The Parish of Blackford was formerly the Parish of Strageath founded by St Fergus in the eighth century.

The Church at Blackford on the hill was founded at the time of the Reformation and it’s first minister Alex Gall was inducted in 1574. The Parish name was changed to Blackford in 1617 by an Act of Parliament. The church on the hill was burned in the middle of the 18^th century and rebuilt but in 1858 it was no longer big enough and the present church was built in its place opening in 1859. The bell from the church on the hill is preserved in the present church and probably originally came from Strageath as the inscription on it is pre Reformation.

The former St Andrew’s Free Church was united with the Parish Church in 1950. The St Andrew’s Free Church figured prominently in the Disruption in 1843 and a number of merchants and parishioners met for worship in a stackyard. After worshiping in the open air for 13 consecutive Sundays without rain they concluded that the Lord was with them and they decided to build a church the foundation stone being laid on the first week in March 1844 and it was completed for Christmas, this building is now the local Blacksmiths.

Blackford was given it’s name according to legend when Queen Helen was washed away in the flooded river when crossing the ford with the king. The king ordered the lake which stretched right down the valley to Kinbuck be drained and when they found her body was found it was buried in a mound known locally as the Deaf Knowe.

Prior to the Second World War Blackford was famous for Boots and Beer and had three breweries and two boot factories and in fact most of the boots for the highland regiments in the First World War were made in Blackford. Between the two wars these two industries both went into decline and were closed down. After the Second World War the Tullibardine Distillery opened on the site of one of the breweries and today Blackford is famous for it’s mineral water with two companies bottling it for sale.

Information from Willie McLaren

Extract from the minute book of Blackford United Free Church 1843/45

( This article documents the founding of the Free Church and the reasons for the Disruption)

Blackford like many other Parishes felt the effects of the dark region of Moderatism in the Church of Scotland during the latter half of the last Century (18^th) fron the day when Sir Henry Moncrieff was translated to St Cuthberts, Edinburgh.

The darkness began to come down upon the Parish of Blackford. The Ministers who succeeded Sir Henry Moncrieff  were true Moderates of the old school and under their Ministry the parish fell asleep. People in general became careless,Sunk in Carnal Security and other indifference. The work of the Holy Spirit was denied, Conversion laughed at. Asking the prayers of the Congregation for the Sick considered an old Superstition, Ministerial visitation given up and Ministerial examination a mere mockery. The pure Gospel was never preached but in its stead a cold heartless morality.

Such was the state of the matters when the Evangelical party got the majority in the General Assembly held in Edinburgh in 1834 and the famous Auchterarder case came on. The time for the Lord to favour Zion had come.

In the spring of 1843 a deputation appointed by the General Assembly came to Blackford consisting of the Rev Mr Gibson from Glasgow,Rev Mr McAllister from Crieff and Rev Mr Carment from Comrie. They called a meeting of the inhabitants which was held in a school room and they explained the nature of the controversy then agitating the Church.

The first sermon that was preached by a Free Church minister was by the Rev Samuel Grant then in Ardoch, in the month of July 1843. He preached in the open air at a Saw Pit at the West end of the village of Blackford. There were sermons at the same place for fifteen consecutive Sabbaths and during all that time while the people were there assembled in the Worship of God, they never got a shower of rain.

Now the favour of the Lord began to be Manifested unto the people of Blackford,in giving them a free,full and faithfully preached Gospel.No more of that cold heartless morality,which may be well termed the weak and beggarly elements that they formerly got to live upon, but now the true doctrines of the Christ Jesus,the Son of God as a crucified Saviour held up as the Serpent was held up in the Wilderness to the Israelites, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have eternal life.

The Rev Samuel Grant preached two or three times before any other Minister came. He evidentently appeared to be the instrument raised up by God to show the people of Blackford that their duty was to come out of an Erastianized Establishment and be Separate.

During the summer of 1843 the Free Church Presbytery of Auchterarder supplied the people of Blackford with sermons. Mr Grant came on a week night and held a meeting for the purpose of forming an Association in connection with the Free Church of Scotland.

There were about a dozen names put down. Mr Grant and Rev G Smeaton of Auchterarder came one night and explained the principles of the Free Church.

Mr Grant came another night and strongly urged the building of a Church.

When the end of the year began to draw near and the weather cold and disagreeable it was proposed to rent Mr Eadie's large hall,and although he charged 5/- a day for it, the committee agreed to take it and it proved that fears of the people were groundless, for the rent was paid and something over.

As the principles of the Free Church appeared to be advancing among the people it was proposed in the summer of 1844 to celebrate the Lords Supper in Mr Eadie's hall. It was done and about 80 sat down to the Lords Table Rev S Grant presided on the occasion.

It was likewise resolved in the spring of 1844 to attempt the building of a Church, the people had many doubts and fears about succeeding in their attempt, but Mr Grant was ever at hand to encourage and strengthen them in the work.

Under God the people of Blackford are mainly indebted to Mr Grant for having the priveledge of a Free Church in the midst of them. The work got on far beyond their expectations and even a good number of Moderates gave cartage gratis.

In due time the Church was finished and it was opened on the last Sabbath of 1844 by the Rev Mr Drummond of Forgandenny. Mr Samuel Grant was appointed by the Free Church Presbytery of Auchterarder to take the Charge of the Congregation. The second communion was held in the new Church when upwards of 100 communicants sat down to the table of the Lord, Rev Samuel Grant again presiding.

In the Assembly of 1845 held in Edinburgh, Mr Grant being one of the commissioners an application was made to get Blackford elected into a Ministerial Charge. And here again the favour of the Lord was manifested in a very striking manner,for while every other place that was sanctioned that year was sanctioned on the condition of raising a certain amount to the Sastentation Fund, Blackford was sanction without any such condition.

Mr Donald came and preached twice in the Spring of 1845 with very great acceptance. A call was got up and unanimously signed calling him to be the Pastor to the Free Church Congregation of Blackford and as soon as the necessary forms could be got through he was inducted on 16^th October 1845.

The people in connection with the Free Church in Blackford in looking back to the Lord's dealings with them especially since the Disruption of 1843 may well adopt the language of the Psalmist and say.  Bless the Lord O' my Soul,and all that is within me Bless his Holy Name. Not unto us, Not unto us O Lord but unto thy name give glory,

(Inserted in 1852 by James Gloag Elder certified by Mr Donald 21^st May 1854)