Charges.
At the present time there are three ministers labouring in the Presbytery of Prince Edward Island.
The Free Church of Scotland bears testimony to the Christian faith as stated in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the well known shorter catechism. As a church she steadfastly contends for a return to this faith of our fathers which rests upon the infallible and inerrant Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Such a return we earnestly look for as we enter the second century as a Province of the Dominion of Canada.
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Last Updated on April 30, 2001 by Jamie Aiken