Welcome to Blackford Parish Church

Welcome to the Blackford Parish Church website.

Public Worship during 2010 is at 10.00am and if you are passing through on a weekend, please feel welcome to drop in and join in our Sunday service. We are linked with Ardoch Parish. The Ardoch website is http://ardochparishchurch.org The history and background of the parish of Blackford, along with a list of ministers who have served the church since the Scottish Reformation of 1560, is documented elsewhere on this website. The minister, elders and members of the congregation hope you will enjoy reading about a parish that has seen many changes in Scotland and in its own surroundings, but which has dealt with these and remained faithful to its mission. It exists to proclaim the Gospel of the Sovereign Grace of God given to us in Jesus Christ, and to be the His Church guided by the Holy Spirit of God for the people of the parish. This fulfils part of the commitment of the Church of Scotland in terms of its Articles Declaratory of 1929 to provide a territorial ministry to throughout the entire country.

The church is traced to one of Strathearn’s Saints, Fergus, thought to have been of the Iona Abbey monks who established himself in this region around the 7th or 8th century. The present church building, opened in 1859 celebrates the 150th anniversary of its opening this year, but is the third church building of which we have a record. It, along with the entire village of Blackford, was torched by order of the Jacobite pretender to the British throne prior to the commencement of the battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715.

The population decreased with the decrease in the number of tenant farmers but was revived with the addition of new housing that brought new families. The Highland Spring factory and the new Visitor Centre have added to the community’s commercial life. Blackford Primary School has almost 50 pupils and has a formal link with Kobuin School in Uganda. The school attends church for a monthly assembly and for end of term services. If you have any questions or wish further information, please contact me either by telephone or e-mail as below. Thanks for visiting our website. Sincerely,The Minister of Ardoch with Blackford

Rev. Professor Stuart DB PickenOrder of the Sacred Treasure (瑞宝中綬章) MA (Hons), BD, Ph.D. FRAS Contact details:- Rev. Dr. Stuart DB PickenOrder of the Sacred Treasure (瑞宝中綬章)Minister of Ardoch with Blackford3 Millhill Crescent, GreenloaningPerthshire FK15 0LHTel: 01786-880217

e-mail: picken@eikoku.demon.co.uk