At that meeting one hundred and twenty one ministers and seventy three elders, led by Dr. David Welsh, as outgoing Moderator of the Church of Scotland, read a protest to the General Assembly and then left.

Lesmahagow and the surrounding area were not unaffected by the politico-religious turmoil following the 1603 Union of the Crowns and the events of the 17th century.

There are other Christian congregations in Lesmahagow and surrounding area: Notably one of the Scottish Open Brethren, namely the Hope Hall, who meet and worship in the village.

Sharing a common understanding of the word of God and the basis for the Christian faith, the Hope Hall and Abbeygreen have a close relationship.

Abbeygreen being Presbyterian rather than congregational in outlook retains an informal relationship with the Hope Hall for mutual support of the Christian witness in Lesmahagow.

[41][42] Born in 1810 and licensed to the ministry on 2 October 1833 he came to Lesmahagow from ministering at Levern, Barrhead, near Glasgow until 28 February 1839.

Dr. Parker arrived in the village just prior to the events of 1839 and 1842 which brought the issues relating to patronage so sharply into focus for the people of Lesmahagow.

[46] This formation of a session was to benefit the people of Lesmahagow who worshipped with the Carluke congregation and to allow them to call a minister.

Robert Cordiner was called to the charge in 1846, being ordained on 16 March 1847 and the congregation flourished under his ministry, paying off debt and securing suitable, more modern, manse accommodation for the minister.

John Lewars on 20 March 1895 who served the congregation until he was released due to a call to another charge on 31 July 1900.

Despite this refusal, the "Burgher" congregation, now part of the Church of Scotland, continued to worship in its own building with the Rev.

This situation in Lesmahagow was not unusual and represents a typical picture of events in various parts of Scotland where the will of congregations, in their requests to call ministers of their choosing, were overturned by land-owners (or "lay-patrons") supported by both the general assembly and presbyteries of the established church.

Therefore, nationally, in the run up to 1843, the issues relating to patronage continued to be contested within the Church of Scotland and positions became ever more entrenched.

At that meeting, many of the congregation subscribed to support ministers faithful to the Word of God and the independence of the Church of Jesus Christ from state or worldly interference in its spiritual matters.

[68] Intending to begin an exposition in the Book of Exodus, Dr. Parker declared "I can no longer continue in connection with an establishment which has virtually denied the Kingly office of Christ, and submitted its spiritual jurisdiction to the control of Caesar".

[71] The new congregation had no property, building or land and faced strong opposition from a number of villagers and local landowners.

The minister, being homeless,[74] eventually found a house to rent at Netherfauldhouse,[75][76] about 3.5 miles south east of Lesmahagow.

Being a good summer, the congregation worshipped in the open air throughout the summer, attracting interest from the people of nearby Douglas, Rigside, Douglas Water and Coalburn, a situation which continued for some time, as open air preaching continued here even after the building of Abbeygreen Church was completed.

Mr James Brown of Auchlochan negotiated a plot of land, immediately west of the Glebe fields, from the Duke of Hamilton and the foundation stone of a new church building was laid in August 1843.

Following communication of the decisions of the first Presbytery meeting, the North Church congregation decided to hear the Rev.

[90][46][91] The transfer was completed on 4 March 1844 and the ministry was shared between Ponfeigh and Lesmahagow North Church for a time until moderation was granted on 28 April 1845.

After completion of the building, the congregation of Abbeygreen immediately organized Sabbath day (Sunday) and regular Schools with supporting libraries,[98] and built the church manse[99][83] later in 1844.

Dr. Parker continued as minister of Abbeygreen until 1854 when he was called to the Free Church congregation of Wellpark in Dennistoun, Glasgow.

Mr Laing continued as the minister in Abbeygreen until 25 February 1872 when he preached his farewell sermon on his translation to Glasgow-West Free Church,[116] thereafter to Bermondsey London and on 26 September 1878, to Stonehouse,[117] Lanarkshire.

The Church of Scotland having been reconstituted to honour the principles of the Disruption, through the abolishment of patronage, in 1874, and by further Acts of Parliament in 1921 and 1925.

The sessions united and a congregational board was formed, with the last meeting of the old Deacons Court of Abbeygreen taking place on 1 July 1941.

The first meeting of the final constitution of Lesmahagow-Abbeygreen Church of Scotland, the session and congregational board, took place on 7 July 1941.

The heritable properties and capital assets of the church are held by a charitable limited company; Abbeygreen Ministries Trust.

In this case reference is given to the physical books: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland 1843-1900, edited by William Ewing, Volumes 1 & 2, pub.

The reference provided is to the catalogue entry of the New College Library, 40 George Square, Edinburgh and to the volume and pages for the specific information.