1800’s – The Meeting House

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The Dunfermline Press was first issued on 21st April 1859. It was founded by the local linen merchant, Erskine Beveridge, who was Provost of Dunfermline for the year 1853. The newspaper articles are a valuable archive of information about local affairs in North Queensferry.

Robert Robertson

Robert Robertson succeeded Erskine Beveridge as Provost of Dunfermline, from 1854 to 1860.

Robert Robertson was a linen merchant; living in Dean Cottage, North Queensferry. The 1861 census lists him as age 59 “Master Linen and Woollen Draper – employs 3 men & 8 boys” born in 1802 in Kinross; living with his wife Susan (age 52 born 1809 in Dunfermline) sons George (25 born 1836 in Dunfermline) and Robert (age 12 born 1849 in Dunfermline) and a servant Hanna Whyte (age 21 born 1840 in Crossgates.)

This portrait of Provost Robert Robertson hangs in Pittencrieff House in Dunfermline

He succeeded Erskine Beveridge as Provost of Dunfermline, from 1854 to 1860.

Along with his neighbours, Col. and Mrs Elder of St Margaret’s, Mrs Douglas (widow of a deceased banker) of Craigdhu, and John Anderson, the local school teacher, Robertson took an active interest in the welfare of the village.

The Meeting House

In 1855, Robertson purchased a former inn, and founded a “Meeting House” for the village. Over the following years this was known as the Meeting House, Preaching Station and finally the Mission Hall.

From the Dunfermline Press Thursday Aug 11 1859: “There is only one place of worship in the village. As yet no special edifice has been constructed for this purpose, the present meeting-house, indeed, having formerly answered the purpose of an inn. The church here is un-denominational. Preaching is very ably supplied by Mr Howat, who, we may be allowed to judge, is quite a favourite with his by no means indiscriminating charge. This preaching station is under the patronage and support of Provost Robertson. Before he provided this accommodation, the people were under the necessity of crossing the ferry, and going to Inverkeithing every Sunday for public worship. Now, however, while the meeting place affords seating for a congregation of about 200, scarcely one individual prefers going to other side, and few seek to go to the church in Inverkeithing. A Sabbath school is held in the school-room, and is taught by a few young persons in the place.”

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