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The 'Chapel of Ease' after enlargement in 1858 The history of Skelmorlie Parish Church, like the history of Skelmorlie itself, is modern. It does not date further back than 1853. Several of our members can still recollect when the houses in the district were very few. Skelmorlie Castle is of ancient date. The farm houses belong to the past. There was the old Kelly mansion, which has disappeared, and one or two villas that had been built in Wemyss Bay; but the difference between the Skelmorlie of sixty years ago and the Skelmorlie of to-day may be judged of from the fact that the only houses along the public road were a few thatched cottages used by the Kelly workmen and the old toll-bar that was built on the site where the present Post Office now
stands. In 1844 Beach House was erected, followed by several other villas; and ever since that date Skelmorlie has been increasing in population, with the occasional fluctuations that have been experienced by all sea-side resorts. Meanwhile, Wemyss Bay had been progressing in like manner, and it became evident that a Chapel of Ease would be necessary to meet the spiritual wants of the local population. The Church, from its earliest beginnings, has been the occasion of considerable controversy. In 1853 a discussion took place in the Greenock Presbytery regarding the proposed site. The Rev. Mr, Brown of Inverkip earnestly contended that the church should be built at or near the present village of Meigle; whereas the Rev. John Kinross of Largs held tliat it should be built so as to meet the convenience of the residenters both in Wemyss Bay and Skelmorlie. From the statistics given by Mr. Brown it appears that the population at that date consisted of 304 souls, of whom 40 were summer visitors, so that, even in 1853, the attractions of Skelmorlie had been discovered. Mr. Kinross, it should be added, stated the population at 350, but his reverend opponent declared, with considerable warmth, that Mr. Kinross had included in his census the crew of a yacht lying off the Skelmorlie shore and some drainers and roadmakers who had recently settled in the district. Mr. Brown's speech so far convinced the Presbytery that they unanimously came to the following finding : "The Presbytery, having heard the Rev. Mr. Brown of Inverkip relative to the motion of which he gave notice at last meeting, and having deliberated thereupon, find that the site upon which the Chapel of Ease in Largs parish is proposed to be built (that is the present site) is not the most eligible for the district where the place of worship is needed, and are of opinion that a chapel at or near Skelmorlie would better suit the exigencies of the parish". This deliverance is to us somewhat vague. But from the context it is obvious that Skelmorlie represents the district immediately in the neighbourhood of Skelmorlie Castle. The ground on which modern Skelmorlie is built was known in those days as the farm of Auchendarroch. Mr. Brown was so satisfied with the result of his speech that he had it printed, along with the deliverance of the Presbytery, and circulated among his people. It now forms a valuable historical document, and gives us an interesting glimpse into the workings of the ecclesiastical mind at tha.t period. Here then the matter rested for a time. Mr. Kinross was apparently silenced, and Mr. Brown was happy in the thought that the parish of Inverkip would be in no wise disturbed. |
